Gippsland AUSTRALIA VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA A D A To Sydney O Buchan R KEY ATTRACTIONS E N I P PHILLIP ISLAND L East A WILSONS PROMONTORY NATIONAL PARK T Mallacoota A E MOUNT BAW BAW R G WALHALLA HISTORIC TOWNSHIP A1 Croajingolong TARRA BULGA NATIONAL PARK National Park Melbourne Mount Bairnsdale GIPPSLAND LAKES Baw Baw Nungurner GIPPSLAND'S HIGH COUNTRY Walhalla Historic A1 CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK Township Dandenong Gippsland Lakes Entrance West Lakes Metung TOURS + ATTRACTIONS S O M1 PENNICOTT WILDERNESS JOURNEYS U T H Tynong ch GREAT SOUTHERN ESCAPES G I P M1 Bea P Sale e AUSTRALIAN CYCLING HOLIDAYS S L Warragul PRINCES HWY AN Trafalgar Mil D HWY SNOWY RIVER CYCLING ty Mornington Traralgon ne VENTURE OUT Ni Central Y W GUMBUYA WORLD H Sorrento D BUCHAN CAVES N A Loch L S P P Tarra Bulga I Mirboo G ACCOMMODATION Korumburra North National Park H T Leongatha U RACV INVERLOCH O S WILDERNESS RETREATS AT TIDAL RIVER Phillip Island LIMOSA RISE South Meeniyan BEAR GULLY COTTAGES Foster VIVERE RETREAT Inverloch Fish Creek WALHALLA'S STAR HOTEL Port Welshpool THE RIVERSLEIGH JETTY ROAD RETREAT Yanakie THE ESPLANADE RESORT AND SPA Walkerville BELLEVUE ON THE LAKES WAVERLEY HOUSE COTTAGES Wilsons Promontory MCMILLANS AT METUNG National Park 5 KNOTS Tidal River 02 VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA 03 Wildlife, in the Wild Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus, koalas, possums and echidnas are all commonly sighted Australian animals found in Gippsland. Wilsons Promontory National Park, just three hours' drive from Melbourne is a haven for Australian wildlife. Visit at dawn or dusk to take advantage of native animal viewing times at The Prom, as they forage for food. Offshore, there is a permanent seal colony at Kanowna Island, and little penguins are often spotted feeding at sea. Dolphins abound and at certain times of the year, southern right and humpback whales are often spotted. The Gippsland Lakes in the east abound with native birds and at Croajingolong National Park, over 280 species of birds co-exist. Raymond Island, just off Paynesville is home to a large koala colony and is the best place in Victoria to see koalas in the wild. Gippsland’s Lakes & Coast With over 600km of coastline, Gippsland is spoilt with its choice of beaches. The Gippsland Lakes provide a water-lover’s sanctuary as the largest inland waterway in Australia. From the beaches of the Bass Coast to Squeaky Beach at Wilsons Prom, and beyond to Ninety Mile Beach - one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of beaches in the world, Gippsland is a favourite for beach dwellers. BE INSPIRED BY Croajingolong National Park near Mallacoota encompasses 100km of coast and hinterland where lush rainforest gives way to rambling heathland and white sandy beaches. GIPPSLAND EXPERIENCES Gippsland The Gippsland Lakes provide the ultimate water playground for visitors. Stretching over 400 square kilometres the Gippsland Lakes offer secluded inlets, tranquil rivers and sheltered anchorages all year round. Visitors swim, sail, Gippsland is a diverse region located to boat, kayak, fish and stand-up paddle board in its sheltered waterways. the east of Melbourne, stretching all the way to the New South Wales border. Gippsland Food & Drink The region is known for expansive coastline and Gippsland is home to one of Australia’s emerging food and wine destinations. The the Gippsland Lakes, Wilsons Promontory National Park region produces an impressive array of premium, cool climate wines, quality cheeses, and a cluster of charming villages, including Walhalla, free range meats and organic fruit and vegetables. The region also produces much of Loch and Metung. It’s also known for the fresh fish and seafood served up in Melbourne eateries. great food and wine, and a chance to see wildlife in the wild. Gippsland is home to an emerging set of dining and drinking experiences worth the drive. In East Gippsland, Sardine Eatery + Bar and The Long Paddock source produce from local farmers and growers and are developing Gippsland offers an iconic coastal itinerary to a growing list of fans who drive from Melbourne to sample the weekend menu. self-drive between Sydney and Melbourne. VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA 05 The Gippsland Lakes & Croajingolong National Park The Gippsland Lakes offer the perfect boating destination, offering secluded inlets and sheltered anchorages year round. Local boat hire businesses teach visitors how to operate a yacht or cruiser, no licence required. Fishing in the region is a limitless adventure, with a long list of fish and crustaceans on offer. Enjoy a guided fishing tour of the lakes or take to the open water in search of some really big fins. Croajingolong National Park is one of Australia’s last true wilderness regions, hugging the coast for 100km north of the lakes region and home to estuaries, heathland, rocky beaches and tall forests. This translates to great bushwalking, bird and wildlife watching and stunning landscapes and sunsets for visitors driving the Sydney-Melbourne touring route. The Great Alpine Road & East Gippsland Villages THINGS TO SEE & DO From the top of Victoria to the Gippsland Lakes, the Great Alpine Road is a • Explore the coastal wilderness region of Croajingolong National Park stunning diversion from the main highway heading north or south. From pretty • Sail, boat, kayak or paddle the Gippsland Lakes, the largest inland East Gippsland GIPPSLAND EAST Bruthen, head north through Swifts Creek and historic Omeo, taking in crystal waterway system in Australia clear rivers, old gold huts and the odd winery and olive grove, towards the • Visit Buchan Caves and see the 400 million year old limestone cave formations The East Gippsland region is High Country. abundant with visitor experiences. • Cast a line from the Ninety Mile Beach at Lakes Entrance, Victoria’s longest beach Bairnsdale is a thriving central town, with some great eateries and shops, while • Buy freshly caught fish and seafood straight from the wharf Few places in the world offer the diverse waterways the lakeside villages of Metung, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance hug the water's • Drive the iconic Great Alpine Road from the lakes to the mountainous high country edge, the perfect launch spot for so many activities. Marlo and Mallacoota are and fishing opportunities of the Gippsland Lakes. • Visit Raymond Island to view koalas in the wild Learn how to sail, stand-up paddle board or kayak home to magnificent estuaries and Instagrammable backdrops. Inland, Bruthen, • Dine like a local at The Long Paddock at Lindenow and Sardine Eatery + Bar or take to the ocean from a deep sea fishing charter. Buchan and Omeo are full of local colour. at Paynesville Eleven world class national, coastal and marine • Take a tour of the Pinot Coast, commencing with the sweeping views from Lightfoot & parks and reserves are here to explore. Food & Drink Sons' vineyard Croajingolong National Park cocoons a diversity of East Gippsland offers a bounty of fresh local produce, be it freshly caught, natural environments, and the Buchan Caves Reserve raised on green pastures or created in the kitchens of local artisan producers. delivers beautiful calcite-rimmed pools in the Royal Colourful local beer producers, breathtaking cellar door backdrops and cool and Fairy Caves. climate wines ensure visitors to the region don’t go hungry. 06 VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA 07 Wilsons Promontory National Park Wilsons Promontory National Park is Victoria’s largest wilderness coastal landscape and Australia’s southern most mainland destination. Affectionately known as “The Prom”, it is a 50 000 hectare nature reserve threaded with a labyrinth of walking tracks. Home to tranquil rivers, intimate coves, granite mountaintops and lush forested valleys, The Prom also hosts an array of secluded beaches. The Prom is a refuge for an array of native wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas and koalas. Visitors are encouraged to stay overnight as the best wildlife viewing times are dawn and dusk when the animals feed. The birdlife is also prolific. Crimson rosellas, gold whistlers and yellow tailed black cockatoo are all visible here. Overnight options are available at Tidal River in the Wilderness Retreats and Limosa Rise, which is located just outside The Prom. Campers are spoilt for choice with a number of campsites at Tidal River or at locations on overnight hikes throughout The Prom. Villages Arts & Crafts South Gippsland The region is host to a number of charming villages and towns, bursting Many artists and craftspeople have chosen to make Prom Country their home, creating a with colour and country hospitality. Coastal towns of Sandy Point, Waratah vibrant arts community. Throughout the region there is a wide variety of galleries and GIPPSLAND SOUTH South Gippsland, often referred Bay, Walkerville and Venus Bay are home to some of the most beautiful several stores featuring quality products from local artists and craftspeople. beaches in Victoria. Swim, paddle or surf, or simply grab a towel and relax to locally as Prom Country, is a on the beach. Try your hand at fishing at one of the great fishing spots, THINGS TO SEE & DO leisurely two-hour drive south including Tarwin Lower. • Explore Wilsons Promontory National Park east of Melbourne. Cycle or walk the Great Southern and Grand Ridge Rail Trails The towns of Nyora, Poowong, Loch, Korumburra, Leongatha, Koonwarra, • Visit Cape Liptrap Coastal Reserve Mirboo North and Meeniyan are nestled amongst the rolling green hills, each • The region is renowned for its spectacular scenery, Discover Walkerville and the historic lime kilns with their own distinct charm. Discover what each has to offer. • unspoilt beaches, towering forests and farm fresh • Walk the Lyrebird Forest Walk produce. A nature-lover's paradise, Prom Country Food & Drink • Visit Agnes Falls, located near Toora is home to Wilsons Promontory National Park and South Gippsland is home to some of Victoria’s freshest and tastiest produce.