If you wanted an example of what Mildura does well, Saturday night’s Goanna Run Street Party in Langtree Avenue was a pretty good place to start.
Great cars, a meal out, a few drinks and live music, all with perfect weather for spending an evening outdoors. Feast Street provided the setting, and the hot rods gave everyone plenty to wander around and admire.
We headed in early to have a look at a few cars before settling in for a beer at Mildura Brewery, then making our way to Seoul Chicken for dinner. Getting in early is a fair idea on a night like this, especially if you’ve got a particular restaurant in mind.
As the evening rolled on, the cars and band gave us a good reason to hang around after our meal. There was no need to rush off when there was still plenty to look at.
While the cars are the drawcard, events like the Goanna Run also give Mildura a chance to show itself off.
Visitors come for the event, but along the way they get to experience our restaurants, bars and outdoor dining. Throw in an evening of weather like Saturday’s and it’s a pretty good advertisement for spending a weekend in Sunraysia.
The benefit can spread well beyond Feast Street, too. People visiting for an event need somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat and perhaps a coffee and breakfast before heading home. Some might make a longer trip of it and explore a bit more of the region.
For locals, it’s a reminder that we don’t always need to go away to enjoy a good night out.
And for “us more mature” locals, this one felt right up our alley.
Without suggesting there was an age limit, a street full of hot rods, live music and somewhere nearby to sit down for a meal or a beer certainly felt like an evening aimed at us. A chance to get out, catch up with people and enjoy a bit of atmosphere at our own pace.
You didn’t need to be a car enthusiast to enjoy it, either. There’s plenty to appreciate in the work that goes into these vehicles, even if your mechanical knowledge doesn’t extend much beyond checking the oil.
Saturday night brought together visitors and locals while putting some of Mildura’s best assets on display.
Good food, welcoming venues, interesting cars and weather that made you want to stay out a little longer. That’s a night worth getting off the couch for.
