The rural Victorian town that Aussies are flocking to these winter holidays
You might assume that the top trending Aussie destination for the July school holidays would be somewhere up north - places like Cairns, or Noosa, or even Darwin.
But it turns out that this year, Aussie families are choosing to embrace the cold, rather than run from it.
According to Wotif data, the top trending domestic destination for July is none other than a small town in regional Victoria.
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Mildura has seen a big surge in popularity. Visit Victoria
Mildura, a small city in the northeast corner of Victoria, has seen a huge surge of interest in the last few months, as travellers flock to the charming region on the banks of the Murray River.
According to Wotif, Mildura has seen a massive 257 per cent increase in searches for the July school holidays.
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And it's easy to see why. The humble city really has everything you need for a perfect getaway.
If you're into nature and being outdoors, you'll love Mildura. The city is surrounded by national parks and natural landscapes, with opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, 4WDing, hiking, and more.
There's plenty to see and do in the region. Visit Victoria
Of course, you'll need some energy for all that, and thankfully, Mildura has a thriving coffee culture that rivals some inner-Melbourne suburbs.
Don't miss Shippy's cafe, based out of a converted shipping container and set on the banks of the Murray River.
Another reason that Mildura is in the spotlight right now (literally) is the Trail of Lights, an immersive art installation by renowned artist Bruce Munro, who is famed for Uluru's Field of Light.
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The Trail of Light installation is bringing Mildura to life. Visit Victoria
In place until the end of August, the installation transforms the banks of the Murray River into a glowing wonderland.
Mildura is a six-hour drive from Melbourne or a four-hour drive from Adelaide - or there are direct flights into Mildura airport from Sydney and Melb.
The second city on the list of trending destinations for the winter holidays is Carlton, in Victoria, which is up 77 per cent.
Carlton is a hot suburb in Melbourne. Visit Victoria
This inner-city Melbourne suburb has seen a huge jump in people searching for accommodation, preferring a more local vibe than staying in the CBD.
The area is best known for its vibrant cafe culture, particularly along Lygon Street, which is famous for its Italian restaurants and is regarded as the birthplace of Melbourne's cafe scene.
Carlton's Melbourne Museum is hosting The LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition this winter, until July 19th.
In third place on the list is Sydney Olympic Park - a convenient place to stay when visiting the city for any sporting events or concerts.
The area will play host to the third State of Origin match in July, as well as various NRL and Union matches. Disney on Ice is also being held at the Qudos Bank Arena next door.
Another Victorian destination - the Yarra Valley - and Bondi round out the top five trending spots.
Wotif's top trending domestic destinations for the winter school holidays:
- Mildura, VIC (+257 per cent)
- Carlton, VIC (+77 per cent)
- Sydney Olympic Park (+60 per cent)
- Yarra Valley, VIC (+56 per cent)
- Bondi, NSW (+55 per cent)
- Jervis Bay, NSW (+50 per cent)
- Barossa Valley, SA (+49 per cent)
- Port Stephens, NSW (+47 per cent)
- Mudgee, NSW (+47 per cent)
- Mandurah, WA (+44 per cent)
