RACV praise for Mildura road trips

MILDURA has been named as one of the Victoria’s most underrated travel destinations.

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria said Mildura offered an outback road trip without leaving the state.

“You might know the region for its long history of citrus agriculture (and a visit to Orange World is always a fun day out for the family), but the red earth is just as good for producing viticulture grapes with wineries like Trentham and Oak Valley some of the top to visit,” the motoring organisation said.

“Head out for a tour of the Murray on a paddlesteamer or really go bush with a day out in Murray-Sunset National Park (where if the season is right, you can see pink lakes) or over the border to Mungo National Park, where you can visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Australia.”

RACV said Swan Hill was also a sanctuary for water and nature lovers and just a few hours’ drive from Mildura.

“Mildura is also a haven for gastronomes – top restaurants to visit include Stefano’s Restaurant for upmarket Italian, Andy’s Kitchen for fun, fresh Asian cuisine in a tropical-themed venue, or Brass Monkey for the kind of coffee and cafe fare that wouldn’t be out of place in Fitzroy.”

Other regions nominated by the RACV were French Island, Clunes, Cobram, Port Fairy, The Otways hinterlands and Gippsland Lakes region.

The motoring organisation also highlighted Mildura and the Murray-Sunset National Park as among the best places to stop on a road trip along the Calder Highway.

“Called the Food Bowl of Australia thanks to its fertile land and Mediterranean-like climate, Mildura is on the banks of the mighty Murray River and is the starting point of the Calder Highway,” the RACV said.

“This established rural route connects Mildura and the Victoria/New South Wales border to Bendigo, with the Calder Freeway extension taking you into Melbourne proper.”

It said water-based adventure activities are abundant, while Mildura Arts Centre presented “a rich cultural scene” with a top-rated art gallery, performing arts theatre, and sculpture park.

“To see nature’s creativity, discover the diverse flora at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens,” it said.

“Dining in Mildura is as much a top attraction as the town’s activities and vibrant arts scene.

“Grab picnic treats at the Sunraysia Farmer’s Market and local artisanal stores, feast at a paddock-to-plate restaurant, or head to one of the region’s 250 wineries and cellar doors.

“Wherever you go, your tastebuds will thank you in this underrated travel destination.”

The motoring group described the Murray-Sunset National Park as one of northern Victoria’s “most impressive natural wonders”.

“Victoria’s largest national park, it’s traditional country of the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri peoples.

“Here, discover the phenomenon of the Pink Lakes (weather and water conditions dependent).

“Thanks to the unique algae present, these four salt lakes can turn shades of pink, from baby pink to flamingo.

“Visit at sunrise, sunset, or under a moonlit sky for the best photographs.

“The Pink Lakes are also home to kangaroos, emus, reptiles, and birds, plus hundreds of salt-tolerant plant species.”

It said that while Murray-Sunset National Park has plenty of camping areas, those preferring to book accommodation could use Ouyen as their base.