Renowned for its natural beauty, Gippsland is a unique destination that awaits your discovery. Cool temperate rainforest gives way to pristine beaches while intimate seaside villages attract the city’s renowned chefs, who serve up produce fresh from the ocean. Alpine townships thrive during ski season, then transform into hiking and mountain biking meccas during summer.
You’d better visit this growing Victorian region quick, as Gippsland’s reputation as a captivating getaway destination is luring in travellers from around the globe. These “Gippsland lovers” are repeatedly coming back to enjoy its unspoilt national parks and cascading waterfalls, water sports and fishing, the closest downhill ski village to Melbourne and some of the world’s best cold-climate wines.
What memorable experiences can you have in Gippsland? We’ve covered a snippet of the attractions, towns and experiences that comprise the heart and soul of this beloved region. We’ll leave the rest for you to uncover.
Alluring Nature
Lose yourself within Gippsland’s diverse nature and wildlife, which ranges from white-capped mountains and verdant rainforests to picturesque beaches and windswept coastal trails. Within these diverse environments lives a wealth of fascinating native wildlife, including dolphins, whales, kangaroos and lyrebirds.
Must-Do Nature Highlights
- Spotting koalas on Raymond Island
- Seeing humpback and southern right whales long the Bass Coast Whale Trail
- Climbing through the Buchan Caves
- Finding cascading waterfalls at Toorongo Falls Reserve
- Wandering past wombats and lyrebirds in Croajingolong National Park
- Exploring coastal scenery and granite mountains at Wilsons Promontory National Park
World-Class Beaches
Gippsland’s beaches, bays and coves take centre stage during the warmer months, treating you to soft sand, popular surf breaks, family-friendly swimming holes and secluded coastal retreats. From private bays in a Heritage-listed national park to beach campsites and surf-crazy towns, Gippsland showcases an alluring selection of beach experiences.
Must-Do Beach Highlights
- Walking and swimming at Sealers Cove, Little Waterloo Bay and Refuge Cove in Wilsons Promontory National Park
- The white-sand Waratah Bay
- Camping alongside Ninety Mile Beach
- Fishing, surfing, boating and birdwatching at beaches around Mallacoota
- Surfing and fishing at Pearl Point Cape and West Cape
- Snorkelling for abalone shells at Quarry Beach
- Picnicking at Secret Beach
- Visiting coastal townships and hidden bays along the Bunurong Coastal Drive
Outdoor Adventures
Adrenalin junkies, water sport enthusiasts and powder hounds are treated to adventure playgrounds in Gippsland. These exhilarating environments include the year-round action at Mount Baw Baw, mountain biking trails and immersive walking trails.
Must-Do Adventure Highlights
- Skiing and snowboarding down 35 hectares of groomed and off-piste terrain at Mount Baw Baw
- Cross-country skiing, tobogganing and Howling Husky sled dog tours at Mount Baw Baw
- Mountain biking and hiking through Baw Baw National Park and Nowa Nowa Mountain Bike Park
- Water skiing, boating, scuba diving and fishing at the 600-square-kilometre Gippsland Lakes region
- Hiking the 6.8-kilometre-long roundtrip Mount Oberon Summit Walk for sunrise views over Wilsons Promontory National Park
- Strolling the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk to see lyrebirds, giant mountain ash trees and Cyathea Falls
- Taking on the 41.4-kilometre-long Great Walhalla Alpine Trail, perfect for adventurous travellers
Foodie Havens
Gippsland is known for its food and wine, with charming cafes, picturesque wineries and fine-dining restaurants found within and around many of its townships. Treat yourself to some of Australia’s best cool-climate wines at more than 40 cellar doors and wineries or dine at cosy family-run restaurants serving fresh local produce.
Must-Do Foodie Highlights
- Dining on fresh seasonal produce at Hogget Kitchen, expertly crafted into sumptuous meals by celebrated local chef, Trevor Perkins
- Drinking boutique Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc at Toms Cap
- Combining tapas and paella with Australian-grown Spanish wine at Brandy Creek Estate
- Dining on French-inspired food and wine at Cannibal Creek Winery
- Tasting Australian ales, gin, single malt whisky and vodka at Loch Brewery & Distillery
- Visiting the Sardine Eatery + Bar for fresh locally-sourced seafood, cheese and produce plated by an award-winning chef
- Enjoying afternoon cocktails and Raymond Island views at Pier 70
- Devouring the signature Neilsons Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Snickers Soufflé at Neilsons Kitchen in Traralgon
- Pairing oysters, squid, fish or dumplings with local beer and cider at Little Prince
- Picking up organic local produce at Udder and Hoe
- Purchasing gourmet cheeses after meeting the farm animals at Prom Country Cheese
Rich Australian History
History lovers can explore some of Australia’s most engaging heritage sites and villages in Gippsland. Immerse yourself in hundreds of years of fascinating history, culture and traditions while visiting museums, exploring a gold rush-era railway and searching for fossils a dinosaur dig site.
Must-Do History Highlights
- Wandering past old stores and over 30,000 artefacts at the Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
- Riding the Walhalla Goldfields Railway through Stringers Creek Gorge while learning about Walhalla’s gold mining history
- Finding gold mining relics, caves and old dig sites within the Oriental Claims Historic Area
- Searching for dinosaur fossils with an expert palaeontologist at the Inverloch Dinosaur Dreaming dig site
- Staying overnight in a former keeper’s cottage at the 19th-century Point Hicks Lighthouse
- Discovering rich Indigenous Australian history and culture along the Bataluk Cultural Trail
Unforgettable Road Trips
One of the best ways to experience Gippsland is by getting behind the wheel and cruising along some of the region’s most captivating touring routes. Whether you want to explore the coastline, dive head first into the region’s food scene or lose yourself among alpine landscapes, Gippsland has a road trip for you.
Must-Do Gippsland Road Trips
- The Great Alpine Road
Highlights:
- Tastings at Ensay Winery, a family-run winery in the undulating hills of Tambo River Valley
- Waterfalls and Australian Alps views at Mount Buffalo National Park
- Cycling the East Gippsland Rail Trail
- Visiting the circa-1930s St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
Highlights:
- Sunbathing and swimming at the tranquil Refuge Cove
- Riding the Walhalla Goldfields Railway
- Exploring Tarra Bulga National Park
- Snorkelling at Wilsons Promontory National Park
- West Gippsland Nature & Graze Trail
Highlights:
- Charming restaurants, bed and breakfasts and wineries surrounded by the Strzelecki Ranges and Baw Baw National Park
- Visiting local artisan produces, wine sellers, graziers and dairy farmers
- Handmade pizzas at 3 Brothers and an Oven
- French-inspired wine at Cannibal Creek Winery
- House-smoked meat at Hogget Kitchen
Highlights:
- Skiing and snowboarding at Mount Baw Baw
- Gold mining heritage within Walhalla
- Art galleries at Yarragon
- Explore award-winning Pinot-producing wineries around the West Gippsland wine trail
- Shopping at the Warragul Farmers Market
- Exploring the Ada Tree Rainforest Walk
Tiny Towns Full of Character
Ultimately, Gippsland’s enduring charm comes from its astounding amount of picturesque townships, most of which have local markets, art galleries, gourmet restaurants and historical and cultural attractions. They’re also a great place to relax between sightseeing and simply enjoy welcoming locals and hidden boutiques.
Must-Visit Towns in Gippsland:
- Tinamba – Known for its dairy farming and locally-sourced food and wine at Tinamba Hotel
- Fish Creek – Known for the Art-Deco Fish Creek hotel and local markets at the Fish Creek Memorial Hall
- Walhalla – Known for its Heritage-listed buildings, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway journey and gold rush memorabilia at the Old Walhalla Post Office Museum
- Glengarry – Known for its high tea and homemade cakes at A Spoonful of Cake and fresh pastries and baked treats in Bushies Bakery
- Bruthen – Known for the Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival and the boutique beer served at Bullant Brewery
