Mildura & Mungo National Park

An inland oasis city on the Murray River — cruise the river on a paddle steamer and taste local wines, then head out to Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area to see the "Walls of China" dunes.

Mildura lies on the south bank of the Murray River in the far northwest of Victoria, facing New South Wales across the river. It is an inland oasis city created in the late 19th century when the Chaffey brothers brought in irrigation, and it is surrounded by vineyards, citrus groves and almond orchards, earning it the name "Australia's food bowl". The climate is semi-arid and sunny: summer (Dec–Feb) often tops 40°C, while winter days are mild and nights chilly. The best times to visit are Mar–May and Sep–Nov.

There are roughly three areas to explore. First, the city and the Murray River: cruise on a century-old paddle steamer, visit Rio Vista Historic House and the Mildura Arts Centre, and dine around Langtree Avenue in the evening — the celebrity chef's restaurant in the cellar of the Grand Hotel is well known. Second, Wentworth, about 30 km west, where you can see the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers, the red Perry Sandhills and the old gaol. Third, Mungo National Park, about 110 km northeast, part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area; the "Walls of China" dunes and the 40,000-year-old Mungo Man site are the heart of any trip. Consider an Aboriginal-guided sunset tour, or stay a night at the park's campground or lodge to see the stars. To the south are the Hattah-Kulkyne wetlands and, further afield, the pink lakes.

Getting there: there are flights to Mildura from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, or it's about a 6-hour drive from Melbourne. Local public transport is limited, so you'll basically need a hire car. Roads to Mungo are mostly unsealed and close after rain — always check NSW National Parks road conditions in advance and carry plenty of water and fuel. Allow 3–4 days: one day for the city and a river cruise, half a day for Wentworth, and 1–2 days for Mungo. A note on time zones across the state border: Victoria and NSW are both on Eastern Time and observe daylight saving in sync, so there's no need to change your watch.

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Where to eat

Itineraries