On the edge of the outback and close to both NSW and South Australian borders. Mildura is a great place to visit and has activities for everyone including paddle steamer trips, water activities like canoeing and fishing, great walking trails along the Murray River, and some of the best weather in Victoria. Just 6 hour’s from Melbourne and 4 hour’s from Adelaide. There are also a few day trips that are worth heading out of Mildura for as well. Including Murray sunset national park, Red Cliffs, and Kings Billabong Park walking tracks.
King’s Billabong Park
Located just 20 minutes out of Mildura town is this beautiful wild life park right on the Murray river and Kings Billabong. The Billabong is 2154ha and is many different species of waterbirds. Including Whistling Kites and Swamp Harriers. Kings Billabong took its name from the indigenous word for still water – billabong, and its European name from Captain James King, who navigated the Murray River and its tributaries in the late 19th century.
The Billabong walking Trails
- Kings Billabong Lookout – Enjoy panoramic views over the Billabong and take a short 200m loop walk down to the water’s edge.
- Bird Hide Loop Walk – Beginning at the Billabong Walks Car park, this is an easy 3.5km loop track out to the Bird Hide. Although the Bird Hide is covered with reeds so you aren’t able to see much. But along the way, you will get views looking out to the billabong.
- Ducks Foot Lagoon Walk – This moderate 9.5km loop walk, also beginning at the Billabong Walks Car park,. Takes you around Duck’s lagoon and out to psyche Bend pumping station. You can also combine this walk with walking out to the bird hide loop circuit.
Walk along the Murray River
There are many walking trail’s along the Murray River and the best place to begin your walk or ride is from the Lock 11 carpark. From here you can walk/ride around lock Island, Head out to Apex beach and back along the woodland trail, or head out to the Mildura Marina. From Lock Island there is an easy 450 meter walk/ride out to the Old Mildura Homestead and a further 1.9km to Apex Beach one way or 4.7km return. From Apex beach you can walk/ride a further 2.9km along the river track and return along the Woodland track to Apex Beach.
Lock Island and Weir
The walk heads out to the Mildura weir pool hold’s up to 36,200 megaliters of water. The weir comprises of 24 steel trestles that individually weigh 11 tonnes! If you would like to find more about the history of the weir click Here. Lock Island has 15 ha of bushland. You can walk around the Island and past the weir around a 2km circuit.
The Mildura Marina
The walk/ride from Lock 11 Carpark is 2.5km one way out to the Marina along the river trail. Along the way, you will pass Rio Vista Park where you can walk through the Historic House which has been restored. You can wander through the house with information sheets checking out the furnished home for free. If you have children another great spot to stop at is the water play park. The marina is a great place to check out and get up close to many of the big houseboats, you can also hire a pontoon boat here from $200 for half a day. Click Here for more information. You can also enjoy Refreshments from the café with a view looking out over the Murray.
Orange World
Located over the river in NSW, it’s just a short drive to this 50-acre orange and mandarin farm. There is a small café and shop which anyone can visit. However, you come for one of the one-hour tours that run a few times a day. The tour is a informative tour around the farm on a tractor. The tour begins in the shed next to the shop with an introduction to the farm and the oranges and a demonstration of the orange sorting machine. You will the hop on the tractor for your tour around the farm. Tickets start from $15 for adult’s and $5 for children the tour goes for about an hour .Click Here for more information.
Australian Inland Botanical Gardens
Located near Orange World and just 10 minute drive from Mildura is the Australian Inland Botanical Garden. This Botanic Garden’s is unique among other botanic garden’s we have visited. It isnt all manicured lawns and gardens. Although there are some great garden areas (like the Rose Garden. There is also plenty of red dirt and scrubs which this area is known for. It’s an interesting place to explore. Entry to the garden is free.
Visit a Winery
Trentham Estate. overlooks the Murray River and has the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of wine tasting. There is also a restaurant where dine in or alfresco area are available.
Oak Valley Estate. Right in the heart of Mildura town. Oak Valley produces unique hand crafted wines and gourmet produce ranging from olive oil, pickles, jams and dried fruits. They offer Tuscan style cellar door and tasting area.
Vanden Estate. The estate is open Wednesday to Sunday. Wine tasting from 10am -5pm. They also offer indoor and outdoor dinning where you can grab some lunch. On there food menu they have cheese platter, trio of dips and a variety of pizza.
Fossey’s Distillery– This family-owned boutique gin distillery and tasting room. has a variety of infused gin’s to try from Rose Petal, Hot Cross Bun, Gin Toddy and even Christmas Pudding, Plus there’s single malt whiskey.
The Paddle Steamer
Head out on a cruise on a Paddle Steamer. The Cruise is a two hour cruise down through Mildura’s Lock 11 (and return). On the tour there will be live commentary, providing an educational insight on the Murray Darling River system and the history of the paddle boats. Tours go twice daily at 10:50am and 1:50pm. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday. Tickets start from $35 per adult. They also offer an evening cruise, Thursdays 7pm – 10pm. Which includes your choice from spit roast carvery with usual condiments, bread rolls, sweet selection, & Tea or Coffee. Tickets start from $70 per adult. Click Here for more information
Day trip out to Murray- Sunset National Park
Located 1 hour and a half from Mildura a day trip out to the national park to visit 4 beautiful Pink lakes is worth the drive. You can also camp at Lake Crosby if you prefer to spend the night at the pink lakes where you can witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets. There are 4 walking tracks in this area of the National park. Kline loop nature walk- 4.8km 2-hour circuit. Visiting the shores of Lake Crosby and Lake Kenyon. Lake Becking – 1.4km, 40 minutes circuit. Lake Hardy – 1.7km, 45 minutes circuit. Visit at sunrise or sunset (pinkest lake).
Camping at Merbein Common
This is a great campground located only 15 minutes out of Mildura. There is also plenty of walking tracks too. Camping in tents is allowed and dogs are also allowed. There is no portable water, but you can collect drinking water at Chaffey park reserve playground. There are public toilets located in the day-use area or there is a dump point in Mildura near the Tafe.
It’s a great free camp with many different campsites to pick from. It is best to park your vehicle and walk around the site’s before driving in as at some camping areas can be a bit tricky to turn around. You can walk along the winery track to the Merbein lookout. From the lookout, you can walk along the top giving beautiful views across the Murray River.
Red Cliff’s Scenic Reserve
Lookout and Boardwalk
Red cliff’s lookouts are located just 20 minutes from Mildura. The trail to the boardwalk is a short 10-minute one-way stroll out to the lookout. There is a staircase down and a hill when walking back up to the carpark. The walkout to the lookout is an easy 10-minute stroll out to the lookout and is a flat trail.