Road trip: Broken Hill to Mildura

After standing empty for many years during the drought, Menindee Lakes are now full to near-record levels. That has meant an incredible influx of wildlife and waterbirds.

The road from Broken Hill will take you between two of the largest lakes; stop off to see the water rushing over the dam wall. In Menindee, stop for lunch at the historic Maidens Hotel. Ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills camped here in 1860 before they set off into the outback, never to be seen again. 

You’ll be spending the night in Pooncarie, a tiny village that was once a bustling river port. If you have a few days to linger, it’s also the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park, with its striking lunar-like landscape and ancient Indigenous sites. 

The Pooncarie ‘Telegraph’ Hotel is just 150 metres from the river and has been welcoming weary travellers since 1879. It promises cold beer, good food and quiet accommodation.

Residing on the banks of the Murray River on the Victorian side of the Murray Darling Wine Region, Mildura is an agricultural haven. Earning its title as the “food bowl of Australia” after recording the highest agricultural output in the nation, grapes have topped the list as one of the leading crops of the region. 

The whole of the Murray Darling Wine Region boasts an ideal warm climate that produces soft, fruity wine varieties like chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, as well as emerging Mediterranean styles. Trentham Estate is one of the few wineries on the NSW side of the border and the cellar door opens at 10am, the perfect hour for a glass of their light and lively prosecco.

Mildura itself has a dozen or so wineries to choose from, so there’s plenty of variety. Chateau Mildura was founded in 1888 by the Chaffey brothers, a Canadian pair who founded the region’s first irrigation scheme. Today, Chateau Mildura is home to Psyche bend pumps, a historical and working irrigation pump system, created by the Chaffey brothers.

Other cellar doors to visit include the pretty Tuscan-style Oak Valley Estate, boutique Monak Wines and Vanden Estate – stick around for a cheese platter on the lawn. If you’re short on time, the Sunraysia Cellar Door in the centre of town stocks more than 250 wines from 22 local vineyards.

Mildura’s fresh local produce is at the heart of its culinary scene. Take Langtree Avenue, for example, a leafy tree-lined street that the locals have ordained as Feast Street. Trees aren’t the only attractions lining this stretch of road, with rows of Mildura’s iconic eateries and restaurants saturating the space.

There are plenty of delicious dinner options here, but it’s hard to go past Stefano’s, set inside the cellars of the historic Grand Hotel. Serving traditional Italian cucina povera cuisine, it’s all about authentic flavours that hero exceptional local produce.