Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Travel Information

At the Gippsland Lakes five rivers end their journey to the sea and in so doing create Australia’s largest waterway.

Green pastures grow show-quality fruit and vegetables, many grown organically such as near the town of Drouin where there you will find a number of organic cheese factories and fruit farms. With so much coast, as you might expect, fresh seafood abounds.

The historic township of Walhalla is an interesting stop and will take you back in time to the days when gold fever gripped Gippsland – one of the richest gold-bearing reefs in Australia was found here. Today the abandoned houses and hotels have been lovingly restored and are fascinating to wander through. So too at Port Albert, once a thriving transport centre, there is plenty to learn of Australian history. During its heyday it was an official port of entry into Australia receiving ships and cargo directly from London, but now the buildings lie near-deserted and are fascinating to roam through.

Link to accommodation, cottages & bed and breakfasts in the Gippland region of Victoria

At Wilsons Promontory National Park is the southern-most point of the Australian mainland where apart from the breathtaking views, you will find an abundance of unique flora and fauna. Over 140 different species of birds live in this national park and there are many wombats, koalas and wallabies to be encountered on any of the 30 walks in the park.

East Gippsland

At the Gippsland Lakes five rivers end their journey to the sea and in so doing create Australia’s largest waterway. A paradise for boaters and fishermen, it is the perfect place to break your tour and take to the water.

Most of the lakeside towns such as Paynesville, Hollands Landing and even the smaller ones such as Nicholson or Johnsonville have boats for hire. Exploring the various waterways is great fun – navigate your way around Lake King, Lake Victoria or Lake Wellington, just to name a few. Lake Tyers, the most eastern lake in the system is bordered by ocean and state forests and meandering along it as it moves inland to Nowa Nowa is a real adventure.

For those with land legs, there is plenty to do in the cosmopolitan towns of Metung or Lakes Entrance that are full of cafes, shops and craft.

Take a 2-hour cruise around Bancroft Bay and Shaving Point, enjoy the scenic drives, bushwalks, and have a fish. There are many walks around Lake King, Tambo Bluff and Chinaman’s Creek.

Immediately fronting the coast beyond the Gippsland Lakes is the Ninety Mile Beach with its deep, golden sands that stretch from north of Yarram to Lakes Entrance. It is perfect for swimming, fishing and sand dune sliding!

To the north-east lies the Buchan Caves and at the state’s eastern tip is the majestic wilderness coastline of the Croajingolong National Park – many believe it to be the jewel in the crown of Victorian National Parks. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve has diverse eco systems which remain as pristine as they were when Australia’s first people inhabited this area. Magnificent beaches, dramatic rocky coastlines and a wonderful array of flora and fauna are to be found here.

The charming lakeside town of Mallacoota is nestled in the park and from nearby Cann River, visitors can access areas such as Point Hicks with its sand dunes, lighthouse, walks and camping areas.

Next time you are travelling from Sydney to Melbourne or Canberra to Melbourne take the time to explore South Eastern Gippsland. Tourism Vict-oria suggests six days as the ideal length for the Syd-ney-Melbourne Coastal Drive and has devised an itinerary that takes in the main highlights.

To find out more, contact the Victorian Visit-or Information Centre on 132 842 or visit their website at www.visitmelbourne.com