gets a glow-up with all-new Mildura Bruce Munro light installation

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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You’ve probably heard of Uluṟu’s Field of Light. Enter Trail of Light: a new installation set to captivate visitors to Mildura on the banks of the Murray River.

Bruce Munro is a renowned installation and light artist, whose work appears in some of the most iconic landscapes worldwide. His most well-known work is undoubtedly Field of Light in Uluṟu, which draws thousands of visitors to wander through the otherworldly lightscape after sunset. Now, Mildura in Victoria joins the list of Munro’s installation sites, with a brand-new work set to captivate visitors and create a coveted after-dark attraction from 4 April. With tickets on sale now, we’re taking a look at what visitors can expect from the latest major installation lighting up the Murray River.

The banks of the Murray River are the backdrop to Trail of Lights. (Image: Serena Munro)

Trail of Lights

The new large-scale installation, Trail of Lights, will open on 4 April, injecting light and colour along the banks of the Murray River.

Bruce Munro's Trail of Lights in Mildura – composed of 12,500 gently glowing ‘fireflies’ – invites visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in nature.

Located just 1.7 kilometres away from Mildura’s CBD on Lock Island, the work will consist of 12,500 firefly lights that complement the natural beauty of the river.

Trail of Light
Trail of Lights will consist of 12,500 lights along the Murray River. (Image: Serena Munro)

In addition, Gone Fishing, an installation of 22 light sculptures made from fishing rods suspended over the water, will complete the whimsical dreamscape on Lock Island.

gone fishing Bruce Munro
Gone Fishing is a contemplative light sculpture made out of fishing rods. (Image: Serena Munro)

“Trail of Lights is about creating a moment of stillness and contemplation in an extraordinary natural setting," says Bruce Munro. “The Murray River provides the perfect canvas for light and landscape to interact in a way that is both evocative and deeply personal."

The installation will illuminate Lock Island for two years, enriching Mildura’s art and culture offerings, adding to its allure as a destination for food, wine, and natural beauty.

Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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Discover the Yarra Valley town made for slow weekends

    Kellie Floyd Kellie Floyd
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    Once a service town for gold miners, Healesville has evolved into a destination brimming with character.

    If you trace your finger to the heart of the Yarra Valley on a map, you’ll land on Healesville – a charming little town framed by towering gums and rolling hills. Its main street is lined with cosy cafes, a bookshop, silversmiths, boutiques and a providore stacked with artisan breads and cured meats. In other words, all the essentials for a leisurely weekend. Just beyond the shops, parklands invite picnics, bush trails suggest a wander, along with an old tourist railway, distilleries and award-winning vineyards. Originally a service centre for the goldfields, the railway soon brought visitors seeking fresh mountain air. Today, it’s the kind of place that rewards a slow stroll.

    Staying in Healesville

    the lounge in one of the cosy villas at Healesvillas
    Inside one of the cosy villas.

    If sweeping mountain views are part of your accommodation prerequisite, Healesvillas are two architecturally designed villas sleeping six guests, complete with landscaped al fresco areas and a fire pit. Wander into town to visit Cheesemonger Sophie to help craft the perfect platter, and Barrique Wine Store for a local red, before returning to soak up the views.

    Dining out in Healesville

    small plates at No. 7 Healesville
    No.7 offers small plates and tasting menus centred on seasonal produce. (Image: Ben Frazer)

    For breakfast, head to My Little Kitchen Cafe, a cheerful spot on the main street known for its strong coffee and warm hospitality. Herd is a low-lit spot with serious style, serving up modern comfort food, or to sit beside wine barrels and underneath chandeliers head to No. 7 Healesville, a wine bar and restaurant in a converted warehouse.

    Drinking in Healesville

    a cocktail at Four Pillars Gin Distillery
    Enjoy a cocktail at renowned Four Pillars Gin Distillery. (Image: LVDI)

    Take a tour or sip your way through a tasting paddle at one of Australia’s most famous gin distilleries, Four Pillars Gin. If visiting a boutique winery is on the list, Boat O’Craigo wines has sweeping views over the vineyards to the hills beyond. The newest addition to the local drinking scene, Zoncello Yarra Valley serves a must-try Limoncello Spritz.

    the Boat O’Craigo winery
    Boutique winery Boat O’Craigo. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

    Healesville highlights

    If you’re after a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery, Silvermist Studio designs beautifully unique pieces. Lifestyle store Morris et al is filled with women’s fashion and homewares, and because everyone deserves a good book, Verso Books is a cosy independent bookshop with carefully chosen titles.

    Head to Healesville Sanctuary to get up close to some of Australia’s wildlife. If the weather is on your side, pack a picnic and head to Maroondah Reservoir Park to climb the steep dam wall, where kids and adults alike can’t resist testing out the booming echo. And if you feel like stepping back in time, board a vintage train at the Yarra Valley Railway.

    the Puffing Billy Railway
    Step back in time at the Puffing Billy Railway. (Image: Visit Victoria)