One of the earliest settlements in the area, it is close to Lake Hawthorn, an outfall for the Mildura district's drainage system.
Location: 11 km from Mildura.
Origin of name: Merbein was originally called White Cliffs after the steep slopes here beside the Murray River. It was changed in 1909 to 'Merbein' which is the Aboriginal word for these cliffs.
Brief history: first settled in 1910 as a satellite settlement to Mildura. By 1913, in preparation for closer settlement, land near Merbein had been subdivided into blocks averaging 27-86 acres. Blocks were too small or infertile, too few settlers from overseas had been attracted and those who did arrive had insufficient capital or experience. The Murphy Family were one of the first settlers to establish vineyards at Merbein in 1909. George Chaffey established the Mildura Winery (now the Mildara Blass Winery) at Merbein in 1911, and became the town's first mayor in 1920.
Natural features: Murray River; Hattah Lakes System (Fletchers Lake; Gol Gol Lake; Iraak Lake); Wallpolla Island; Koorangie State Game Reserve (80 km west)
Built features: Murray River irrigation system; winery, distillery, horticultural research station; Lake Hawthorn
Hattah Lakes