Mildura off-road tour team on a winner

AFTER just two and a half years in operation, Mildura’s Murray Offroad Adventures is in the running for its third tourism award.

While it remains a secret who nominated husband and wife Peter and Jeanie Kelly for the RACV’s People’s Choice: Best Victorian Tourism Experience or Service award, the pair could not be more thrilled.

The relatively new business stemmed from a love of the outdoors coupled with an extensive knowledge about local sites and a desire for a change from their long careers.

“Peter was looking at retiring from a government job where he was giving tours for Mallee Catchment Management Authority, so it was a natural progression,” Mrs Kelly said.

“I was a teacher looking for something different and we loved camping and getting out in the bush, and Peter’s knowledge and whole life-work experience ran very deep.”

The pair takes small groups on half and full-day tours to locations across the region, but it is both a learning and teaching experience for the hosts, according to Mrs Kelly.

“They’re very personalised and very flexible tours, we do whatever the customers want,” she said.

“Hattah is our most popular tour and we also get a lot of bird watchers and bookings for Murray Sunset-National Park, Millewa Pioneer Village, Neds Corner Station and along the river.

“It’s a great way to meet people and learn about other countries.”

She said much of the couple’s clientele visits friends and family of Mildura residents, with some interstate and overseas guests.

“International visitors is a slowly growing one, but we have had people from each continent … that’s something we’re trying to push with our business.”

Earlier this year, the business took home a gold award at the Murray Regional Tourism Awards as the top tour operator, having won the same category in 2018.

As part of their current nomination, the couple will head to a gala awards evening in November, where they will be up against nominees including Sea Lake Tyrrell Tours, Falls Creek All Seasons Resort, Eureka Sky Deck and Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium.

The winner will be chosen by the public, with voting closing at 5pm on October 31.

To vote, visit racv.com.au/peopleschoice.