In the far north-western corner of Victoria, on the banks of the mighty Murray River, you will find a jewel – Mildura.
Mildura Airport is the third busiest airport in the state of Victoria with flights to Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney leaving daily, bringing visitors to and from this bustling town for business and pleasure alike. Known for it’s shady tree-lined streets and its pleasantly warm weather all year round, Mildura is a place where you can really relax and unwind. Pick out your perfect hire car at the Airport and take advantage of the many attractions on offer.
With a gourmet reputation to defend, Mildura is a haven for fresh produce – citrus fruits, grapes (they supply eighty percent of all of Victoria’s grapes) and of course wine are the stars here. The lazy pace of the Murray River sees relaxation being the aim for most visitors – it’s simply impossible to stay stressed when you’re surrounded by such a bounty of local food and pleasant scenery.
Once essential for transport and trade, Mildura’s fleet of Paddlesteamers now exist solely for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike - you can board the P.S. Melbourne for a cruise with commentary or the P.V. Rothbury for a dining and wine tasting experience you won’t soon forget. The river has plenty of other options too – from little paddleboats to comfortable Houseboats you can make your home for a few nights, letting the gentle swell of the river rock you to sleep under the stars.
Mildura has had many periods of grand prosperity in its colourful history, and you can see plenty of evidence of this in the grand monuments and stately buildings lining the main streets of the town. Filled with local history museums, galleries, boutiques and an impressive array of fine dining options you will find them well worth exploring. When your tummy starts to rumble, head to “Feast Street” (the section of Langtree Avenue between 7th Street and 8th Street) for a vast array of bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from – their fierce competition will see you snapping up local delicacies at budget-pleasing prices.
Mildura is an excellent base from which to enjoy numerous day trips and adventures around this beautiful region. Visit nearby Buronga for a slice of citrus flavoured Australiana Kitch at Orange World – it’s quirky retro vibe is sure to charm you. If historical sites are more your scene, Wentworth is just over the border – with Old Wentworth Gaol full of exciting stories of the colonial era both grisly and inspiring in equal measure. For some scenic contrast to the green and lush banks of the Murray, head out to the Perry Sandhills – a stark and beautiful windswept Desert that will make you think you’ve travelled much further than you have! Take a slide down some dunes if you dare. To refresh you can head back towards town to the beautiful Trentham Estate, one of the areas most spectacular wineries – with fine dining and an enviable cellar door showcasing all the gourmet treats of the area. Motoring fans will enjoy a visit to the Mildura Holden Motor Museum – after admiring the vintage vehicles you’ll be pleased to hop back into your modern Hertz rental car for the next stage of your journey.
With the freedom of a hire car, you’ll be able to visit all the quirky shops and galleries that this area is dotted with to your hearts content. Why not drop in at Woodsies Gem Shop – in addition to the crystal gallery they have a garden maze, an Aladdins Cave of treasures and demonstrations of stone cutting, grinding and jewellery casting to enjoy.
You’re sure to enjoy your meandering adventures in and around Mildura in your comfortable hire car.
