Mildura Air Show Ready for Take-off

 

Following the recent success of the Sunraysia Sporting Aircraft fly-in day and Ausfly 2024 held at the recently upgraded Wentworth Airport, Mildura Airport is set to host what is advertised as an "unforgettable experience".

The event which will be held on the 8th of September will feature an aerobatic display by Paul Bennet Air shows, a Sky Diving flag drop, the RAAF Roulettes, as well as various displays featuring some impressive aircraft.

Aerohunter Adventure Flights are offering limited flights and people can choose between the historic Wirraway or the Avenger. Ticket pricing starts at $600, and this may be the perfect gift for the daredevil in your family.

The RAAF Mildura Museum which is part of the airport precent, will host the history of the region's contribution to the nation's Air Force. Mildura was an operational training unit during the Second World War and the Mildura Museum holds some significant history.

Adding to everything that will be going on in the air, there will be an assortment of delicious street food at ground level as well as car and motorcycle displays, market stalls and kids activities.

A recently released map of the event as well as the many photos being pushed out from the Air show Facebook page suggests that the organisers have gone "all out" to make this a success.

For more information on the event, head to the official website or the Facebook page below.

https://milduraairshow.com/

https://www.facebook.com/milduraairshow

There's no doubt the organisers of the Wentworth events will now have some competition if the Mildura Air Show continues as a regular date on the Sunraysia calendar.

However, speaking as an attendee at the last two Wentworth events, the Mildura Airport will have to pull something special out of their hat to put on an show as well run as The Sunraysia Sporting Aircraft group did. Joy flights in a Tiger Moth at the Fly-in Day were more affordable than the $600 asking price at the upcoming event, further more they were provided by a local operator which can do these flights all year round... food for thought.

A video of the fly in day can be seen below.

An adult online ticket at the Mildura Air Show will set you back $50 or they can be purchased at the gate for $55.

The Twin Jewels of the Hattah Lakes - Lake Hattah and Lake Mournpall

A quick day trip from Mildura to the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park will not disappoint, the park is typical mallee country with extensive low scrub, open native pine woodland, big orange Sand Dunes, the mighty Murray River and its iconic lake system.

The main park entrance is about 70km from Mildura via the Calder Highway. Last minute drinks and food can be purchased from the Hattah Store before turning off to the park entrance approximately 5 minute away.

I've been traveling to the Park since my Childhood and the Hattah Lakes provides a great deal of memories. On the particular day that we shot this video (below) we visited Hattah's two jewels - Lake Hattah and Lake Mournpall, we also visited Werepill Lookout where when you're standing on top it appears the Mallee goes forever.

The Lookout is just a short drive from the Parks main entrance closest to the Hattah township, its an easy walk from the car park and once on top of the lookout take the time to observe all that's around.

If you have a pair of binoculars now is the time to get them out.

We visited on a day that was overcast at times but with no rain. It's best to always check the forecast as rain can make the Park tricky at times.

Hattah Kulkynes Birds and animals as well as the unique Mallee Scub thrive in the poor red sand and searing heat of Summer. The freshwater Hattah Lakes are seasonally filled by the twisting and turning Chalka creek that makes its way through 17 lakes in total and connected to the Murray River.
The Lakes provide food and shelter for waterbirds and fish. These lakes can remain full for up to ten years without flooding, but flooding generally occurs once every two years.

Lake Hattah (pictured right) has a Picnic area with BBQ's available as well as "long drop" toilets.

A short drive to Lake Mournpall on a well maintained track with an abundance of wildlife and sandhills, take your time and be on the "look out" for Kangaroos and Emu's (they're everywhere)

Once you reach the first point of the lake prior to the main campground there is a small parking area and from this point you will be able to take a 2 minute walk to see Chalka Creek - the life blood of the Hattah Lakes as well as the Bushman's grave.

The main campground of Lake Mournpall is a wonderland of activates - Kayaking, fishing, bushwalks, and a trip isn't complete without climbing the sandhills.

There is a fee to camp here, but given they have well maintained firepits and long drop toilets the small fee is worth every cent.

The above mentioned is just a small sample of everything that is available in the Hattah-Kulkyne National park, its the sort of place that is full of memories for me, but I always seem to make new ones each trip.

The Lost Road - Anabranch Mail Road

We couldn't have asked for a better day to travel the southern section of the Anabranch Mail Road which is about 70km of unsealed road with some stunning wildlife and some pretty good views of the Great Darling Anabranch.

All up, its about a 4 hour round trip from Mildura (allowing time to stop and take in the sights). The 444km Anabranch makes its way from the Darling River down stream of Menindee and connects with the Murray River Down Stream of Wentworth. Of course we are just looking at a very small section, a river trip by boat during a high river would be a great adventure and I've known a few people that have got to experience this, so that's definitely on the bucket list.

The Anabranch of the Darling River is the ancient bed of the Darling River until it changed its course around 11,000 years ago. It is commonly referred to as the Great Darling Anabranch or simply the Darling Anabranch.

There are only a couple of spots to stop at along this part of the Mail Road where you can take in the views as much of this land is private property and entering without permission is a big no no!

Our first stop is the begging of the Mail Road at the10 mile bridge (pictured), we're only a couple of K's from where the Anabranch meets the
Murray River, so if you're a keen Kayaker this is a great spot to launch.

I've included a google map at the bottom of the blog to identify the starting point.

The original 10 mile bridge (seen right) was built in 1867 making it 157 years old, even though its now closed its actually looks in pretty good shape for its age. It was upgraded in 1895 and again in the mid 1900’s, the new bridge was built in 2003

Next stop the Anabranch Hall as we take in the wildlife along this section of the trek. It worth mentioning that as good as this road is at the moment, its best to be prepared. Equipment to change a tyre if need be and something to inflate with would be a good idea, mobile reception is sketchy and apart from land owners there isn't much traffic on this road.

The old mail road passes through private farmlands, so be extremely respectful to the landowners. Hunting and camping without permission or taking dogs would be frowned upon. The Anabranch Hall (pictured) provided a vital venue for social interaction for people living in the isolated Anabranch district back in the day, Dances and sport days were held here and its still the venue for the annual Anabranch Picnic.

The Anabranch hall is available to the public for functions and gatherings and can be booked via the Wentworth council, its quite affordable, it has well maintained toilet blocks and shower facilities. and up to date pricing can be found on the Wentworth shire council web page. (https://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/community/public-venues/)

Flows into the Anabranch are inconsistent so a quick "google before you travel is a good idea. Generally speaking the anabranch receives flows when the Darling River reaches 6m or 10,000ml a day it also receives regulated flows from the Menindee lakes.

Our last stop before we back to Mildura is the Bunnerungee Bridge. This is where we meet up with the Silver City Highway and get back onto bitumen. From this point it will be 70 Kilometres back to Wentworth. Bunnerungee bridge is a free campground, with limited facilities, it is dog friendly as well as being accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs and camping in tents is allowed.

Its definitely not glamorous and the highway can get pretty noisy, so really just a last resort stop if the wildlife at night is getting a little bit hairy on the road or you’re stopping for a bite to eat like we did.

starting point for our journey