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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. |