New Year’s Eve in Sunraysia: fireworks, river sunsets, and a big night out

If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in Sunraysia, you’ve picked the right place. The Murray River sets the scene, the evenings are made for being outdoors, and there’s enough happening across the region to suit everyone. From families chasing early fireworks to adults looking for a proper “dress up and make a night of it” experience.

The weather is lining up nicely too, Mildura’s forecast for New Years Eve is sunny, breezy and not as hot, with a top around 32°C and a much cooler night.

The main event: Nowingi Place fireworks + family fun

Mildura’s big community celebration returns to Nowingi Place, with the action starting from 6pm and rolling right through to midnight. 

Fireworks are set for:

• 9:30pm (perfect for families)
• Midnight (the full countdown moment)  

Expect food and dessert trucks, plenty of entertainment, and that classic New Year’s energy where everyone’s out enjoying the warm night air together. 

Want something different? PB Mundoo’s NYE cruise

If you’d rather celebrate on the river, there’s a special PB Mundoo New Year’s Eve Cruise listed on

Events Mildura — and it’s made for adults who want dinner, entertainment, and the Murray drifting by while the year ticks over.

What’s on:

• Adult-only
• $150 per person
• Boarding 7:30pm, depart 8:00pm, return 12:15am
• Carvery buffet meal + dessert selection
• Live theatre show from Ratbagz Comedy Theatre: “Spaced Out Aliens: Star Trek the Musical”  

It’s the kind of night where you can skip the running around: step aboard, settle in, eat well, laugh a lot, and welcome the New Year with the river right beside you. 

For more information visit - https://www.paddlesteamers.com.au/

Dinner first: Sunraysia’s restaurants make NYE easy

Of course, New Year’s Eve is also the perfect excuse to back our local hospitality. Whether you’re chasing a relaxed early dinner before fireworks, a long “let’s make a night of it” meal, or cocktails and share plates, our restaurant scene shines this time of year.

Local tip: book ahead — especially if you want that sweet spot of an early sitting, then a stroll by the river, then fireworks.

Finish the night under the stars: camp the Murray

If you’re up for something a bit more old-school Sunraysia, swap crowds for camp chairs and head for a

riverside camp area after the celebrations.

A favourite local option is Kings Billabong / Psyche Bend, where dispersed bush camping can put you right near the Murray — the kind of place you can sit back, listen to the water, and let the New Year arrive quietly. 

However you do it — Nowingi fireworks, PB Mundoo’s NYE cruise, a cracking local dinner, or a night camped along the Murray — this is one of those Sunraysia nights that reminds you why we love living (and holidaying) here.

Psyche Pumps Running Day is back on New Year’s Day 2026!

If you’re looking for a proper Sunraysia way to kick off the year, complete with fresh air, river country, and something that’ll genuinely impress the kids and the grown-ups put Psyche Pumps Running Day on your New Year’s Day plans.

On New Years Day, the historic Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station will be up and running from 10:30am to 3:00pm. (See map)  

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A quick rundown of what’s happening on the day?

This isn’t a “look at it through a fence for 30 seconds” kind of event. The Running Day is when you get to see the whole place come alive—steam, movement, sound, and the kind of old-school engineering that makes you wonder how anyone built this stuff in the first place.

Event details:

• Date: New Year’s Day — Jan 1, 2026 

• Time: 10:30am–3:00pm 

• Where: Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station, end of Psyche Bend Rd, Nichols Point (Kings Billabong Reserve) 

• Entry: Adults $5 | Kids Free | 

• Info: https://www.facebook.com/psychepumps

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Why the Psyche Pumps matter to Sunraysia (and why they’re not “just an old machine”)

It’s easy to forget, driving around all this productive country, that our region wasn’t always vineyards, orchards, and paddocks doing their thing year after year. Water is what made this place possible at scale, and the Psyche Bend pumps were right at the heart of that story.

The pumps were built as part of the Chaffey irrigation settlement, lifting water from the Murray River up into Kings Billabong, which then fed a wider network of channels out to farms. That system was designed to raise water in stages and supply huge areas of farmland which was seriously ambitious stuff for the late 1800s. 

They were first installed/commissioned in 1891, and they helped provide irrigation water through to 1959, when electric pumps took over. 

Without these pumps, there most likely wouldn’t have been Mildura as a region as we know it they were “the life blood of the district.”
That’s not hype. That’s the real impact of infrastructure that turned a tough landscape into a thriving community and agricultural powerhouse.

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Last year I went along… and I honestly loved it

I made the trip out to last year’s New Year’s Running Day, and it was one of those local experiences that reminds you why living (or holidaying) in Sunraysia is special.

There’s something about:

• seeing the machinery actually working (not just sitting silent in a shed),

• chatting with the volunteers who know every bolt and valve,

• and feeling that connection between the river, the billabong, and the farms that still feed families today.

It’s a relaxed, friendly day out, people wandering through, families having a look, camera phones going, kids wide-eyed at the noise and motion, and plenty of “how does that even work?” moments.

And yep, I filmed it. If you want a sneak peek before you go (or you want to send it to someone who should come with you), you can watch my video below.

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If you go: a few local tips

• Go early-ish so you’ve got time to watch, wander, and ask questions without rushing.

• Bring water, a hat, and comfy shoes (it’s New Year’s Day in Sunraysia… you know the drill).

• Take the kids—this is one of those rare heritage things that’s genuinely interesting because it’s loud, moving, and real.

• Make it a day on the river: Kings Billabong Reserve is a beautiful spot to slow down and start the year properly.

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See you there?

New Year’s Day is already a tradition for a lot of locals and this is a ripper way to make it yours too.

Psyche Pumps Running Day
Jan 1, 2026 | 10:30am–3:00pm | Nichols Point (Kings Billabong Reserve)

Broken Hill Tourist "Silver Trail" and Australia's first Terrorist Attack

Broken Hill is best known for mining heritage, grand streetscapes and outback art, but woven into its official Silver Trail tourist route is a far darker chapter of Australian history. Stop number 107 on the trail marks the site of the Battle of Broken Hill, an event widely regarded as Australia’s first act of Islamist terrorism.

Quiet, understated and easy to miss, the ambush site sits beside a railway line just outside town. There are no crowds here, no grand memorial, yet what happened on this ground on New Year’s Day 1915 shocked the nation and left a permanent mark on Australia’s wartime story.

Mullah Abdullah's suicide note

A Terror Attack on Civilians

On that summer morning, a special picnic train carrying around 1,200 men, women and children set off from Broken Hill to Silverton for the annual Manchester Unity picnic. As the train passed through scrubland, two armed men opened fire on the open ore wagons, deliberately targeting civilians.

Four people were killed and several others wounded. The victims were not soldiers. They were families celebrating a public holiday — making the attack a clear act of terrorism rather than a military engagement.

The attackers, Mulla Abdullah and Gool Badsha Mahomed, declared their actions as part of a religious war, aligning themselves with the Ottoman Empire’s call for jihad against Britain and its allies during World War I. Their motive was ideological and religious, not personal or local.

From Ambush to Armed Pursuit

After firing on the train, the men fled toward the rocky hills west of town, raising an Ottoman flag and leaving behind a note pledging allegiance to the Sultan. A three-hour gun battle followed near what is now White Rocks Reserve, involving police, military units and armed volunteers.

Both attackers were killed, bringing the incident to an end, but the event remains unique in Australian history as the only wartime attack on civilians carried out on Australian soil during World War I.

The Ambush Site Today: A Low-Key Stop on the Silver Trail

Today, the ambush site forms part of Broken Hill’s Silver Trail, a self-guided tourist route that links key historical locations across the city and surrounds. Despite its significance, this stop is remarkably understated.

Photo Credit - Trip Adviser

A single ore wagon memorial marks the location. Signage is minimal. Many visitors pass without realising they are standing at the scene of a terrorist attack that once reverberated across the country.

That simplicity, however, gives the site its power. With trains still passing and the landscape unchanged, it’s a place where history feels close — and deeply confronting.

Why This Stop Matters

Including the Battle of Broken Hill on the Silver Trail ensures the story is not forgotten or sanitised. It acknowledges that alongside mining triumphs and civic pride, Broken Hill also bears witness to the dangers of extremist ideology imported from distant conflicts.

For visitors, this stop offers more than a history lesson. It’s a moment for reflection — on the victims, on how global events can reach even remote Australian towns, and on the long roots of terrorism in this country.

Quiet though it may be, the ambush site is one of Broken Hill’s most important historical locations, and a worthwhile visit for anyone interested in Australia’s past beyond the postcard image.

Sweet Memories and Timeless Treats: Bushells on Tenth, Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe

Every region has its hidden gems and places that aren’t just spots on a map but keepers of memories, joy and tradition. In the heart of Mildura, down Tenth Street, sits one such treasure. Bushells on Tenth, Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe. A place where time seems to slow, sugary scents awaken memories, and everyone — young or old can relive the simple delights of childhood. 

A Sweet Slice of Sunraysia’s Past

Originally opened in 1938, Bushells on Tenth isn’t just another confectionery, it’s Mildura’s original lolly shop and one of the last surviving corner stores from a bygone era. At a time when Bushells Tea Merchants were a staple across country towns, this very shop provided everyday groceries and sweets to locals long before supermarkets existed. 

Imagine a bustling street outside its doors, kids on their way to school, parents running errands, and the promise of a penny-worth of sweets waiting behind that old wooden counter. It’s that deep-rooted connection with community life that makes Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe more than a shop,  it’s a keeper of stories. 

Where Nostalgia Meets Sweet Variety

Step inside today and you’re transported back to those simpler decades. The shop’s shelves are packed with over 4,000 lines of confectionery from around the world. From old-fashioned boiled sweets and classic Australian treats to imported delights and retro favourites Mum and Dad used to beg for. 

Whether it’s sherbet, licorice, or chocolates that melt like memories, every handful feels like a trip down memory lane. And it’s not just sweets, there’s a sense of whimsy too, often shared by visitors who talk about quirky details like a toy train running above the aisles and the friendly faces ready with a story or recommendation. 

More Than Candy — It’s a Living Memory

Today’s owners have embraced that legacy with respect and creativity, preserving its charm while ensuring visitors, locals and travellers alike can continue to experience its magic. From classic lines to new favourites, there’s something here to delight every palate and evoke a smile. 

A Sweet Reminder to Slow Down

In an age of convenience and fleeting digital moments, Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe stands strong as a reminder that joy can be found in simple pleasures. Walking through the creaky doors, listening to laughter echo off old walls, and letting a sugar-kissed memory wash over you, it’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the last lolly’s been savoured.

So next time you’re out and about in Sunraysia, take a moment to visit Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe. Ask about its history, pick up a handful of timeless treats, and let yourself be transported,  if only for a little while, back to those carefree days when every sweet was an adventure. 

https://www.facebook.com/yeoldelollyshoppemildura?

Wentworth Gears Up for a Festive Christmas Eve Street Party

Darling Street in Wentworth will come alive on Christmas Eve as the town hosts its much-loved Christmas Eve Street Party, a celebration that perfectly captures the relaxed, welcoming spirit of Sunraysia.

Each year the event draws locals and visitors alike, turning the heart of Wentworth into a vibrant hub of colour, music and laughter. With a strong family focus, the street party is a chance for kids to enjoy the excitement of Christmas Eve while parents and grandparents soak up the festive atmosphere and catch up with friends.

One of the highlights of the night is the fireworks display, lighting up the evening sky and creating a memorable moment for families gathered along Darling Street. It’s the kind of community celebration where children sit on shoulders, neighbours greet one another, and everyone shares in the anticipation of Christmas Day.

Food and drink are also a big part of the experience, with Darling Street’s licenced venues open throughout the evening. Whether you’re after a relaxed pub meal, something a little more indulgent, or simply a cool drink as the night unfolds, there are plenty of options to enjoy without leaving the festivities.

Adding to the appeal is Sunraysia’s balmy summer weather. Warm evenings make it ideal to stroll the street, enjoy outdoor dining and linger well into the night, creating that laid-back holiday feel the region is known for.

The Wentworth Christmas Eve Street Party is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of community, family and the simple joy of coming together at one of the most special times of the year. If you’re looking for a festive night out that combines fireworks, great food and a friendly country-town vibe, Darling Street in Wentworth is the place to be this Christmas Eve.

Legends of Sunraysia — Jane Edmanson

Jane Edmondson’s story links the soil, sun and spirit of Sunraysia deeply and from her early days on a citrus farm near Mildura  to her decades-long role on the national screens of ABC, Jane’s roots in our region and her family’s connection to local gardens helped shape both her personal journey and her horticultural legacy.

From Buronga farm life to a lifelong love of plants

Jane Edmanson was born in 1950 and spent her early childhood on a citrus (and avocado) farm in Buronga. Life among groves, river flats and red soils - Her upbringing was steeped in practical horticulture: from early memories of her mother tending a home garden, to learning about soil, salt management and irrigation under challenging inland conditions. 

Jane has often credited her mother’s love of gardening  as early influences that “gave her gardening in the blood.”  It was this bond with plants and place that gave birth to a passion which would carry her far beyond Buronga.        

Family ties to Australian Inland Botanic Gardens — sowing seeds of a bigger garden dream

  

Jane’s family became early supporters of the region’s ambitious botanical project — the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG) at Mourquong and with the family property right next door, Jane’s parents were early contributors.

For Jane, that meant a childhood familiar with not only orchard rows and irrigation lines, but also a community-driven botanical vision: native and exotic plants growing side by side, preserved mallee eucalypts, heritage plantings, and a sense of shared responsibility for environment and landscape.

In her own words during a return visit to Mildura, she has remarked on how the region’s river red gums, soils, and seasons shaped her early understanding of what gardens, and gardens of the inland  could mean. 

That grounding, with family involved in both commercial horticulture and broader community-based garden preservation, likely planted seeds for Jane’s future as a gardener, educator, and someone passionate about sustaining green spaces in both suburbs and semi-arid inland Australia.

From nurseries to national screens — ABC’s long-serving gardening voice

After moving to Melbourne for her education, Jane studied teaching and later obtained horticultural and landscape qualifications at Burnley College.  Her career began at the Victorian Schools Nursery in 1976, where she started as a nursery hand before rising over 15 years to become Deputy Director. 

In the 1980s she co-owned a suburban garden centre and worked in retail nurseries.  Then came a major turning point: in 1989 she was offered the hosting role on the ABC TV gardening show Sow What, replacing a retiring presenter. 

The following year, the national gardening program Gardening Australia launched, she was one of its founding presenters. Over the next 38 years until her retirement in late 2025 she remained, becoming the only original host still on screen at the end. 

Through that time she shared practical gardening advice rooted in both scientific horticulture and lived experience often drawing on her background in inland farming and dry-climate care. 

Bringing Sunraysia to the nation — revisiting home with camera in hand

Over the years Jane has returned many times to Sunraysia and neighbouring areas, not just as a visitor, but as a storyteller, educator, and advocate for inland gardening, native plants and sustainable horticulture. In a memorable 2018 episode of “Road Back Home,” she revisited the Murray River’s river red gums near her childhood farm and reflected on what those trees mean historically, environmentally, and personally. 

Perhaps most poignant is that, through her parents’ early contribution to the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, Jane’s story comes full circle: from a farm girl learning to tend citrus and avocado trees to becoming a national voice urging Australians to remember their land, respect its character and grow green spaces wisely, even in dry climates.

As Jane steps away from her formal role on Gardening Australia after a remarkable career spanning nearly four decades her legacy remains deeply rooted in the soil of our region. For anyone who’s ever planted a tree along the Murray, tended a drought-tolerant native garden, or taken a stroll through the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens thank you, Jane. Your “green thumb” came from right here in Sunraysia.

What’s your favourite memory of Jane — or your own story of gardening in Sunraysia? Share your thoughts in the comments below.