Kings of Leon are coming to Mildura: make the most of the weekend

Kings of Leon are coming to Mildura: make the most of the weekend

It’s getting closer every day - the weekend of music, friends, fine food and great wine we’ve all been waiting for. Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon are winging their way to Australia and New Zealand and will kick off their tour in Mildura on October 29.

They’ve picked the perfect time to come - with summer in the air there’s so much to see and do before and after the concert. One weekend will be barely long enough, so here’s a few suggestions to help you make the most of the experience.

Getting there

Put together a Kings of Leon playlist and plan a road trip. Whether you’re coming from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, regional Victoria, or NSW and SA, all roads lead to Mildura. Allow for pitstops in scenic locations along the way so you arrive refreshed and ready to party. You can also fly directly into Mildura from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide with easy connections from other major cities too.

Where to eat

Ok, so this is Mildura, one of Australia’s premier foodie destinations, meaning your problem won’t be finding somewhere fabulous to eat, but choosing between the dozens of restaurants, cafes, wineries, and hotels.

For proper Napoli-style pizza cooked lightning fast in a searing hot woodfired oven, get thee to 400 Gradi on Deakin Avenue.

Get into the mood for music with lunch, dinner, or drinks at The Corporate Moose. The menu has an American street-food vibe with a great list of whiskies and bourbons as well as craft beers and cocktails.

Breakfast and brunch will be big on the Kings’ weekend agenda, and coffee never more important, so take a leaf out of the locals’ book and head for Nash Lane on Tenth St where the menu pulls together the best local ingredients to make classic and creative dishes with lots of vegetarian and vegan options.

Also in town, Brother Chris is dedicated to serving up amazing meals and barista-made coffees for breakfast, brunch and lunch with a space as elegant as the chefs’ plating.

There was a time when leaving Melbourne meant goodbye good coffee. Happily, those times are over, and this place proves it. Working exclusively with 5 Senses coffee roasters and running espresso on a machine that cost more than a sports car Blk Mlk also serves light, fun breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

From its century-old heritage-listed home Brass Monkey is one of Mildura’s more sophisticated food, coffee and boozy brunch hotspots. Come for a cold-pressed juice, stay for an espresso martini.

What’s a trip to The Murray without a pub parmi? If that’s the kind of meal you’re hungry for, head for the Gol Gol Hotel. Established in 1877, it’s a relaxed 25-minute drive from the heart of Mildura with the mighty Murray at its back door.

Where to stay

There’s no shortage of options for accommodation in and around Mildura but even without Kings of Leon in town, most places will be heavily booked, so reserve your room, cabin or campsite early.

If golf is your thing, or even if it isn’t, Mildura Golf Resort offers a range of rooms for up to five people just outside the city centre.

Families and groups should consider River Gardens Holiday Park on the NSW side of The Murray. Pitch a tent, park the caravan or book a luxury elevated cabin on the riverfront for a perfect weekend base.

Amongst the gumtrees, Apex River Beach Holiday Park offers caravan and camping sites as well as cabins for groups of up to five.

Lots of people just love motels and the Commodore Motel is a classic. Centrally located with contemporary rooms and a sparkling pool, there’s free guest Wi-Fi and parking.

Minutes from the paddle steamer wharf, Mildura Inlander Resort offers comfortable rooms, a pool and a friendly bar and restaurant. The superior triple room is ideal for friends travelling together.

With a choice of 99 rooms and suites, the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand is superbly located in the heart of Mildura’s shopping and dining precinct.

The façade of Mercure Hotel Mildura might be 80 years old, but the 68 guest rooms and apartments are modern and comfortable and the central location on Eighth Street makes it a great base.

For something a bit different, especially for groups, why not consider hiring a houseboat for the weekend? Mildura Houseboats has a large fleet, ranging from cosy family boats to super luxury vessels complete with spas, and all offering an iconic Murray experience.

Got questions about how to houseboat The Murray? Our FAQ article has the answers.

Where to play

Lovely as your accommodation might be, you’re not going to want to spend the time before and after the concert in your room. There’s heaps to do in and around Mildura, so here are some planning kick-starters.

Love gin? Like whisky, cocktails & conversation? Spend the afternoon and/or an evening at Fossey’s Distillery⁠.

Served comfortably with a side of local banter, an expertly crafted cocktail at the independent Sip Cocktail Bar & Eatery is a great welcome to Mildura.

Perfect for a pre-show tipple and a bite to eat, Verde is located at the Mildura Gateway with alfresco dining and a cosy indoor space, just a 5-minute drive from the concert venue.

For an afternoon or evening among the vines, head for Trentham Estate Winery. The cellar door offers tastings daily and the menu in the restaurant changes with the seasons.

The great outdoors is at its greatest at Perry Sandhills, less than an hour’s drive northwest of Mildura. These 40,000-year-old dunes are especially photogenic at sunset.

For a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and an appreciation of Aboriginal art, visit Barkindji Wiimpatya Murra Centre and many pieces are available to buy.

What’s a trip to Mildura without a cruise on a paddle steamer? P.B. Mundoo and P.V. Rothbury offer plenty of options for short trips from Mildura. Make sure you drop by the Visitor Information Centre to check current cruises and times.

Or experience the Murray in a more modern way aboard one of Mildura Cruises’ three vessels. Choose from a range of experiences from sunset cruises to special winery voyages. You can even book a boat exclusively for your group.

Want to explore further? Book a day tour with: Murray Offroad Adventures or MurrayTrek 4WD Adventures, but be warned: next time you’ll want to spend more than a weekend here.