Mildura is the ideal place for a cycling holiday.

The gentle terrain lends itself to leisurely bike rides through picturesque scenery. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or are just starting out, you’ll enjoy this charming trail.

Trail Overview Terrain: Easy Distance: Approximately 5km Highlights: Historical sites and cafes

Start your journey under the George Chaffey Bridge at the eastern end of Hugh King Drive (marker 1 on the map). There is plenty of free, unrestricted parking if you need it. Check out the monument dedicated to George Chaffey on the tree stump at the top of the little hill to your left.

From there head west along the Shared Riverfront Path (marker 2 on the map). Across Hugh King Drive, on your left, you’ll see Nowingi Place, a playground, the Mildura Water Play Park and the Ornamental Lake. If you’re ready for a coffee or food stop, the Bobby + Me Café is also on your left.

As you continue along the path, you’ll come to the historic Mildura Wharf (marker 3 on the map), built in 1888. Here you may see the historic PS Melbourne, one of the original steam driven paddleboats of the Murray, built in 1912 or ‘the greyhound of the river’, PV Rothbury, built in 1881 and the winner of the Bicentennial Paddleboat Race in 1988. Check the board for cruise times or call the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre on 03 5018 8380 to book. Just past the wharf, on your left, is an amazing sculptured mosaic seat created by nationally renowned Paakantyi artist Badger Bates in 2016.

(marker 8 on the map) featuring 32 luscious grass courts. If tennis is your game, courts are available to hire year-round.

Insider Tips

• Stop along the riverfront and workout on the free outdoor gym equipment.
• Toilets and a water refill station are located at Jaycee Park.
• Visit the Mildura Riverfront website to learn more about the sites along the trail.
• To dive deeper into the region’s history, visit The Chaffey Trailwebsite.

Keep riding past the Lower Murray Water Pumping Station, featuring a vibrant mural, and you’ll arrive at the Mildura Rowing Club and Café 1909 (marker 4 on the map). Stop in for a coffee, snack or meal overlooking the mighty Murray River. Just past this stop, to the right of the path, is the Captain Charles Sturt cairn which commemorates his voyage of discovery down the Murray River in 1830. Stop here on the Rowing Club Lawns for the best view (and photo opportunity) of the George Chaffey Bridge.

If you’d like to ignite your other senses, coming up on the left side of Hugh King Drive is the garden walkway and Bill Hyder Scented Gardens (marker 5 on the map). Hear didgeridoo music and bird calls as you make your way along the walkway and then quite literally stop and smell the flowers in the scented garden.

Next you’ll come to Jaycee Park and Shippys Café(marker 6 on the map). Jaycee Park is the home of the Sunraysia Farmers Market and is a great spot for a barbeque. The kids can have a play and the whole family can check out the old K Class Locomotive. Grab a coffee, snack or meal from Shippys Café before continuing on.

Just a short ride away is the Billabong Steam Engine and Pump Shed (marker 7 on the map). The Tangye ‘Billabong’ engine was designed and brought to Mildura from England by George Chaffey in 1889 and relocated to the Mildura riverfront in 2016 after its retirement. The old pump shed has a mural depicting the 1956 flood which was painted by volunteers.

Further along the river is the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club

A short, 500 metre ride and you’ll come to Lock 11 (marker 9 on the map), completed in 1927. Time your stop to see the PS Melbourne pass through the lock (approximately 10.55am, 12.45pm, 1.55pm and 3.45pm on normal schedules) or cross over the footbridge to Lock Island. There you can take the short ride to the Mildura Weir (built in 1927) or the loop track that zig zags around the island. Please note these tracks are not sealed and dogs are not permitted on the island.

Make your way back to the riverfront track and head up the hill to the Mildura Station Homestead and Homestead Cemetery (marker 10 on the map). The precinct is a reconstruction of the property of the first Mildura Station established by the Jamieson brothers in 1847.

Need a bike, parts or a tune up?

Hires

Dockside Mildura Cafe
Dockside Drive, Mildura, T: 03 5023 5222

7th Street Motel
153 Seventh Street, Mildura, T: 03 5021 1584

Sales and repairs

Cycling Mythology
48 Olive Avenue, Mildura, T: 0437 462 303

Mildura Cycles
154 Ninth Street, Mildura, T: 03 5021 1584

Sales

Deakin Motorcycles and Bicycles
24 Deakin Avenue, Mildura, T: 03 5022 7088

Return to the track on Cureton Avenue and you’ll come to the wide lawns of the Mildura Arts Centre and Rio Vista Historic House (marker 11 on the map). Here you’ll see the permanent collection, often referred to as one of Victoria’s best kept secrets. You can then learn about the Chaffey brothers and their contribution to the region as you wander through W.B Chaffey’s former home, Rio Vista before taking a stroll through the Mildura Sculpture Park. If it’s that time, stop in at the Vista Café Bar for coffee, a snack or a meal.

Head back to the riverfront via Cureton Avenue and you’ll ride down past the beautiful home called The Bungalow which was built in 1891 and the Mildura Bowling Club (marker 12 on the map). Continue down the hill and rejoin the riverfront path back to your vehicle.

More information: Mildura Visitor Information Centre, 180-190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura. T: 03 5018 8380. Mildura Riverfront. T: 03 5018 8100.