Gippsland holidays

On a trip to Gippsland, you can enjoy three holidays in one: a relaxing lakeside break, a wilderness exploration through a range of national parks, and an adrenaline adventure on mountain bikes or skis. Oh, and there are 90 miles of beaches, too.

You can look forward to lakeside dining, watersports, and easy sailing at Gippsland Lakes and the small towns that line its coasts. Stroll along trails through forests and mountains in the national parks of Baw Baw, Tarra Bulga, Croajingolong, Snowy River, Errinundra, Morwell, Mitchell River, and more.

Drive the scenic twists of the Great Alpine Road, get off-road in a 4WD, or zip around Wilsons Promontory in a custom-built amphibious boat as you search for Australian fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, migrating whales, and white-bellied sea eagles. Go underground at Buchan Caves and the State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi. Or wait for the snow to fall and hit the powdery slopes.

When you base yourself in Gippsland Lakes, you can discover a network of inlets, lakes, islands, and small coastal towns beside 90 Mile Beach at the edge of the Bass Strait. Cruise among rare dolphins, swim in still waters, or let an afternoon pass gently as you fish from the shore. For something more energetic, you can go water-skiing, kayaking, or paddle-boarding. Go horse riding along the coast. Or simply stretch out on one of the world’s longest beaches.

Visit the Raymond Island koalas in their natural habitat. Enjoy lakeside dining in vibrant Paynesville, explore gardens and galleries in the yachting community of Metung, or taste the freshest seafood in the family resort town of Lakes Entrance. Hire a boat to sail between villages, wineries, and renowned restaurants. Whatever you’re looking for, Gippsland Lakes is the perfect base to explore the Victoria countryside.

Get active at your own pace when you explore Gippsland’s countryside and national parks in hiking boots or on two wheels. Inhale the scent of eucalyptus as you travel through the mountains of Baw Baw National Park on foot, cycle along white-knuckle mountain bike trails, or – when winter comes – on skis. Test your cycling skills on DH1, one of Australia’s toughest runs, or climb the Summit Walking Trail for views across the park below to the Bass Strait beyond.

Walk among mossy rocks and tree ferns on the short root around Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls. Follow the old Gippsland Plains railway line for 40 miles between Traralgon and Stratford, where you’ll pass through farmlands and over spectacular bridges. Explore the waterfalls and scenery of Tarra Bulga National Park and cross Corrigan Suspension Bridge on the Fern Gully Nature Walk. Or wander along coves, bays, glades, and the lighthouse at Wilsons Promontory.

Gippsland is a great place to visit all year round, but the best time to go may vary, depending on the activities you have planned. Summer lasts from December to March, and most areas are at their most vibrant during this time. Warm, dry days averaging 20°C are perfect for relaxing by the lakes, visiting the beaches, or exploring the national parks.

If you’d prefer to visit when it’s quieter, plan your Gippsland holiday in the shoulder months of April, May, October or November. The countryside takes on new colour in these spring and summer months, while most attractions remain open and easy to access.

Winter temperatures inland and at lower altitudes average approximately 10°C, but mountain and coastal regions will feel cooler. Gippsland’s ski season runs from June to October, depending on your chosen resort.