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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.
We’ve seen “marina development” come and go… but this feels different
To be honest, development at the marina has been “on the cards” on and off over the years. Plans get floated, ideas get talked up, then life happens — markets change, costs blow out, priorities shift, and it all goes quiet again.
But a site of this scale being available in one hit is a different kettle of fish.
When you’ve got nearly three acres in a location like Dockside, it opens the door to the kind of large-scale investment that’s hard to pull off on smaller, fragmented blocks.
Why the location is absolute gold
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Dockside is one of those spots that just makes sense for visitors. You’ve got the marina and Murray River vibe right there, but you’re still close to town for coffee, meals, supplies, and an easy walk along the riverfront. The listing leans into exactly that — the lifestyle pitch of being on the water while having direct CBD access.
And here’s the honest local bit: this area could do with a bit of prettying up.
It’s got the bones of something special — water, views, space — but a future development (even before you talk buildings) would be the perfect excuse to lift the look of the precinct with proper landscaping, shade trees, tidy pathways, lighting, and that “arrive and feel good” vibe. You know the sort of thing: make it feel like a place you’d actually stroll around after dinner, not just drive through.
If you’re trying to sell a marina as a destination, presentation matters — and a bit of green and a bit of polish can change the whole feel of it.
The “big vision” stuff: hotel + conference + more
Here’s where it gets interesting.
The listing describes the site as a multipurpose supersite and talks up potential for a landmark hotel and conference centre, alongside other mixed-use outcomes. It also notes plans around 28 residential allotments / luxury townhouse-style living, which gives you a sense that the vision isn’t just one building — it’s a precinct.
Flood-proofing: if anything gets built here, it has to be smart
Now, let’s talk about the Murray — because locals know she’s beautiful, but she can also remind you who’s boss.
Any serious waterfront development in our region needs flood-aware design built in from day one. The best versions don’t just look flash; they’re future-proofed: raised levels where needed, smart placement of services, materials that can handle it, and landscaping that helps the site recover quickly.
A big new build here would be a chance to do it properly — a marina precinct that’s built for the river we love and the river we respect.
What it could mean for tourism in Sunraysia
A hotel and conference facility right on the marina isn’t just “nice to have.” It could be a genuine game-changer:
More conferences and business events choosing Mildura (and filling rooms mid-week)
A premium waterfront stay option visitors instantly understand
Flow-on spending for local cafes, restaurants, tours, attractions and shops
A Dockside precinct that becomes an attraction in its own right
And if you’ve ever had visitors ask, “Where can we stay that’s right on the river and close to everything?” — you can see why this listing has sparked chatter.
We’ll be watching this one closely
Right now, it’s a sale listing — and listings don’t always become bulldozers. But with 12,000m² of mixed-use waterfront land, plus the mention of an existing permit for a hotel and conference concept, this is one of the more serious “marina development” moments we’ve seen in a while.
If anything meaningful moves from “for sale” to “for real”, it’s the kind of project that could reshape Mildura’s visitor offering — and give Dockside the makeover it’s probably been waiting for.
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