Construction on the region's newest major cultural attraction, the Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO), has entered its final stages, with significant civil works now nearing completion.
A joint initiative between Wentworth Shire Council and Mildura Rural City Council, the project is on track to open to the public on Friday 3 April 2026, coinciding with the Easter long weekend.
Located adjacent to the Perry Sandhills and Thegoa Lagoon, the FOSO site has undergone a major transformation in recent months. Led by head contractor Jointly, civil construction works including essential road access, car park development, and drainage installation are now largely complete.
Structural works have also progressed significantly. Retaining walls have been constructed to form an elevated viewing platform-designed to provide visitors with a panoramic vantage point of the immersive light and sound display-and foundations for the artwork have been finalised. Over the coming weeks, construction activity will focus on the completion of the viewing platform, visitor amenities, and the installation of demountable buildings.
The project will soon welcome the creative team behind the installation with members of Bruce Munro's Studio team scheduled to commence the artwork installation from 9 February 2026. This intricate process will continue over a six-week period, involving the installation of 80 columns of light and the complex fibre optic systems that will synchronise with the original orchestral score composed by Nainita Desai.
Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Linklater, said it was thrilling to witness the project taking shape.
"It is exciting to see the progress on site; the sheer scale of the installation now becoming visible is truly impressive," Cr Linklater said.
"FOSO is going to be a great place for locals and visitors to explore for years to come. Personally, I am truly excited to immerse myself amongst the lights and music once it opens. Beyond the experience itself, our local businesses and visitor economy are sure to thrive with an installation of this scale attracting new visitation. I would like to congratulate the project teams for their hard work in bringing this vision together."
Mildura Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Ali Cupper, highlighted the collaborative effort driving the project. "As we move into this final construction phase, we are getting closer to unveiling an experience that will not only captivate locals but draw visitors from across Australia to our region," Cr Cupper said.
FOSO is a complementary installation to the Trail of Lights in Mildura. Tickets for both experiences are now on sale and can be purchased via mildura.com/lights/tickets.
The Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
