Best Mildura Day Trips: Hattah, Perry Sandhills & More

Mildura is famous for its bright citrus orchards, world-class wineries, and historic paddle steamers, but the true spirit of the Sunraysia region lies just beyond the town limits. If you want to experience the raw beauty of the Mallee, you need to head out into the surrounding national parks, conservation reserves, and river red gum forests. Planning a few mildura day trips allows you to witness incredible shifts in the landscape, moving from towering red sand dunes to ancient freshwater lake systems and remote floodplains. At Wildside Outdoors, we have been exploring these tracks and waterways for over 25 years, and we want to help you discover the very best day-long adventures this region has to offer.

Top Destinations for Your Mildura Day Trips

Whether you are traveling with family, seeking a quiet day in nature, or looking for an active off-road challenge, the areas surrounding Mildura offer distinct environments that feel worlds away from the city centre. Here are the four best day-trip destinations you can easily explore within a short drive of town.

1. The Perry Sandhills and Wentworth

Located just 30 kilometres west of Mildura on the New South Wales side of the border, the Perry Sandhills feel like an entirely different continent. This 400-hectare conservation reserve features massive, rolling dunes of fine red sand that have been continuously shaped by the wind since the last ice age. It is also an area of deep cultural and archaeological significance, where shifting sands have occasionally revealed fossilized bones of ancient megafauna, including giant kangaroos and wombats.

• What to do: Sandboarding is the main attraction here. Grab a heavy-duty cardboard box or a hard plastic sled and slide down the face of the dunes. The area is also highly favoured by photographers, particularly at sunrise or late afternoon when the low sun casts long shadows across the red ripples. After exploring the dunes, drive another five minutes into the historic river town of Wentworth to see the junction of Australia's two longest rivers, the Murray and the Darling.
• Who it suits: Families, photographers, and anyone looking for a unique landscape.
• Best time to visit: Year-round, but avoid the middle of hot summer days as the sand can heat up significantly. Early mornings and cool winter afternoons are perfect.

2. Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

Situated 74 kilometres south of Mildura along the Calder Highway, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is a spectacular biosphere reserve. The park is a maze of seasonal lakes, open mallee shrublands, and majestic river red gum forests. It is one of the most ecologically diverse parks in Victoria, providing a vital sanctuary for native wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, lace monitors, and rare bird species like the Malleefowl.

If you want to tackle the sandy tracks and woodland trails, you can secure our high-quality mountain bike hire options to explore the park at your own pace. For schools and larger groups looking to experience this unique landscape in a structured environment, our specialized Hattah camp expeditions offer an incredible, immersive educational wilderness experience.

• What to do: Take a self-guided walk along the Warepil Lookout track for stunning panoramic views over the mallee canopy, or enjoy a picnic near Lake Hattah. When the seasonal lakes are holding water, it is one of the most peaceful places in the state to paddle a canoe among the nesting waterbirds.
• Who it suits: Hikers, birdwatchers, off-road cyclists, and nature enthusiasts.
• Best time to visit: Late autumn, winter, and spring. The summer months can bring extreme heat, so planning around the cooler seasons ensures a much safer and more comfortable trip.

3. Lake Cullulleraine

If you head 57 kilometres west of Mildura along the Sturt Highway, you will find Lake Cullulleraine. This expansive, freshwater lake is surrounded by irrigated lawns, shaded picnic areas, and contrasting red dirt cliffs. It offers a calm, reliable water environment that is perfect for families wanting a full day of recreation without the currents of the main river.

Our dedicated Lake Cullulleraine camp serves as a fantastic base for large groups, school excursions, and outdoor education. If you are visiting for a day trip, you can arrange kayak, canoe and mountain bike hire from us in Mildura before you head out, allowing you to paddle the peaceful, glassy waters of the lake or cycle the flat, 10-kilometre trail that traces the shoreline.

• What to do: Swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and fishing for golden perch or redfin. The flat lakeside trail is also highly suited for a relaxed family bike ride or walk.
• Who it suits: Families with young kids, paddlers looking for calm water, and groups who enjoy lakeside picnics.
• Best time to visit: Warm spring days, summer, and early autumn when the water temperature is ideal for swimming.

4. The Lock 9 to Lock 10 Paddle Run

For those who want to get directly onto the Murray River, the section between Lock 9 and Lock 10 (near Wentworth) is a classic local day trip. This reach of the river is incredibly scenic, characterized by steep clay cliffs, ancient fallen timber, and quiet backwaters that are inaccessible by standard vehicles. It offers a genuine sense of isolation and wilderness just a short distance from the regional towns.

Paddling this stretch requires some preparation and a good understanding of river safety. If you want to develop your paddling skills before taking on a river trip, or if you are looking to book a structured outdoor session for a school or corporate group, we offer customized adventure activity sessions tailored to all experience levels.

• What to do: A full-day down-river paddle. You can drift quietly past nesting whistling kites, spot turtles baking on fallen logs, and enjoy a quiet lunch on a secluded sandbar.
• Who it suits: Experienced paddlers, active couples, and adventure-seeking groups.
• Best time to visit: Autumn and spring when the winds are generally calmer and the daytime temperatures are moderate.

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Local Guide Secrets: Preparing for Your Mallee Adventure

The landscapes of the Sunraysia are beautiful, but they can also be harsh if you are unprepared. To make the most of your day trips, keep these local practicalities in mind:

• Hydration is your priority: The Mallee is an arid environment. Even on mild winter days, the dry air and wind can dehydrate you quickly. Always carry a minimum of 2 to 3 litres of water per person, even for short walks or bike rides.
• Check road conditions: While major attractions like Lake Cullulleraine and the Perry Sandhills have sealed road access, many of the tracks within Hattah-Kulkyne National Park are unsealed gravel or deep sand. Standard passenger cars can easily get bogged in dry sand, so stick to designated visitor areas unless you are driving a high-clearance four-wheel drive.
• Prepare for the flies: During the warmer months (typically October through to March), bush flies can be highly persistent in the national parks. Packing a simple fly net to wear over your hat can make a massive difference to your comfort levels.
• Respect the river: The Murray River has hidden snags, cold water temperatures, and strong currents that are not always visible from the surface. Always wear a properly fitted life jacket (PFD) when on the water, never swim alone, and check the weather forecast for wind changes before launching.

Ready to Explore the Sunraysia?

At Wildside Outdoors, we love helping locals and visitors experience the rugged beauty of the Mallee and the Murray River. Whether you need to arrange gear hire for a self-guided trip, book a camp, or organize a structured group activity, we are here to help you get outdoors safely. Please contact us to chat about trail conditions, equipment hire, or to plan your next regional adventure.