Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia, part of the Rural City of Mildura. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at 50,042.

Mildura is a major agricultural centre notable for its grape production, supplying 80% of Victoria's grapes . Many wineries also source grapes from Mildura.

Its name, taken from the Mildura homestead, an early sheep station which covered most of the area.

The nearby towns of Wentworth, Gol Gol, Curlwaa and Yelta sprang up in the mid-to-late 19th century. In the 1890s came the scourge of the rabbit. This devastated the sheep farmers, especially south of the Murray. There was also a financial recession at this time. Combined, these factors restricted growth of the new settlement.

After this period, the new settlement grew and grew. It was soon the main town of the district. Suburbs and new satellite towns sprang up. From the 1920s, a number of 'suburban' train services were established to Merbein and Red Cliffs. These were operated by railcars.

Post war Mildura experienced a large influx of migrants particularly from Mediterranean countries including Italy and Greece. Many of these migrants were attracted by the unskilled labour offered by the fruit picking industry.

In 1934 Mildura was officially proclaimed a city

Mildura is situated on flat land without hills or mountains on the southern bank of the Murray River and surrounded to the west, north and east by lakes and billabongs including Lake Hawthorn, Lake Ranfurly and Lake Gol Gol. Several towns surround Mildura on the flat plains including Merbein to the west as well as Irymple and Red Cliffs to the south which could be considered suburban areas or satellite towns separated by small stretches of open farmland.

While the land along the river and irrigation channels is fertile, much of the land around Mildura is also dry, saline and semi-arid.

Mildura is a largely low-rise and low density urban area that is overwhelmingly dependent upon private automobiles for transportation. Residential dwellings consist almost solely of single-family detached homes on relatively large allotments. The population has been growing rapidly for several decades and most of the residential growth has occurred in the south-western and southern parts of the urban area.

The central business district is located at the northern end of the urban area, fronting onto the Murray River. The main shopping street of Mildura is Langtree Avenue, which features a pedestrian mall and shopping centre. However this shopping precinct competes with the Centro Mildura shopping centre, located at the opposite end of the urban area on the corner of Fifteenth Street and Deakin Avenue. Fifteenth Street is also the main strip of big box stores and other commercial enterprises.

The tallest buildings are the two storey 1934 Old Mildura Base Hospital, two storey Marina Dockside apartments completed in 2010 and the three storey tower/spire of the 1920s T&G building.

Mildura means 'red earth' in Latje Latje.

Known as the center of Victoria's Food Bowl, most of Australia's dried fruit, grapes, citrus, almonds, pistachios, olives, carrots, and asparagus are grown in the Mildura region.

Mildura is part of the 'fruit fly exclusion zone'; thus it is illegal to bring fresh fruits and vegetables from outside the region into Mildura. Random roadblocks are set up to detect violations, which can result in fines up to AUS $20,000.

The first wine grape varieties planted in Mildura included Mataro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordo and Shiraz, planted in 1888. The first vintage was established in 1891.

What to Do & See
Have a beer and watch how it's made at a the Mildura Brewery in the former Astor Theatre.

Take in the art and culture of the Mildura Region at the Mildura Regional Art Gallery. The gallery showcases works by local artists and houses a permanent collection of works by anglo-Irish artist Sir William Orpen and a number of important Australian artists. The gallery is connected to the stately home of W.B. Chaffey, one of the brothers who came from the United States to develop the irrigation structure of Mildura. His home, called 'Rio Vista' was built from 1889 to 1891 and was occupied by the Chaffey family until 1950, when it was offered for sale to the Mildura City Council.

Watch car and motorcycle racing at the Mildura Speedway.

Shop at Mildura's many fine boutiques in the town center.

Stroll through the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, with its large rose garden, display of salt-tolerent local flora, rock garden, and exotic plants separated into geographical zones. The Gardens are located on River Road, Buronga, just two kilometers from Mildura. Enjoy local produce at the Sunraysia Farmers' Market every other weekend in the Gardens.

Play golf (or miniature golf) at one of over half a dozen golf courses in the region. Some are near the city center, others lie on the banks of the Murray River. All offer a distinct golfing experience.

Experience the beauty of Mildury from the air with a hot air balloon ride by the Murray River, a scenic helicopter ride, or a private tour on a twin engine plane. The chartered helicopter or plane may also be used to reach destinations such as wineries and national parks.

Enjoy one of Mildura's many festivals, races, and other special events.

Centro Mildura’s extensive redevelopment in 2005 has positioned the centre as the major shopping destination within the Sunraysia region. Centro Mildura is also the only fully enclosed, air-conditioned centre in this area and offers a strong retail mix including representation from a number of key national fashion stores. Serving a primary trade area population of 60,000 residents, Centro Mildura also attracts consumers from beyond the trade area including the Riverland, Swan Hill, Robinvale and Broken Hill.

Mildura is on the intersection of the Sturt Highway from Adelaide to Sydney, and the Calder Highway to Melbourne via Bendigo. Deakin Avenue, the main street of Mildura, is known as the longest straight avenue in Australia, at 12.1 km . Sunraysia Bus Lines, Swan Hill Bus Lines and Dysons Bus Services operate V/Line bus services that connect Mildura to various parts of Victoria and southern New South Wales. Greyhound Australia run buses to Adelaide and Sydney via Canberra. Countrylink run buses to Sydney. The Henty Highway Bus Service runs buses to Horsham.

Mildura has a railway connection to Melbourne, which is used for freight transport. In May 2006, it was announced that the Mildura line would receive a $73 million upgrade using gauge convertible sleepers.

Mildura Airport is the third busiest airport in Victoria, serviced by four QantasLink flights daily to Melbourne, four Regional Express flights to Melbourne, and two Sharp Airlines flights daily to Adelaide. Virgin Blue has one flight per day in each direction between Melbourne and Mildura.

..