If you blinked this weekend, you probably missed the moment we went from “oh good, we needed this” to “…okay that’s enough now”.
This wasn’t a gentle, soak-it-in farm rain. This was a proper Sunraysia deluge - fast, heavy, and localised enough to turn the wrong street into a creek.
You can feel it in the air across the broader Mallee right now — dryland farmers are welcoming this rain. Not because they’re about to hook up the airseeder tomorrow… but because it’s the kind of soaking that starts building soil moisture ahead of the main sowing window.
If you’ve been anywhere near a vineyard, a sultana block, or a picker’s roster lately, you’ll know harvest time is all about timing. And right when everyone’s trying to thread the needle “bang” the forecast starts waving a big wet finger at the calendar.
For Mildura and surrounds, the next 7–10 days is looking like a mixed bag: heavy showers on Sunday 22 Feb, a couple more showery chances mid-week (Wed 25 Feb), then thunderstorm potential on Friday 27 Feb, with more showers around Saturday 28 Feb and Sunday 1 March.
Robinvale is telling a similar story, with heavy showers and a storm on Sunday 22 Feb and more cloud/showers lingering into the weekend.
Now, rain is usually a “beauty!” moment out here… but not when fruit is at peak ripeness and the machines (and people) are finally rolling.
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| Photo Credit - The Chaffey Trail |
If you’ve lived in Mildura (or you’ve ever done the touristy loop along the riverfront), chances are you’ve stood on the lock gates and watched the Murray doing its thing and thought, “How good is this?”
Well here’s a milestone worth circling in the diary: Lock 11 and the Mildura Weir started construction in August 1923 and completed in 1927 — which means we’re coming up to 100 years since completion.
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| Photo Credit - Peter MacDonald |
If you’ve been anywhere near the Murray lately (or you’ve got a pump, a boat, or a bit of skin in the game), you’ve probably heard the same line a few times:
“Lake Victoria’s getting low.”
And yep... it is.
As at 13 February 2026, the SA River Murray Flow Report has Lake Victoria sitting at 366 GL, which is about 54% capacity.
Now, 54% isn’t “empty”… but it’s also not the comfy, cruise-control zone you want heading into hot weather and high demand.
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You know those places you drive past a hundred times and think, “one day I’ll stop in there…”? Well, Millewa Pioneer Park is exactly that kind of spot — and I’m here to tell you it’s worth the detour.
If you grew up anywhere near Mildura (or you were a kid dragged around on a family holiday in the 80s or 90s), chances are you remember Humpty Dumpty — that wonderfully odd, very Sunraysia roadside attraction where a nursery-rhyme egg became the photo stop.
If you love a good story (or you’ve ever thought, “I could write a book… surely”), this one’s a beauty. Crime novelist Geoff Parkes is coming to Mildura Library on Thursday 26 February at 11am for a relaxed “In Conversation” session about his latest novel The First Law of the Bush — and it’s free.
If you’ve spent any time around the Murray in Sunraysia, you’ve probably seen them: carp cruising the shallows, stirring up the bottom like a toddler in a sandpit, and turning a nice clear patch of water into a murky soup.
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| Photo Credit - Ouyen Lake |
If you haven’t been to Ouyen Lake yet, do yourself a favor and put it on the “next road trip” list. It’s one of those places that feels like a bit of a miracle in the middle of the Mallee... a proper community-built recreation lake that’s now a go-to spot for a stroll, a picnic, a fish, a paddle, and these days… even camping.
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| Photo Credit - The Italian Mildura |
Top 3 picks
Valentine’s Sunset Picnic at Trail of Lights (Mildura). Sat 14 Feb, 7:30pm–10:30pm, Trail of Lights (Lock Island), 23 Hugh King Dr, Mildura.
Valentine’s Day Cruise (Mildura Cruises). Sat 14 Feb, 7:00pm–10:00pm, Hugh King Dr, Mildura (live music + set menu + drink on arrival).
Taste of Italy (Robinvale). Sat 14 Feb, 6:00pm–10:00pm, Robinvale Community Arts Centre, 37 Robin St.
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| Photo Credit - Australian inland Botanic gardens |
If you’re chasing a Sunraysia outing that’s equal parts relaxing, interesting, and not going to leave you melted, I’ve got a ripper for you: the Tractor Train Tour at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (just over the bridge at Mourquong). And yep — I’ve also got a video from my YouTube channel so you can have a stickybeak before you go (or relive it after).
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| Photo Credit - Sunraysia Farmers Market |
You know that feeling when the sun’s getting a bit cheeky, the river gums start whispering “summer’s nearly done,” and suddenly Saturday needs a plan? Yep.. lean into that.
That magical time of year when florists do overtime, restaurants suddenly become fully booked, and blokes across Sunraysia realise on February 13th that “I probably should’ve planned something…”
I went down a bit of a rabbit hole this week doing something I swore I wouldn’t do on a perfectly good day in Sunraysia… researching population growth stats.
If you’ve spent any time around vineyards in Sunraysia, you’ll know this region doesn’t just grow fruit — we’ve helped shape what Australia grows.
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| Photo Credit - Hawthorn Football Club |
If you needed one more reason to circle the Fully Blown BBQ Festival in your calendar (and start “training” by eating smoked brisket for research), here it is…
The organisers have just announced that Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico will be one of the special guests at FBBF26, and he’s not rocking up for a quiet hello and a photo.
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| Stock Photo |
If you ever want proof that Mildura has always marched to its own drum, you don’t need to look much further than the old Kar-Rama motel restaurant.
Because back in the day when the place was in full flight, the Kar-Rama wasn’t just doing schnitzel and chips. It was doing yabbies, “Murray River salmon”(Carp)… and snake meat.
And the best part? They didn’t even try to hide how local it all was.
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| Photo Credit - Serena Munro |
If there’s one thing we know in Sunraysia, it’s this: when you make it easier for visitors to do more, they stay longer and they spend wider.
That’s why this is worth a proper mention: a new combined ticketing model is now live, letting people bundle Trail of Lights with the upcoming Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) into the one visit plan. It’s been shaped by community and visitor feedback, and it’s designed to balance affordability with the long-term viability of both experiences.
And from a tourism point of view? This is the kind of move that can genuinely turn a quick overnight into a two-night (or three-night) trip.
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| Photo Credit - Dockside Marina |
If you’ve been around Mildura long enough, you’ve probably heard it more than once: “Imagine if we finally had a proper hotel right at the marina.”
Well… that conversation just got a whole lot more real.
A large parcel of land at the Mildura Marina, is currently on the market — almost three acres of prime waterfront real estate. The listing describes it as an “Unbeatable 12,000m² Marina Development Site” with mixed-use zoning, and says there’s an existing planning permit in place for a major hotel and conference development right on the Murray.
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There are a few things that just fit our patch of the world: crisp winter mornings, glassy river views… and hot air balloons drifting silently over the region like they own the sky.
This July, Balloons Over Mildura is back for a full week of ballooning action, running Saturday 4 to Sunday 12 July 2026.
And it’s not just a pretty show for the camera either — the program is set up as a serious competition week, with the event hosting Round 2 of the FAI Australian Grand Prix (a national-level series that brings elite pilots to town).
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| Photo Credit -Mildura Railway History |
If you’ve been hearing more chatter about passenger trains lately, you’re not imagining it. The push to reconnect Mildura to Melbourne by rail is gathering steam again — this time with a clear “starter” idea that’s practical, track-ready, and easy to understand: a weekly Mildura–Maryborough shuttle that links into the existing Maryborough–Melbourne passenger service.
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| Photo Credit - Serena Munro SENS8928 |
If you’ve been following the momentum around arts tourism in our patch, here’s something properly exciting and very topical right now: Wentworth’s Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) has hit major construction milestones and is now in its final stages.
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| Photo Credit - Euston Club |
If you love the Murray — whether it’s for a quiet sunset stroll, a lazy weekend on the bank, or the dream of landing a proper “Murray monster” one day, this is the kind of local initiative that deserves a big shout-out.
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| Photo Credit - Mildura.com |
If you were planning a magical night out at Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights this week, there’s a change thanks to the weather.
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| Photo Credit - Club Merbein Facebook |
If you’ve been in lately, you might’ve heard the buzz — the kitchen renovations are underway, and it’s going to be a game-changer. A bigger, better setup means the kitchen crew will have the ability to service more people, faster and smoother… which is a huge win for locals (and anyone rolling through town hungry after a day on the river or exploring Sunraysia!).
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| Photo Credit - Wade Aunger MMFacebook |
If you’ve spent any time around the speedway scene (or even just grown up in a town where engines and big personalities are part of the soundtrack), you’ll get the vibe straight away: Methanol Moonshine is a bold nod to racing culture — a local label with a big personality, marketed by Wade Aunger, and proudly tied to the kind of grassroots motorsport stories we know and love out here in Sunraysia.
And yep, the name turns heads. That’s the point.
Here in the Mallee and Sunraysia, a proper hot day doesn’t automatically trigger panic stations — it triggers a plan.
We’ve been living with this kind of heat forever, so most locals are pretty sensible about it. If you can, you start early. You knock the hard stuff over before the sun gets properly cranky. By late morning you’re already thinking shade, airflow, and whether that job can wait until the evening. Work boots on at sparrows-fart, cold drink bottle filled to the brim, and a quiet respect for the fact that the sun out here doesn’t muck around.
There’s a certain feel the 80’s had in Mildura — a slower rhythm, a smaller-town closeness, and those everyday places and people that quietly stitched the community together. You didn’t need a million options to have a good day. You just needed the corner store, a decent haircut, a hot chicken pack, and a town that still felt like everyone knew everyone (or at least knew your mum).
Here’s what I miss most.
Even with a proper Sunraysia heatwave rolling through, locals still turned out in numbers for the Australia Day breakfast this morning at Mildura Sporting Precinct — and honestly, that says a lot about this region.
Council shifted the celebrations from Nowingi Place to the Sporting Precinct due to the forecast extreme heat (comfort a
nd safety first), but the vibe didn’t miss a beat: free brekkie, coffees flowing, and plenty of friendly faces.
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| Photo Credit - Humanitix |
Some gigs are just gigs… and then there are the ones that feel like a full-circle moment for a town.
On Saturday 7 March 2026, the Wentworth Showgrounds will host the Concert for Cancer Research, and the big headline story is this: Karly Jewell is coming home. The former local who grew up in Wentworth is returning to headline a hometown fundraiser after building serious momentum on bigger stages, including international touring.
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| Photo Credit - Bushman's Rest Caravan Park |
If you’ve been wondering whatever happened to the proposed inflatable water park at Lake Cullulleraine — you’re not alone. It was one of those ideas that just made sense for the lake: more reasons to stop, stay, and give local families (and visitors passing through the region) another proper “summer holiday” option.
Here’s the timeline, in plain English.
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| Photo Credit - Mildura.com |
Just a heads-up for anyone who had Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights on the weekend (or mid-week) hit list…
Due to the hot weather / extreme conditions, the Trail of Lights will be closed from Saturday 24 January through to Thursday 29 January (inclusive). Safety first... because Lock Island and Mallee heat is no joke.
If you’ve already got tickets or you were about to book, it’s worth keeping a close eye on official updates (conditions can change quickly in summer).
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| Photo Credit - MRCC |
Heads up, Sunraysia — there’s been a last-minute location change for Mildura’s official Australia Day celebrations this Monday, 26 January 2026.
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| Phot Credit - greyfergietractormuster.com.au |
If you’ve ever rolled into Wentworth and felt that proper river-town history in the air, you’ll know this place doesn’t do things by halves. Later this year, Wentworth is hosting the Wentworth Flood Rally (70 Years On) — a huge King’s Birthday long weekend celebration that tips the hat to one of the most iconic “locals vs nature” stories you’ll hear anywhere along the Murray.
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| Photo Credit - Sunraysia Gliding Club |
If you’ve ever looked up at a glider silently carving circles over Mildura and thought “how good would that be?” — this one’s for you.
This Saturday 24 January 2026, the Sunraysia Gliding Club is throwing the hangar doors open for an Open Day / “Gliding in Sunraysia” session from 1:00pm to 5:00pm out at Koorlong. (see map)
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| Photo Credit - The Mallee String Quartet |
If you’ve ever stood out on Lake Tyrrell as the light drops and the sky starts doing its thing, you already know: this part of the world doesn’t just do sunsets… it shows off. And that’s exactly what makes Haeusler’s Strings & Sunset 2026 such a ripper idea. A dressed-up, fine-dining night out on the “Sky Mirror”, with live music, good company, and a fundraising purpose that hits close to home out here.
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| Photo Credit - EnviroEDU |
If you’re chasing a free, easy school-holiday win that’s equal parts fun and educational, the Wildlife Expo is on tomorrow (Thursday 22 January 2026) at the Mildura Visitor Information Centre.
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| Photo Credit - Glenn Milne |
If you love your sport with a bit of grit, noise and energy — clear your Sunday. The Gates Sidecar Cup is back at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway on Sunday 25 January 2026, and it’s shaping up as a ripping way to kick off a big sidecar run through the next few months at the track.
Fresh off a huge Jason Lyons Solo Trophy night (with local Red Cliffs rider Jaimon Lidsey taking the win), the club’s spotlight now swings straight onto sidecars — and word is this one has drawn a large field.
If you’ve ever said “Mildura needs a proper BBQ festival”… well, here it is.
Fully Blown BBQ Festival is landing on the lawns at The Gateway Mildura on Saturday, 7 March 2026 — and it’s shaping up as a full-on day/night of slow-cooked meats, live-fire cooking, music, drinks, and a Show & Shine car scene all in one spot.
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| Photo Credit - MRCC |
If you’re in Mildura for Australia Day, Nowingi Place is where its at. A relaxed, family-friendly morning on the river where you can grab a feed, catch some live entertainment, and celebrate the people who make our region tick.
If you love your live music with a bit of soul, a bit of grit, and a whole lot of “how is one person making that sound?”, you’re going to want this one on the calendar.
The headline act for the 2026 Cullulleraine Music Festival is Canadian blues icon Harry Manx, set to top a big weekend of folk, blues and roots music at Johansen Reserve (Lake Cullulleraine) across Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March, 2026.
There’s something about Wentworth that just slows the world down in the best possible way. The pace eases off, the river takes the lead, and before you know it you’re breathing deeper and smiling for no particular reason.
When you’re a kid from Mildura taking on the best Junior Sedan racers in the country, just making the trip is huge. But this weekend Ryan Burns (VIC12) didn’t just line up at the Australian Junior Sedans Speedway Title at Tyres & More Esperance Speedway in Western Australia — he delivered the kind of effort that makes Sunraysia locals puff their chest out a little.
A bushfire burning in Wyperfeld National Park is prompting Watch and Act – Prepare to Leave advice for communities including Patchewollock, with emergency authorities urging residents to get ready to evacuate at short notice.
In the latest update, Forest Fire Management Victoria said the fire is about 23km south-west of Patchewollock, is not yet under control, and is travelling from Freeway Track toward Jim Bathgate Road.
Under the Watch and Act warning, residents in Hopetoun, Patchewollock, Willa and Yaapeet are strongly recommended to prepare to leave immediately, before conditions worsen.
Emergency services have highlighted that increased wind speed, a wind change, smoke, or poor visibility can all signal the situation is deteriorating.
A relief centre has been opened at Blackburn Park, Farrell Street, Ouyen.
For road closures and travel updates, authorities recommend checking VicTraffic (or calling 13 11 70).
According to the official warning, key steps include:
Monitor updates closely (from official sources).
If you are away, do not return to the area.
If leaving, pack essentials such as medication, phone/chargers, important documents, cash, clothes, and pet supplies.
The next official update is expected by 8:40pm (unless conditions change).
For the latest warnings and the incident map, use VicEmergency (website/app) or call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226, and keep an emergency broadcaster on
Mildura Rural City Council has launched a new Emergency Services Dashboard that brings the region’s emergency information together in one easy-to-use online hub — a welcome step for residents, visitors and businesses who need clear, timely information during severe weather, fires, floods or other incidents. The dashboard collates official feeds and live data so you can quickly check fire danger ratings, active incidents, road closures and essential utilities information from a single page.
https://emergency.mildura.vic.gov.au/
What’s on the dashboard
Official incident and warning feeds (VicEmergency, SES, CFA) displayed alongside a live map to help people see where events are happening.
Road closures and traffic information integrated from VicTraffic so users can plan travel or avoid affected routes.
Weather warnings, current conditions and radar supplied by the Bureau of Meteorology, plus radio station info for local broadcasts.
Power and water outage indicators and links to local utilities, helping households and businesses assess service impacts.
Designed for speed and clarity
The dashboard is built to surface the most important information quickly — including the current fire danger rating and advice about what to do — and it clearly reminds people that in an immediate life‑threatening emergency they should call Triple Zero (000). The site pulls data from multiple official sources so users don’t need to jump between different agency pages during an incident.
Reliable sourcing and platform
Mildura’s dashboard displays content from a range of trusted external APIs (OpenWeather, VicTraffic, VicEmergency, CFA) and official feeds, and the council notes the content is provided as‑is and may change without notice. The platform is powered by Symphony3.
Why this matters for Sunraysia
For locals and anyone “out and about” in Sunraysia, having a single, localised emergency dashboard reduces confusion and helps people make safer choices about travel, property protection and evacuation. We will add a permanent link to the dashboard from Out and About Sunraysia so you - the reader can find it quickly when planning trips or checking conditions.
Check it now
If you live in or are visiting the Mildura region, bookmark the Mildura Rural City Council Emergency Dashboard and use it as your first stop for local warnings, road closures and service updates — and remember, for immediate emergencies call Triple Zero (000).
A wind change has moved through the Mildura district today, with winds now sitting south-west to south-south-west. At 10:50am, Mildura’s latest observation showed a SSW wind around 24 km/h, and earlier gusts were pushing around 39–41 km/h.
The cooler air is a welcome relief after the recent extreme heat, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 29°C for Mildura today (Saturday) and cloud clearing, although there’s still a chance of smoke haze later.
Even with the temperature drop, fire conditions can still change quickly — especially if winds strengthen or shift direction,
The Boinka / Big Desert fire warning remains at Watch & Act, but the threat is reduced and authorities say it is safe to return, with a strong reminder to watch for dangerous bushfire and tree hazards and stay ready to act if conditions change (Emergency Management Victoria)
Always check latest updates from Vic Emergency before retuning (don't take my word for it)
Latest key points (VicEmergency):
The fire started south of Boinka and is not yet under control. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Spread has slowed for now, but the situation can change at any time — keep monitoring. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe (don’t wait for the last minute). (Emergency Management Victoria)
Relief Centre: Blackburn Park, Farrell Street, Ouyen. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Some road closures are in place in the area. (Emergency Management Victoria)
For Colignan, Hattah and Kulkyne, the current level is Advice – Stay Informed. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Latest key points (VicEmergency):
The bushfire at Colignan is not yet under control. (Emergency Management Victoria)
It’s travelling from Brown Road, Colignan in a south-easterly direction towards Raak Track in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Check VicEmergency for live warnings and maps (website + app). (Emergency Management Victoria)
Keep a radio on — VicEmergency advises tuning to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations for updates. (Emergency Management Victoria)
Be ready to act if you notice increased wind, a wind direction change, heavy smoke, or poor visibility — these can all signal conditions are changing. (Emergency Management Victoria)
In immediate danger: call 000.
Jade Benham MP has also shared a video update urging locals to stay alert, keep checking official warnings, and be ready to act as conditions shift.
Boinka / Big Desert fire — WATCH & ACT (Prepare to Leave)
VicEmergency’s current warning remains Watch & Act – Prepare to Leave for Baring, Big Desert, Boinka, Linga, Patchewollock, Torrita, Underbool, Walpeup.
Latest official advice includes:
If you’re in or near the Watch & Act area: prepare to leave early. Don’t wait until visibility drops, embers arrive, or roads become congested.
Colignan / Kulkyne / Hattah — ADVICE (Stay Informed)
For Colignan, Hattah and Kulkyne, the current level remains Advice – Stay Informed.
Official info at last update:
What locals should do right now
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