East Gippsland Accommodation

It is the major service centre for the East Gippsland Accommodation region, and is a holiday destination in its own right. It has many fine old buildings and there is a self-guided heritage walk, while Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place preserves the culture of the local Aborigines. The Bataluk cultural trail highlights Aboriginal cultural sites throughout the East Gippsland area, and a brochure is available. Birdwatchers should head to McLeod's Morass where many bird species can be spotted from a boardwalk across the wetlands. Bairnsdale marks the start of the 50km East Gippsland Rail Trail, a cycling track which follows the old railway line to the town of Nowa Nowa.

West of Bairnsdale lies Lindenow, halfway to Mitchell River National Park, a favourite with white-water enthusiasts as the waters of Mitchell River flow through a series of gorges and rapids.

Just east of Bairnsdale lies the little village of Eagle Point, where the Mitchell River empties into Lake King, creating one of the world's longest silt jetties. Further along the shores of Lake King is Paynesville, a boatie's haven with access to the calm waters of the Gippsland Lakes. Lakes King, Victoria and Wellington lie behind the sand barrier of Ninety Mile Beach and together they form the largest inland system of lakes in Australia.

On the other side of Lake King and just off the Princes Highway is Metung. Sitting on a promontory, the village looks out over the waters of Lakes King and Victoria. Boating and fishing are the most popular pastimes in this aquatic area, and you can take a cruise of the lakes or hire a boat from Metung.

At the point where the Gippsland Lakes drain into the sea lies Lakes Entrance. This is a fishing paradise, with the choice of dropping a line in the surf, off the rocks or jetty, in the lake or offshore. The town itself is separated from the ocean by a thin sand dune, with a bridge for access to the surf. Lakes Entrance is a holiday town, and there are plenty of activities for the holidaymaker - exploring the lake system by boat, taking a joy flight for a spectacular view of the lakes from the air or bushwalking in the surrounding forests.

Following the Princes Highway east, you will come across the town of Orbost, once an important shipping town for the steamers which plied the lower reaches of the Snowy River. Th town is surrounded by wonderful scenery, and there are bushwalks in nearby Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks. There is a scenic drive to Marlo on the coast, where the Snowy River reaches the ocean.

Croajingolong National Park protects much of the wild and remote coast between Orbost and Mallacoota. The lighthouse at Point Hicks stands where Captain Cook first set eyes on Australia in 1770. It has an unusual cast iron spiral staircase and there are daily tours. The park is noted for its wildflower displays in the spring and its extensive bird population. The Wilderness Coast Walk runs the length of the park, but before tackling all or part of the 100km walk, it is important to inform the park rangers of your intentions.

Close to the New South Wales border, at the end of Croajingolong National Park, is the seaside town of Mallacoota. While the fishing is good here too, the waters surrounding the town are particularly noted for their abalone and oysters.

The drive from Orbost through the hills to Buchan passes through lovely mountain areas. Buchan is famous for its limestone caves and it is possible to tour Royal Cave, with its calcite-ringed pool and Fairy Cave, filled with stalactites and stalagmites. There is also a spring-fed swimming pool in the reserve, as well as several bushwalks.

Heading from Bairnsdale along the Great Alpine Road, you will soon come across the river flats town of Bruthen, beside the Tambo River. Take a walk through the Fairy Dell, towering rainforest dominated by lilly-pilly and tree ferns.

As you head into the mountains, you will come across the historic Tambo Valley villages of Ensay and Swifts Creek. In this scenic valley you can soak up the mountain air, learn the fine art of fly-fishing or explore gold country.

Further on lies Omeo, which still retains some of its historic buildings despite being ravaged by earthquakes and bushfires over the years. In the winter it is a jumping off point for visitors to the snow, and in the summer for bushwalkers heading to the Bogong High Plains. In the area, you can take high country tours by foot, horse or even llama. See remnants of Omeo's goldmining past at Oriental Claims or try panning for gold along Livingstone Creek. Lake Omeo, to the northeast of the town, is a salt lake in an extinct volcano, where there is a tremendous variety of birdlife.

Finally, continue along the Great Alpine Road on the scenic drive past Dinner Plains to Mount Hotham. Well known to skiers and snowboarders alike in the winter, the town is a great base for exploring the high country in summer.

MITCHELL RIVER NATIONAL PARK at East Gippsland - 30km NE of Stratford

Best accessed from Princes Highway, 22km east of Stratford, via Fernbank Canoeing and rafting are popular activities on the Mitchell River, but this Park is best known for the lush temperate rainforest of the Woolshed Creek Gorge and the Den of Nargun. The gorges steep walls provide protection from the heat and drying winds. The amphitheatre provides very good views of the Gorge and with East Gippsland Accommodation; you can make your trip a memorable one.

DEN OF NARGUN - Wallers Road & East Gippsland Accommodation

East Gippsland's SNOWY RIVER NATIONAL PARK

- McKillops Bridge is one of the few places in the park with access to the Snowy River by conventional vehicle. The Deddick River meets the Snowy just upstream of the bridge and wide sandy beaches with shallow rock pools between the rapids make this a great swimming spot.
- This is also the best canoe-launching place for adventurers wanting to explore the gorges downstream. The Snowy offers thrilling canoeing or rafting with rugged gorges, rapids, flat sections with sand bars and beautiful scenery. The gently sloping sand bars make ideal camp sites.
- The 18 km Silver Mine Walking Track and the short Snowy River Trail both leave from McKillops Bridge.
- Little River Gorge, Victoria’s deepest gorge, is to the west of McKillops Bridge and downstream from the junction of the Little River and Snowy River.
After a well-signed 800 metre drive off the Bonang-Gelantip Road, a 400 metre walking track leads to a cliff-top lookout over the gorge. The descent beyond Little River Gorge into McKillops Bridge is one of Victoria’s most precarious roads, unsuitable for caravans and semi-trailers.
- In suitable conditions, visitors can drive along the Yalmy Road through magnificent tall forests to Waratah Flat, and then walk through the surrounding forest. Raymond Falls in the south of the park can be reached all year round from Orbost along Moresford Track. A short walking track leads to a view of
Raymond Falls plunging 20 metres into a deep, clear pool. McKillops Bridge is the finishing point for the Deddick Trail, a 43 km four-wheel drive track which starts on the Yalmy Road and travels through the heart of the park. Camping grounds are provided on the banks of the Snowy and Deddick.
- Fishing in the Snowy River can be disappointing, but tributaries often have good trout.

East Gippsland Shire

An Economic Development Co-Ordinator has been appointed to provide direct assistance and advice to generate sustainable growth in the region. All staff within the unit aim to assist existing businesses wherever possible, and also attract new investment into the region.

The unit conducts a range of events throughout the year including forums with quality guest speakers on key issues and counselling or mentoring activities.

Workshops on topics of interest are designed to help small businesses in particular keep in touch with modern trends and incorporate new ideas into their day-to-day activities.

The council has staff available to provide advice on any grants or assistance programs conducted by the State and Federal Governments.

The Tourism and Business Support Unit staffs are regularly in contact with other government departments and are a valuable resource for any business owner seeking details on potential sources of funds.

East Gippsland accommodation and tourism facts

For the year 2002 there were 679,000 domestic overnight visitors to the region and 48,000 international overnight visitors. The average length of stay was 2.9 nights which compares well with other Victorian regions.

A total of 3.3 million day visitors were recorded.

The council is working closely with Tourism Victoria along with the local East Gippsland Tourism Campaign Committee in a bid to improve those figures.

The Gippsland Lakes are East Gippsland’s major tourism icon and the region has adopted a branding of ‘Gippsland Lakes – Victoria’s Coastal Wilderness’.

That marketing brand is designed to feature the Lakes as a key attraction, but also acknowledge the diversity of natural attractions like the 90 Mile Beach, national parks and wilderness areas.

The key towns for tourism infrastructure growth are expected to be Lakes Entrance, Paynesville and Metung. However, smaller centers such as Omeo, Mallacoota, Bruthen and Buchan will be able to capitalize on additional tourism numbers as a region-wide approach to marketing is encouraged.

Orbost, on the banks of the Snowy River, and within easy driving distance to Marlo, Cape Conran and other wilderness areas is another emerging tourism destination.

So come and enjoy East Gippsland with accommodation located all over the east side of Lake Entrance.