Victoria · Attraction
Rio Vista Historic House
Colonial life in Queen Anne style
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Rio Vista is Mildura's most important heritage building, the grand Queen Anne-style homestead built for irrigation pioneer William B. Chaffey in the 1890s. Set within the Mildura Arts Centre precinct on the banks of the Murray, the fully restored house gives visitors an intimate view of colonial life, with period furnishings, costumes, photographs, and letters tracing the Chaffey family's role in founding the Mildura irrigation settlement.
Each room in the house has been preserved and interpreted to reflect life in the late 19th century, from the parlour and dining room to the service wing. The Chaffeys, brothers William and George from Canada, transformed a near-empty mallee scrub into one of Australia's most productive irrigation districts, and Rio Vista stands as the physical record of that ambition. The house is surrounded by a sculpture park and shares a precinct with a regional art gallery and a licensed cafe.
Entry to Rio Vista and the gallery is free, making it one of the most accessible heritage experiences in regional Victoria. The arts centre also hosts a theatre with a regular program of performing arts. Guided and self-guided tours of the house are available during opening hours.
The precinct is open daily from 10am to 4pm. Mildura Arts Centre sits about five minutes walk from the town centre along Cureton Avenue, with ample free parking on site.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Rio Vista Historic House.
2 options via our booking partner
NRMA Mildura Riverside Holiday Park
2.9km away
BIG4 Red Cliffs Caravan Park
12.7km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
