For adventures not too far off the beaten track, see rare animals and plants in a variety of habitats, and explore the rugged outback scenery of the Murray region.
The Murray region extends from New South Wales in the far north-east corner of Victoria to South Australia in the far north-west, and is home to diverse landscapes and environments. Those in search of a 'soft' outback experience head to the Murray Sunset National Park, southwest of Mildura. You can bushwalk, camp, and drive through the park. If you have a 4WD you can venture further afield - or you can always let someone else do the driving and join a tour.
Murray Sunset National Park, the second-largest in Victoria, has a diversity of habitats, including Murray River billabongs, wetlands, woodlands, semi-arid sand dunes and salt pans.
Take the short walk along the Pink Lakes trail to the Pink Lakes, one of the park's highlights. You can also access the lakes directly from the town of Linga, by driving 12km along unsealed roads. These salt lakes have been given their name because carotene, a red pigment, is secreted from the lakes' algae. The intensity of colour varies throughout the year and is strongest after rains wash in fresh nutrients, triggering increased growth of the algae. It's better to see the colour early or late in the day, or when it's overcast. In spring, spider orchids, azure sun orchids and poached-egg daises burst into bloom around the lake, while in summer, the lakes evaporate, leaving a pink salt crust.
The area became a national park in 1991, protecting Victoria's largest flower as well as Australia's rarest bird, the black-eared miner. Keep an eye out for threatened species in the park, including the Paucident Planigale, a small carnivorous marsupial, the yellow and green regent parrot, and the millewa skink. Expect to see mallee fowl, red-rumped parrots and pink cockatoos and be on the lookout for emus and kangaroos at dusk.
Anglers will enjoy a fishing trip to Lindsay Island, the Lindsay River or Mullaroo Creek, where golden perch, murray cod, redfin and yabbies are plentiful. Lindsay Island is a good place for boating and swimming too.
When you've finished exploring the park, immerse yourself in the Mediterranean feel of the city of Mildura, often described as an outback oasis. It's just under an hour's drive from the park, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the lush citrus groves and vineyards, a growing arts scene and a pleasant, multi-cultural vibe.
Thanks to Stefano de Pieri's 'Gondola on the Murray' TV series and cookbooks, the town has also developed an international reputation for good food and a wide variety of excellent produce and eateries.
As a riverside resort, flanked to the north by the Murray River, Mildura also offers lots of water-based attractions. Take a cruise on a historic paddle steamer, paddle a canoe, swim, water-ski, or captain your own houseboat and soak up the scenery as you drift down the river.
There's a slower pace here that will really make you feel like you're on holiday, and a sense of celebration in the area's food, wine and culture, evidenced by a healthy calendar of local festivals. Surrender to the pace, and enjoy all that the region has to offer.
