Melbourne to Mildura

Stretching just over 570 kilometres, this route covers some of the quaintest country towns between Melbourne and Mildura. Starting at the rural township of Marong, the route passes through towns including Bridgewater, Charlton, Wycheproof, and Sea Lake before finishing up in Ouyen, just an hour shy of Mildura. Get a taste of history, wine, and culture (even some of Victoria's best vanilla slices) all in one - this road trip is fascinating from every angle!

Your trip at a glance Marong The Marong Family Hotel Marong General Store & Take Away Sandhurst Ridge Winery Bridgewater on Loddon Water Wheel Vineyard Bridgewater Bakehouse Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery Museum Inglewood Melville Caves Wedderburn Coach House Museum General Store Museum Birds Eye View Murals Beggary Hills Charlton Rex Theatre Charlton Courthouse Gallery Charlton Golden Grains Museum Charlton Art Trail Wycheproof Bakery on Broadway Mt Wycheproof Birchip Solider’s Memorial Park Big Red Mali Heart Street Art Sharp’s Bakery Tchum Lake Nullawil Nullawil Silo Art Auchmore Heritage Museum Iron Man Sculpture TrickBots Sea Lake Lake Tyrell Sea Lake Visitor Information Centre Sea Lake Silo Art Skymirror Gallery The Royal Hotel Sea Lake Ouyen Big Mallee Root Stump Victoria Hotel Ouyen Mallee Bakery Mildura Hattah Roadhouse Big Lizzie Mildura Visitor Information Centre

Marong

Travel time: 1 hour & 59 mins
Distance: 186km from Melbourne

You first major stop on the Calder Highway is at the friendly little town of Marong. Situated only 13 kilometres west of Bendigo, Marong serves a community of around 1,400 people. The Marong Family Hotel (26 High Street, Marong VIC) offers respite to weary travellers, with icy cold beverages and classic pub meal, while the Marong General Store & Take Away (25 High St, Marong VIC) across the road lets you stock up on the essentials. It’s also worth a visit to Sandhurst Ridge Winery (Forest Drive, Marong VIC), a family owned and operated boutique winery producing award-winning wines since 1995. Make sure to head into the cellar door and sneak in a tasting (or two).

Insider tips

• Help us keep Fruit Fly out! To help protect fruit and vegetables growing in our region, we are protected by the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (VIC/NSW). Find out more on the Australian Interstate Quarantine website or contact 1800 084 881.
• When planning your trip to Mildura, we want to see you to arrive safely. Ensure that you plan a TAC Pause Stop to rest and recharge. There are SES Driver Reviver sites located at Marong and Ouyen.
• Make sure your phone and camera are charged so you don’t miss an amazing shot!

Bridgewater on Loddon

Travel time: 15 mins
Distance: 23km from Marong

There are no prizes for guessing that Bridgewater on Loddon sits on the banks of the Loddon River. Once the crossing point for gold diggers, today it is a fantastic destination for visitors wishing to explore the region. Wander around the village, browse through speciality stores. Another winery to add to the list, spend a bit of time at the Water Wheel Vineyard (Bridgewater-Raywood Road, Bridgewater on Loddon VIC) which has the reputation for creating some of the most exciting wines in the Loddon Valley. Before you leave, don’t forget to grab yourself a vanilla slice from the award-winning Bridgewater Bakehouse (6 Main Street, Bridgewater on Loddon VIC) for the long drive ahead!

Inglewood

Travel time: 6 mins
Distance: 8km from Bridgewater on Loddon

The first thing you’ll fall in love with Inglewood is the gold era streetscape as your drive up the main street. Once you make your way out of the car, you’ll quickly find plenty to capture your heart in this little highway town. The grand historic buildings of Inglewood stand as testament to the wealth that flooded into this area. Today antiques and collectible stores are clustered amongst the exquisite buildings and historic shopfronts. On the edge of town is the Eucalyptus Distillery Museum Inglewood (20 Grant Street, Inglewood VIC), a fully operating Eucalyptus distillery with an insightful museum collection and working model of the distillation process. While you’re there, visit the retail shop where you’ll find local handmade goods, coffee, and snacks. If you’re keen for a little bit of exploring, about a 15-minute drive out of town visit the Melville Caves (Melville Caves Road, Brenanah VIC) and take in some breathtaking views!

Book ahead - Plan a stay along the way

 

Whatever your style and whatever your budget, there’s something to suit everyone. Here’s a few suggestions:

 

Big4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park

This peaceful family holiday park is the ideal base for families with young children or mature couples who will enjoy warm country hospitality in a stunning bush setting with native trees, birds, and lush green sites. With spacious cabins, safari and bell tents, or luscious green caravan and camping sites, this is Big4 offers it all.

Calder Highway, Marong VIC. T: 1800 642 329

 

Wedderburn Hotel

For many travellers, this convivial little spot is a welcome stop-off before they venture north to Mildura. First established in 1855, the country pub offers five comfortable rooms in their Miner’s Cottage with two shared bathrooms and a communal laundry.

72 High Street, Wedderburn VIC. T: 03 5494 3008

 

The Royal Hotel Sea Lake

More than just a pub, this historic hotel has been beautifully restored back to its former glory. Spend a night in one of their refurbished rooms, with queen,queen, twin, and pet friendly options available. Enjoy their restaurant ‘The Juke’ for a hearty pub feed.

74 Best Street, Sea Lake VIC. T: 03 5070 1050

Wedderburn

Travel time: 20 mins
Distance: 8km from Inglewood

At first glance, Wedderburn may appear to be no more than a small supply centre to farmlands around town. However, it was once a populous and very rich goldmining settlement. Magnificent buildings remain in the back blocks of the town, with the Coach House Museum (51 High Street, Wedderburn VIC) exhibiting precious historic pieces and the General Store Museum (55 High Street, Wedderburn, VIC) Wedderburn’s original goldfields shop with products from the gold rush era. Be amazed at the large-scale Birds Eye View Murals created in and around the town. This new and exciting addition to the Wedderburn streetscape features various bird species all local to the area. On the edge of town are the Beggary Hills (Beggary Hill Road, Wedderburn VIC) known locally as a prospector’s dream!

Charlton

Travel time: 22 mins
Distance: 22km from Wedderburn

Charlton marks the halfway point between Melbourne and Mildura. When you reach this idyllic little town located on the banks of the Avoca River, park yourself at the Traveller’s Rest stopover in the centre of town. Walk by the iconic Rex Theatre (1 John Curtin Drive, Charlton VIC) and admire its beautiful fixtures (maybe even watch a film while you’re there) and visit the beautifully restored Charlton Courthouse Gallery (8 Camp Street, Charlton VIC) which features an exhibition of photographs and periodic exhibitions by visiting artists. Charlton Golden Grains Museum (1 High Street, Charlton VIC) showcases a diverse collection of over 3000 artefacts and photographs from Charlton district’s First Peoples through to today. The town prides itself on its many historic and Art Deco buildings. The Charlton Art Trail should also be on your list of things to see. Be captured by the three wall murals painted by Jack Fran, Kyle Torney and Kate Pullen.

Wycheproof

Travel time: 20 mins
Distance: 30km from Charlton

This unique rural town is one of the very few towns in Australia with a train line running through the main street. Situated at the southern edge of the Mallee, travellers can take advantage of Wycheproof’s attractions including the post office and old courthouse, both of which have been state heritage listed. Be sure to indulge yourself in the town’s local eateries, particularly Bakery on Broadway (317 Broadway, Wycheproof VIC) which offers delicious country coffee and pastries, pies and selling delicious local produce from the Wimmera Mallee region that you can take with you. Before you leave, make sure to visit the world’s smallest registered mountain, Mt Wycheproof (Mt Wycheproof Lookout Road, Wycheproof VIC). Make your way up to the summit and enjoy some spectacular views of the Mallee.

Insider tip

• When travelling to and around our region, forward planning and vigilance are important and will help to ensure your experience is safe. Check the VicTraffic website prior to your departure for Victorian road alerts.

Birchip

Travel time: 22 mins
Distance: 35km from Wycheproof

Take a detour off the Calder Highway to visit Birchip, a thriving Mallee town situated on the Sunraysia Highway. Begin your visit at the Soldier’s Memorial Park (36 Cumming Avenue, Birchip VIC), wander the town and take in the historic buildings, museum, and a range of specialty stores. In the heart of town there are several sculptural works, including Big Red (26/28 Cumming Avenue, Birchip VIC), the huge and legendary wild Mallee Bull that struck fear into the settlers and local Aboriginal peoples. Check out the Mali Heart Street Art (Cumming Avenue, Birchip VIC) which encompasses various murals created by travelling artists and Birchip P-12 College students. The town is also famous for the iconic Sharp’s Bakery (47 Cumming Avenue, Birchip VIC), which boasts ‘Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice’ – surely worth the trip to this fabulous town for that alone! Only a short drive out of Birchip is Tchum Lake (Birchip-Wycheproof Road, Narraport VIC), a must for any avid walker who loves discovering new trails.

If you have free time - add this giant work of art to your list of must-dos!

GrainCorp Walpeup Silo

Only a 25-minute drive from Ouyen, catch a glimpse of the GrainCorp Walpeup Silo. Painted by internationally renowned artist Julian Clavijo, the silo tells the story of Walpeup local, 16-year-old Harold Thomas Bell (Wickham), who assumed a false identity and enlisted into the Australian Army in 1917. Accepted into the 4th Light Horse regiment, Harold devastatingly lost his life in the attack of Beersheba (Gaza).

Mallee Highway, Walpeup VIC.

Nullawil

Travel time: 27 mins
Distance: 22km from Birchip

Continuing along the Calder Highway, make your way to the rural village of Nullawil. This is one of those towns that never ceases to surprise. Nullawil has recently gained popularity for its Silo Art. The town welcomes visitors to stop and admire the enormous artwork by contemporary Australian street artist Sam Bates (Smug). You could easily spend a couple of hours here, visiting Auchmore Heritage Museum (Quambatook Road, Nullawil VIC) on the outskirts of town and the Iron Man Sculpture (20 Calder Highway, Nullawil VIC) in O’Brien Park. Don’t forget to visit TrickBots (23 North Road, Nullawil VIC), a small family business that offers a wide range of one-of-a kind metal sculptures and garden art made from recycled materials. Rather than making Nullawil a minor stop on your travels, why not explore this charming Mallee town?

Sea Lake

Travel time: 32 mins
Distance: 51km from Nullawil

Cruise on to explore the regional town of Sea Lake. Visitors can enjoy both the rustic charm of the vast cereal-growing centre and the incredible visual beauty of Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell (Lake Tyrrell Road, Sea Lake VIC). Travellers from around the world come to take in the vast beauty of this salty expanse. Take a nature walk, learn about the local Aboriginal history of the lake or just admire the majestic viewing platform and skydeck. Pop into the Sea Lake Visitor Information Centre (65 Horace Street, Sea Lake VIC) where you can book a tour of Lake Tyrrell or purchase local artwork and produce. Sea Lake’s other big (and we mean BIG) drawcard is the massive, decorated silo, which is also part of the Silo Art Trail, created by Joel Fergie and Travis Wilson. If you’re a bit of an art lover, the town also features many street art murals and the Skymirror Gallery (60 Best Street, Sea Lake VIC) which is one not to be missed. By now you may be hungry, so make sure to pop into The Royal Hotel Sea Lake (74 Best Street, Sea Lake VIC) for a refreshment and delicious meal.

Ouyen

Travel time: 54 mins
Distance: 89km from Sea Lake

Your final stop before reaching Mildura, Ouyen, is a small town with a big heart. One of the largest townships in the Mallee, this busy dry-land farming town is surrounded by natural beauty including the Wyperfeld, Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray Sunset National Parks. In the middle of town discover the Big Mallee Root Stump (6 Calder Highway, Ouyen VIC), the largest Mallee stump in Australia. It acts as a reminder of the difficulties faced by the European settlers in clearing the area and the agricultural significance of the town to the region. Grab a meal or snack before the final leg of your journey at the Victoria Hotel (22 Rowe Street, Ouyen VIC), a laid-back country pub serving up classics or pop into the bakery where Jeff Kennett famously claimed to have tried the best vanilla slice at Ouyen Mallee Bakery (28 Oke Street, Ouyen VIC). You can never have one too many!

Mildura

Travel time: 1 hour & 7 mins
Distance: 100km from Ouyen

Now you’re on the home stretch. If you need to take another break, pop into the Hattah Roadhouse (3478 Calder Hwy, Hattah VIC) or visit Barclay Square in Red Cliffs where you’ll stumble across the mighty Big Lizzie. Once you arrive in and have settled into your accommodation, pop into the Mildura Visitor Information Centre (180-190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura) for an insider’s guided on where to go, what to see and what not to miss in Mildura and surrounds.

More information: Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson Street, Wedderburn VIC. T: 03 5494 34 89. Sea Lake Visitor Information Centre, 65 Horace Street, Sea Lake VIC. T: 0487 972 752. Mildura Visitor Information Centre, 180-190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura. T: 03 5018 8380.

Images courtesy of Troy Hixon Photography, Hawkeye Photography & Chloe Smith Photography.