The Big Grape

The Big Grape was erected in 1979 to celebrate Mildura's grape industry, which began in 1887 when Canadian irrigation engineers George and William Chaffey developed the irrigation systems that made large-scale agriculture possible in the region. The transformation of the arid Mallee country into Australia's fruit bowl is one of the great engineering achievements of colonial Australia. Today, the Sunraysia region around Mildura produces sultanas, currants, raisins, table grapes, and wine grapes that are exported around the world. The Big Grape stands as a symbol of this agricultural success story and the generations of farmers who have worked the land.

More Fun Facts

• •Mildura produces around 80% of Australia's dried grape products
• •The Sunraysia region has over 800 grape growers cultivating more than 30,000 hectares
• •Mildura is Australia's largest producer of table grapes, citrus, almonds, and pistachios
• •The first vines were planted in Mildura in 1887, just one year after the Chaffey brothers arrived
• •The region produces enough grapes to make over 100 million bottles of wine annually

Visiting Tips

• 💡Combine your visit with a tour of the many wineries along the Murray River
• 💡Visit during harvest season to see the grape industry in full swing
• 💡The nearby Rio Vista historic homestead tells the story of the Chaffey brothers
• 💡Try local dried fruits and wines at the Sunraysia Farmers Market (Saturday mornings)
• 💡The Mildura Visitor Information Centre has maps of wine trails and cellar doors