From championship-winning race cars to a world-class Murray River destination, Rick Kelly has swapped apexes for accommodation, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves.

Most Australians know Rick Kelly as a Supercars champion, a driver who spent years threading racing machines through packs of cars at speeds most of us can barely comprehend. These days, however, Rick’s focus is firmly fixed on something far removed from the racetrack. On the banks of the Murray River near Mildura, he is overseeing what is becoming one of regional Australia’s most ambitious tourism developments.

Trentham Waters Resort is the result of a dream years in the making, and while the project has demanded enormous amounts of time, money and perseverance, the finished product is beginning to reveal why Kelly believed in it from the start.

For the Kelly family, the Murray River has always held a special place in their hearts. Long before the race wins, television cameras and championship trophies, family holidays were spent camping beside the river, boating, swimming, waterskiing and wakeboarding. Those childhood experiences left a lasting impression.

As Rick travelled the world competing in motorsport, he experienced some of the best resorts and tourist destinations. Along the way, a vision began to form. He wanted to create something special back home, a destination that would showcase the Murray River while giving something back to the region that helped shape his early years. When the opportunity arose to acquire land at Trentham Cliffs, that vision began to take shape.

From the outset, the goal wasn’t simply to build another caravan park or holiday resort. The ambition was much larger than that. Rick wanted to create a destination that would enhance the Murray River experience and set a new benchmark for regional tourism. Every part of the guest experience would be carefully considered, from accommodation and facilities through to dining and recreation. 

Today, visitors can already see the foundations of that vision taking shape. The resort spreads across an impressive riverside property where caravanners, campers and villa guests can enjoy direct access to one of Australia’s most iconic waterways. Modern facilities, spacious sites and quality accommodation create a polished feel that immediately sets Trentham Waters apart from many traditional holiday parks.

What is perhaps most impressive is that the project is still only partially complete. Major developments remain underway, including the construction of River Retreats, additional recreational facilities, walking trails along the river and a sandbar Beach Club that promises to become a major drawcard. Those additions are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

A further 24 villas are scheduled for completion in early 2027, while the broader Trentham Waters Living development is expected to be finalised within three years.

More Than Just a Holiday Park

Building a project of this scale is a very different challenge to winning races. When asked what is more stressful, driving a Supercar flat out through heavy traffic or creating a premium resort on the Murray River, Rick laughs that the answer changes depending on the day. Considering the scale of the development, that’s hardly surprising.

The construction challenges alone have been significant. Add seasonal tourism fluctuations, staffing requirements and the pressure of delivering a quality experience year-round, and it’s easy to understand why resort development can sometimes feel every bit as intense as a championship battle.

Despite the inevitable challenges, Rick says that watching the project come to life has been immensely rewarding. In fact, some aspects are already exceeding what he originally imagined. Walking around the property, it is easy to see why.

Families ride bikes between accommodation precincts, caravanners settle in their drive-through powered or ensuite sites and guests gather around the restaurant and entertainment spaces as the afternoon sun reflects off the resort pool. There is a sense that Trentham Waters is steadily evolving into the destination Rick envisioned all those years ago.

Poolside Dining at KOKOMO

One of the standout features already operating is the resort restaurant. Positioned to take advantage of the relaxed pool setting, the venue offers a menu that balances crowd favourites with a few more contemporary touches.

Visitors can settle in with share plates such as brisket tacos, grilled chicken skewers, salt-and-pepper calamari, or fried haloumi before moving on to larger meals, including smash burgers, chicken schnitzels, seafood linguine, barramundi, and premium Black Angus porterhouse steaks.

The wood-fired pizzas have also developed a strong following, with everything from classic Margherita through to gourmet combinations featuring prosciutto, truffle mushrooms and seafood toppings. After a day spent on the river or exploring the Mildura region, it is exactly the sort of relaxed dining experience many travellers are looking for.

As the next stages of development are completed, Trentham Waters appears well positioned to become one of the Murray River’s standout tourism destinations. For visitors, it offers an increasingly compelling reason to spend a few extra days exploring the region. 

For Rick Kelly, it represents something even more meaningful. A lifelong connection to the Murray River has been transformed into a destination others can now enjoy, ensuring future generations create their own memories beside the water that inspired it all.

TRENTHAM WATERS RESORT AT A GLANCE

Address: 6635 Sturt Highway, Trentham Cliffs NSW 2738

Phone: 1300 356 635

Email: hello@trenthamwatersmildura.com.au

Website: trenthamwatersmildura.com.au

• 77 powered caravan and camping sites
• 14 premium ensuite sites
• Powered sites from $70 per night*
• 32 modern villas currently available
• Villas from $198 per night*
• Riverfront location near Mildura, Victoria
• River walks, Beach Club and River Retreats due by late 2026
• Additional 24 villas due in early 2027
• Full Trentham Waters Living development expected within three years

*Seasonal pricing applies.

TRENTHAM WATERS RESTAURANT HIGHLIGHTS

Share Plates
• Brisket tacos
• Grilled chicken skewers
• Loaded fries
• Fried haloumi with hot honey
• Prawn cocktail
• Cauliflower bites
• Salt and pepper calamari

Mains
• Smash burger and fries
• Chicken schnitzel
• Porterhouse steak sandwich
• Pan-fried barramundi
• Seafood linguine
• Thai mango salad
• Grilled chicken salad
• 300g Black Angus porterhouse steak

Wood-Fired Pizza
• Margherita
• Pepperoni
• Los Pollos chicken pizza
• Chorizo pizza
• Prosciutto pizza
• Funghi pizza
• Prawn and barramundi pizza

Desserts
• Banana split
• Chocolate brownie
• Mildura Ice Cream selection