Merbein

On the Victoria-NSW border near Mildura, about 570km north-west of Melbourne on the banks of the mighty Murray River, Merbein is at the heart of the Sunraysia Irrigation District - which means, predominantly, citrus growing, vineyards and wineries, and dried fruits. In 1887, Canadian-born irrigation experts, the Chaffey brothers, started work on locking the Murray and flooding out the surrounding area to transform it into a rich and productive region from what was then described as 'a Sahara of hissing winds and red driving sands.' Visitors to the region can enjoy the delights of the Murray River, as well as the local produce, which, of course, includes wine from vineyards such as the Merbein and Mildara Winery. Merbein Common, on the site of the original pump which triggered the local irrigation system, is a popular recreational retreat for swimmers, boaties and anglers who often cap a day's sport with a barbecue. Just a few kilometres out of town on the road to Mildura, the Golden River Zoo introduces visitors to a huge stock of birds and animals including camels, monkeys and a wide range of native species.