Mildura and surrounds

Mildura:

not many Victorians visit Mildura - it's just a bit too far from Melbourne for most and in summer it can have very hot prolonged heat waves averaging 45degC
however, it does lie on the Murray River and is adjacent to a large wine and citrus fruit growing area thanks to the ample irrigation possibilities
best times to visit are Mar-Oct although nights can be freezing as with much of inland Australia at this time
it is also the gateway to:
- South Australia - 1.5hrs to Renmark, Sth Aust
- Lake Mungo, NSW
- the remote and very popular interesting mining town of Broken Hill / Silverton to the north in outback NSW

~6hrs, 550km from Melbourne via the Calder and Sunraysia Highways bypassing Bendigo but passing though Wedderburn, Sea Lake and Ouyen
- a fraction longer via the Western Highway bypassing Ballarat but passing through Learmonth, Avoca, St Arnaud, Donald, Birchip, and Ouyen
from the northern Grampians area, it is 3.5hrs (310km) north of Horsham via Hopetoun and Ouyen
4.5hrs, 400km from Adelaide
3hrs, 300km from Broken Hill

Lake Mungo in SW NSW:
- dry, eerie, desert landscape eroded by wind which takes the sand to the nearby sand dunes
- site of ancient Aboriginal culture dating back to perhaps 60,000 years ago until ~15,000 years ago when it dried up in the climate change that also resulted in Tasmania becoming separated from the Australian mainland.
- 100km (~1hr) drive NE from Mildura along unsealed roads but 4WD not required - but avoid when recent rains
- best time to visit is March - October as too hot in Summer
- accommodation:
  - Mungo Lodge
  - two camping sites (fires and wood only) at the main camp - info NSW Parks
Broken Hill / Silverton
- 3hrs, 300km to the north
- bitumen road

Hattah-Kulkyne Nat Park
Big Desert Wilderness
Lake Tyrell at Sea Lake
Wyperfeld Nat Park
Little Desert Nat Park
- great remote area to see the winter Milky Way at its best away from lights!
Mt Arapiles rock climbing area (currently suspended?)
Horsham
- nice country town on the Wimmera River which allows ready access to the nearby locations to explore such as Little Desert Nat Park and the northern Grampians such as Hollow Mountain
The Grampians