We had a great time checking out Mildura and surrounding areas and loved staying at the Buronga Caravan Park on the mighty Murray River. Awesome location to set up and go exploring from. See the previous post.
After collecting our maps and other information from the lovely ladies at the Mildura Visitor Information centre we took time to enjoy the free short movie about the Chaffey brothers. What a wonderful introduction into how Mildura became an irrigated oasis in the middle of such arid land. With the video fresh in our thoughts it gave us a great insight into how the town and surrounding agricultural blocks developed and it made a lot of sense as we went wondering around town.
The town itself has everything you could possibly think of in regards to shopping. Also on the outskirts of the original business area is a large shopping centre with again everything required under the one roof.
We loved the beautiful wide streets within town and especially Deakin Avenue with its wide green centre strip that runs the length of the Avenue. Town is very easy to get around as it was established by the Chaffey brothers as a grid development. You’re sure to not get lost.
If you’re a Holden car lover make sure you check out the Mildura Holden Motor Museum as it’s well worth a stop with some very unique Holden merchandise. Wow what a collection. It made us think back to our visits to Peak Hill and the old abandoned Holden’s at the GMH dealership………..mmmm these guys would love them.
We took a drive to the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens which at first glance looked quite dry. But then as we walked through the grounds we found there are many lovely areas to explore. The roses were gorgeous and I was very tempted to take a bunch home, but don’t worry I didn’t. Our favourite would have to be the vibrant display of the Sturt Desert Pea that were in full bloom.
From here we drove to the town of Wentworth. This is the junction where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet – Australia’s two longest rivers. The town is very cute and the council park beside where the rivers meet is gorgeous and a nice spot for a picnic.
The Mildura Wharf is another awesome place to visit. Lots of picnic areas, a couple of cafes, playgrounds and a beaut free Water Park for the kids. We decided to take the walk along the river which took us to pat the Mildura Weir, Lock 11 and to the Mildura Arts Centre where you can also see the very grand Rio Vista Historic House where one of the Chaffey brothers and his family lived. There’s also a sculpture park and café to enjoy. The walk was well worth the much needed exercise for both of us after our easy drive from Balranald.
When we got back to the car we decided to go and find the Mildura Homestead and had we realized where it is in relation to the walk we had just enjoyed we probably would have included it into the same walk. It was not too far away from Lock. But it was pretty hot too so it was nice driving in the air-con. Anyway it’s free to go into yet another very green park with quite a few old buildings to view from the outside. Driving back we went past the grand Rio Vista Historic House and decided to take a pic with Jeep in the driveway. Well we can dream, can’t we?
We had a fabulous time in and around Mildura as you will see from our pics and loved the many different cafes and restaurants in town where we enjoyed a couple of lunches and coffee stops.
Below are a list of others places we have visited that may be of interest to you:
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- Alice Springs NT to Broken Hill NSW
- Broken Hill to Sawtell – NSW
- Crossing the Nullarbor
- Free Camps – Broken Hill to Cobar -NSW
- NSW – Free camps, Donation camps, Showgrounds and Caravan Parks 2019
- Northern Territory – Free camps, Donation camps and Caravan Parks 2018/2019
- Queensland Road Trip 2017/2018
- South Australia to Western Australia 2019
- South Australia trip 2017/2018
- Victoria 2017/2018
- Western Australia Coastal Trip 2018
- WA’s Got the Lot 2019
Cheers
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme