Mildura

Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The population was just over 31,000 in 2011.

Mildura is a major agricultural centre notable for its grape production, supplying 80% of Victoria's grapes. Many wineries also source grapes from Mildura.

Its name is taken from the Mildura homestead, an early sheep station which covered most of the area.

History

Mildura has a long history of orange and grape farming.

Toponomy

There are several theories as to the origin of the name Mildura. While it was the name of the sheep station, without precedent in the English language, most historians believe it to have originated from Indigenous Australian words. However, the etymology of Mildura is not entirely certain as in several of the local dialects the words have different meanings. The word dura is generally thought to mean "earth", "sand" or "rock", at least in Latje Latje language. However, usage of the word mill can vary in dialect and is used to mean "red" or "water", and thus, interpretations of the name can vary from "red earth" to "water rock".