Unshackled Adventures parked up in Mildura at Burronga Caravan Park for a few days while the car went in for a service. With the weather turning and rain setting in for most of our stay, it ended up being the perfect chance to catch up on a bit of life admin—laundry, cleaning the van, and resetting before the next leg of the journey.
As always, the people you meet on the road make the experience. Conversations quickly turned to the ongoing fuel concerns linked to the Middle East conflict. Some travellers had decided to stay put in larger towns, while others were calling it early and heading home. It definitely gave us something to think about. For now, though, we’ve chosen to keep moving—happy to pay the price if needed, but with a bit more thought going into our route, especially with smaller towns potentially running dry of diesel.
When it was time to leave Mildura, we were more than ready. Caravan parks are great for ticking off the essentials, but they’re not really our style for too long. We opted for a short travel day and made our way to Werrimull—a tiny outback town that captured our hearts on a previous trip to the Eyre Peninsula.
Set in the remote Millewa Settlement Area of northwest Victoria’s Mallee region, roughly halfway between Mildura and the South Australian border, Werrimull is about as small and authentic as it gets. With just a police station and a pub, the town runs on simplicity and community spirit. Locals told us that when the police officer is in town, he parks out the front as an open invitation—anyone is welcome to drop in for a chat and a cuppa.
Once a hub for surrounding farming communities near Murray-Sunset National Park, Werrimull now serves mainly as a gathering place, for locals and tourists alike with the pub at its heart. The pub claims the title of the “most remote outback pub in Victoria”.
During this visit, we took more time to explore and soak in the history. The recently updated war memorial is a moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Millewa region, and a reminder of the town’s deep roots.
Established around the 1940s to support local wheat farmers, the area still reflects its agricultural past. The old concrete silo stands proudly, with smaller mobile silos now part of the Silo Art Trail after being transformed in 2023 with murals celebrating local flora and fauna.
Nearby, a massive wheat storage shed caught our attention—especially when Mr Unshackled spotted a small open wicket door. Curiosity got the better of us (as it usually does), and stepping inside gave us a real sense of the scale and capacity these structures once held. Impressive doesn’t quite cover it.
The next morning, following a strong recommendation from a local, we made the drive to Meringur to visit the Millewa Pioneer Park—and we’re so glad we did. Located about 90km from Mildura, this volunteer-run site was established in 1986 to honour the resilience and determination of the region’s early settlers.
The replica village is enormous, and the level of detail is incredible. From historic buildings to hands-on displays, it offers a genuine glimpse into life in the Millewa district’s early days. The sheer volume of artifacts and stories preserved here is nothing short of mind-blowing.
If you’re passing through this part of the country, do yourself a favour—take the detour. It’s a step back in time, and absolutely worth it.
** Tip: For the best viewing experience, click the YouTube link in the bottom left corner of the video to watch in higher clarity.
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