Great Drives of East Gippsland
High Country Golf & Heritage
Omeo - Cassillis - Swifts Creek
Omeo
- This town's gold rush heritage is reflected through its splendid old buildings.
- The vastness of Australia's alluvial gold digging is a breathtaking viewing experience. With cliffs looming more than 200 feet high and a maze of tunnels running for miles underground, these claims were some of the richest in the state. Set around the Livingstone Creek the claims are heritage listed and boast a unique flora and fauna. With more than a dozen bushwalks and easy car access to the claims, this 243 ha area is well worth the stop.
- This village was named after a small township in Scotland and was a thriving mining centre in the 1880's. It was once home to some 1000 people but today, however, there is little evidence of its passing save a lonely, but fascinating cemetery filled with miners and their kin. Set in a quiet but picturesque valley, this place is well worth paying respects to.
- Swifts Creek is a small, saw-milling town on the Tambo River. It is one of a series of historic villages in the Victorian high country and is on the Great Alpine Road section of the Omeo Highway. The town is ideal for tourists who want to stop a while and bask in the mountain scenery of alpine streams cutting through majestic gums and mountain ash, try their hand at a little fly fishing or explore the old goldfields. Centrepiece of the town is the bakery whose nineteenth century, wood-fired oven produces scrumptious fresh bread, pastries and cakes every day.
Gippsland Lakes Rivers & the 90 Mile Beach
Lakes Entrance - Nyerimilang Park - Metung - Swan Reach - Bruthen
Gippsland Lakes
- Did you know the Gippsland Lakes is the largest water system in the Southern Hemisphere and is edged by the famous 90 Mile Beach? The Lookout, Kalimna Hill, Lakes Entrance. Take in views of some 60kms of inland salt-water lakes, the entrance to the ocean, 90 Mile Beach and Bass Strait.
- This historic homestead is beautifully maintained and features great views and walking tracks.
- This charming village was home to the Bull's shipyard, established in 1913 by Captain James Bull. In days gone by, large steamers plied the lakes carrying wool, timber, wheat and passengers between East Gippsland and Melbourne.
- Popular destination for fishermen, with many types of native fish - especially bream - to qualify it as a great place to catch a meal.
- Bruthen is a small country town overlooking the Tambo river and surrounded by native flora and fauna. Situated 300kms east of Melbourne on the Omeo Highway/Great Alpine Road, Bruthen boasts natural attractions such as clean, freshwater waterholes for a refreshing swim and a rainforest on the outskirts of town so pristine it's hard to believe. Bruthen is central to all sports and recreational activities which include: fishing, snow & water skiing, surfing, boating, bushwalking and 4 wheeldriving, all within a short distance in any direction.
Mitchell river Silt Jetties & the Raymond Island Koalas
Bairnsdale - Mitchell River Silt Jetties - Eagle Point - Paynesville - Raymond Island
Bairnsdale
- Bairnsdale, the western gateway to the Lakes and Wilderness region of East Gippsland, still retains the quiet country pace and fresh air that you don't get in a bigger city. Not quite city, not quite country. On the banks of the Mitchell River, Bairnsdale manages to retain a unique atmosphere as the commercial and administrative hub of the region.
- Winding through Bairnsdale towards Paynesville, the Mitchell River draws its water from the Wonnangatta and
Dargo High Plains with a spectacular entrance to Lake King through the Mitchell River Silt Jetties. An environmental marvel, these jetties
were formed by silt deposits during flood times and are some 8 kms long - second in size to those of the Mississippi River!
Hop growing was a flourishing industry along the river flats from the 1870's until 1916 until crops were decimated by red spider. Today vegetable growing is the area's major industry. Be sure to have film in your camera - this experience offers unbelievable views and sunsets.
- Foreshore featuring stunning views and an ideal spot for a tranquil picnic or family swim.
- Paynesville boasts sheltered waters extending in an arc of 300 degrees - and with the mooring of over 1000 boats, is acclaimed the boating capital of Victoria.
- Raymond Island is home to a large community of koalas, freely roaming and going lazily about their ways. Keep an eye out - and the abundance of bird life is amazing too.
Buchan and the Buchan Caves
Buchan
Buchan and Buchan Caves
- Near the Township of Buchan lies a honeycomb of caves full of spectacular limestone formations.
Bukan-Mungie or 'place of rocks with holes in them', is aboriginal for the limestone rich area around Buchan which has enormous natural beauty. Whilst Buchan is best known for its famous spectacular underground caves toured by generations of visitors, its history as one of the oldest townships in Victoria goes back much further than the discovery of the caves.
- BUCHAN CAVES WALKS Moon Hill Walk (0.5 hr, 0.5 km return)
This short walk leads to an excellent viewpoint overlooking the reserve. The walk will take you past a small cave, so take your torch and have a look in the entrance to Moon Cave. The track continues past the Devils Punchbowl, a large collapsed cave system, to the top of the hill. From here you can see the extent of the exposed limestone on both sides of the valley.
Caves Reserve Track (2 hrs, 4 km return)
This walk starts opposite the children's playground following a fire access track along a ridge to the north western corner of the reserve. Making your way up this track you will come to an intersection. Turn left and you will meet up with the Spring Creek Walking Track and the Granite Pools Walking Track. Continuing along the Caves Reserve Track you will be able to return to the campground via the Northern Arm Track.
Granite Pools Walk (2.5 hrs, 4 km return)
This is one of the steeper walks and makes its way through some tall timber and moss covered gullies. As you climb higher you will take in some wonderful views of the Buchan Valley. Look for Ringtail Possum nests in the tall Teatree. Lyrebirds are also often sighted along this track.
Guided tours are conducted daily in Royal Cave and Fairy cave between 10am and 3.30pm. Both caves are lit and have walkways with Royal Cave featuring calcite rimmed pools, and Fairy cave, elaborate stalactites and stalagmites.
Amongst the hundreds of deciduous trees growing in the Reserve, there is a swimming Pool, picnic ground, playground, toilets, kiosk, powered campsites and an information centre.
Entry to the Reserve is free, and optional guided tours attract an admission fee. Tours to "wild", unlit caves can be arranged for small groups.
Raymond Creek Falls and Snowy River
From Orbost to Raymond Creek Falls
The Snowy River and Orbost
- Park the car at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre to take a wander through the centre's magnificent outdoor rainforest setting, and then over to Orbost's picturesque parkland hugging the Snowy River. Laze by the banks of the Snowy by foot upstream or downstream to enjoy it's magnificence.
- Orbost is the gateway to seven national parks and is just ten minutes drive from the golden sands of the
Ninety Mile Beach. The historical Slab Hut Tourist Information Centre with its unique atmosphere and friendly staff can help you
plan your stay in the Orbost area. This is a genuine pioneer's hut, built in 1872 and is open seven days a week.
The Slab Hut also displays many historical photographs of Orbost identities and landmarks, and sells local craft. Forest park, near the slub hut, provides parking for cars and buses. There are picnic and barbecue facilities, disabled toilets and a well equipped playground. All within walking distance of the Snowy River.
- The drive to Raymond creek Falls is full of interesting highlights including the State Forest which previews fine
stands of sweet pittosporum and stringybark.
At the Falls, a 20 - 30 minute walking track leads to spectacular views of the 20m. plunge of the Raymond Creek Falls to a deep clear pool. The picnic and fireplace facilities at Raymond Creek Falls are brilliantly set in natural openings within the bush. A great place to relax and restore.
Marlo and Cape Conran
Snowy River - Marlo - Cape Conran - Cabbage Tree Creek
Snowy River Flats
- From the Snowy River to the ocean, high plateaus to the lush river flats there is no doubt that your senses will be elevated in this region. Tour operators know this country like the back of their hand so you can paddle down a rapid on the river, walk beside it or take a trail ride.
- With magnificent views out over the Snowy River's coastal waterways and the ocean beyond, this spot is a fisherman's paradise.
- Cape Conran is a natural coastal playground of outstanding beauty. Enjoy miles of sandy beaches, and explore
rockpools, boardwalks, bushwalks and lookouts. Diverse flora and fauna can be found in the coastal heathlands and banksia woodlands.
Keep an eye out for dolphins and seals in the ocean.
This precious coastal area is popular for surfing, diving, swimming and fishing offshore in the surf or in the Snowy Estuary.Canoeists and walkers alike enjoy the tranquil waters of the Yeerung River year round. Enjoy spectacular sunsets from the West Cape beach.
- The southern most stands of these majestic palms can be found spotted amongst the mahogany forest of the Cabbage Tree Creek. Bell miners provide an orchestral ambience along the walking track.
Croajingolong Wilderness
Croajingolong - Gypsy Point - Mallacoota - Shipwreck Creek
Croajingolong
- A UNESCO declares world Biosphere Reserve, this area features coastal plains, heathlands, mixed forests and pockets of warm temperate rainforest. The fauna is rich and varied with an abundance of wildlife including mammals, marsupials, reptiles, bats and a great variety of birdlife - nearly 300 species, many rare and migratory. Seals, dolphins and whales are often spotted off the coast.
- A tranquil hamlet with boat ramp and very popular for fishing, canoeing, bird watching and bushwalking. Fabulous views of Bottom Lake, Howe Range, Gabo Island and Lighthouse along the way.
- Mallacoota Inlet, with its shimmering lakes, rivers, pristine forests and turquoise sea lapping quiet beaches, captivates everyone who holidays here and urges them "to come back again". Mallacoota is a true year-round destination, with Victoria's warmest winter temperatures and cooling breezes fresh from the ocean in summer. Experience the joys of doing just what takes your fancy. Walking, fishing, boating, bird watching (30% of Australia's birdlife is seen here), 4WD, canoeing, kayaking, cruising, golfing, bowling, swimming, surfing . and most of all, "switching off" to re-charge your batteries while the rest of the world goes by.
- Famous for the 20 or so wrecks that occurred on this wilderness coast between 1853 ane 1930 (including the 'Monumental City' and 'The Schah'), keep an eye out for the rare ground parrot which inhabits this spot. Shipwreck Creek is great for paddling and more experienced swimming and surfing. Take time to enjoy a picnic at this site.