Where Light Meets Landscape: Mildura & Wentworth’s Transformative Night Experiences

Some regions reveal their character best after sunset. Along the Murray-Darling, two extraordinary night-time installations are reshaping how visitors experience the river country: Mildura’s Trail of Lights and Wentworth’s upcoming Fibre Optic Symphony Orchestra (FOSO). Both sit at the centre of the All the Rivers Run Explorer Tour departing October 2026, offering travellers something deeper than sightseeing - an invitation to slow down, look closely, and see these landscapes in a new way.

Mildura’s Trail of Lights: A Dreamscape on the Murray

Just a short stroll from Mildura’s CBD, Lock Island transforms each evening into a glowing riverside dreamscape. Created by internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro, best known for the Field of Light at Uluru, the Trail of Lights brings together river, land, and art in a way that feels gentle, immersive, and surprisingly introspective.

As the sun disappears behind the river gums, more than 12,500 fibre-optic fireflies awaken along the trail, shimmering softly across the banks of the Murray. Interspersed throughout are 22 whimsical Gone Fishing sculptures, playful forms that add humour and curiosity to the landscape. The experience is deliberately unhurried - pathways wind at a comfortable pace, accessible to visitors of all abilities, encouraging people to wander, pause, and simply take in the rhythm of the river at night.

Wentworth’s FOSO: Light, Sound & the Desert’s Natural Stage

A short drive from Mildura, the landscape shifts from riverbank to red dune. Here, at the striking Perry Sandhills, Bruce Munro will debut his next major installation in April 2026: the Fibre Optic Symphony Orchestra (FOSO). Unlike the quiet glow of the Trail of Lights, FOSO blends illuminated sculptural forms with a synchronised orchestral score composed by Emmy Award–winning Nainita Desai.

Set across the rolling dunes and nearby Thegoa Lagoon, the piece creates a multi-sensory dialogue between sound, light, and landscape. Experiencing it at sunset - when the sand ignites in warm tones before darkness settles - adds an elemental dimension that feels unmistakably Australian.

For more information on Trail of Lights and FOSO, visit mildura.com/lights

Beyond Light: The Richness of the Murray Region

There is so much more to discover in the Murray region from its heritage and landscapes to its unique local character. Cruise the Murray River or enjoy a lunch cruise on Lake Mulwala, step into history at Rio Vista Homestead and the Psyche Bend Pump Station, or explore the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement and Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. Discover quirky highlights like Cactus Country, The Great Aussie Beer Shed, and Harden Mill Silo Art, and savour local wines at Trentham Estate or wander the orange groves at Orange World. From the river junction at Wentworth to the historic ports of Echuca, each stop is full of stories, scenery, and experiences.

Experience It Yourself

Discover all these remarkable experiences and more in the All the Rivers Run Explorer tour itinerary. Every detail of the tour has been thoughtfully curated, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the heritage, landscapes, and culture of the Murray-Darling region - simply relax, take it all in, and let the journey unfold.

Check out the itinerary HERE.