The original Outback Now included Victorian towns from the goldfields to the high country. For outback-style travel, the Mallee and the Murray are the regions to explore.
Where to go
Murray-Sunset National Park — one of Victoria's largest parks, with mallee woodland, the Pink Lakes and remote 4WD tracks. Wyperfeld and Hattah-Kulkyne national parks — dunes, lakes and birdlife. Mildura — a Murray River city with paddle steamers and food and wine, and a base for Mungo National Park across the border in NSW, where ancient human remains and the Walls of China lunettes tell a story tens of thousands of years old.
Towns
Mildura, Ouyen, Sea Lake (Lake Tyrrell salt lake, famous for reflections and stargazing), Hopetoun and Swan Hill (Pioneer Settlement) are good bases.
Silo Art Trail
The Silo Art Trail across the Wimmera-Mallee turns giant grain silos into murals — a perfect road trip for photographers.
When to go
Autumn and spring are ideal; summer is hot. Remote Mallee tracks can be sandy and require a 4WD. From here, head north into outback NSW via Wentworth and Broken Hill.
The Mallee
Victoria's Mallee region covers the north-west of the state, named after the multi-stemmed mallee eucalypts that once covered much of it. Much of the land was cleared for wheat and sheep farming in the early twentieth century, but large areas are protected in national parks. The landscape is flat and open, with red sandy soils, salt lakes and huge skies. Towns are small and spread out, with grain silos marking each one on the horizon. The Mallee feels much more like the outback than anywhere else in Victoria, and it is a gateway to outback NSW and South Australia.
National parks of the Mallee
- Murray-Sunset National Park — one of Victoria's largest parks, in the far north-west, with mallee woodland, native grasslands and the Pink Lakes, which can turn pink in certain conditions because of algae. Remote tracks in the park are 4WD only and some close in wet weather or summer.
- Wyperfeld National Park — a large park with dry lake beds, mallee and native pine woodlands, and wildlife such as emus and kangaroos.
- Big Desert Wilderness Park — a remote wilderness area with no vehicle tracks, for experienced walkers only.
- Hattah-Kulkyne National Park — near the Murray River, with freshwater lakes that fill when the Murray floods, river red gums and abundant birdlife.
Parks Victoria manages these parks and publishes park alerts and visitor guides. Some campgrounds require bookings; check before you go.
The Murray River
The Murray River forms the border between Victoria and NSW. Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca are the main river towns, with paddle steamers, houseboats and river red gum forests. Mildura is a regional centre with irrigated vineyards, citrus and dried fruit, and it is the closest major town to Mungo National Park in NSW. Swan Hill's Pioneer Settlement is an open-air museum recreating river-town life.
Lake Tyrrell
Lake Tyrrell, near Sea Lake, is Victoria's largest salt lake. When a thin layer of water covers the lake, it creates mirror-like reflections popular with photographers, especially at sunrise and sunset. The lake is also a dark-sky destination, with stargazing platforms. The Wergaia people have long associations with the lake; interpretive signs explain some of its cultural significance.
The Silo Art Trail
The Silo Art Trail is a series of large murals painted on grain silos across the Wimmera and southern Mallee, stretching from Rupanyup to Patchewollock. Each silo features portraits or scenes reflecting the local community. The trail has helped bring visitors to small towns, and it's a good drive for photographers. Distances between silos are modest, and the roads are sealed.
Getting there
Mildura is about 540 km from Melbourne via the Calder Highway, with flights from Melbourne and other cities. Swan Hill is on the Murray Valley Highway, and V/Line coach and train services connect some Mallee towns with Melbourne. A car is the best way to explore.
Combining with outback NSW and SA
The Mallee links naturally with longer outback trips. From Mildura, head north to Mungo National Park and Menindee, or north-west to Broken Hill via the Silver City Highway. The Sturt Highway leads west to South Australia's Riverland and on to Adelaide. Our outback NSW guide covers the next stage.
Climate
Summers in the Mallee are hot and dry, with temperatures sometimes above 40°C and high fire danger. Winters are mild during the day but cold at night. Autumn and spring are ideal for travel, with wildflowers in spring after good rain.
Who it suits
Victoria's Mallee suits travellers who want a taste of outback landscapes within a day's drive of Melbourne, families on a school-holiday road trip, photographers following the silos and birdwatchers in the national parks.
Visitor centres
Visitor information centres in Mildura, Swan Hill and smaller Mallee towns can advise on park access, silo art locations, events and road conditions.
Further reading
Guides in this section
Frequently asked questions
Is there an outback in Victoria?
Not in the strict sense, but the semi-arid Mallee in the state's north-west, with its red sand, mallee scrub and salt lakes, is often described as Victoria's outback.
What is the Silo Art Trail?
A trail of large murals painted on grain silos in the Wimmera and Mallee, linking small towns such as Brim, Rosebery, Sheep Hills and Patchewollock.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Murray-Sunset National Park — Parks Victoria
- Silo Art Trail — Silo Art Trail
