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Victoria
Best things to do and places to see in Gippsland
RACV
January 06, 2025
Gippsland covers a vast area of south-eastern Victoria, offering a dramatic coastline, unspoilt beaches, majestic inland waterways, beautiful farming districts, old-growth forests, snowfields and much more. Here’s our guide to many of the best things to do and places to see in the region.
Gippsland stretches along the south-east of Victoria from Melbourne’s outer-eastern suburbs to the far corner of the state at the border with New South Wales.
The coast takes in Phillip Island and its famous penguin parade, the spectacular Wilsons Promontory National Park, the long and golden Ninety Mile Beach, the pristine Gippsland Lakes and remote wilderness areas in Far East Gippsland.
Inland, you’ll encounter lush, rolling hills through the Strzelecki Ranges, the ancient Tarra Bulga National Park and wide, open plains at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, where winding roads take you up to attractions like the Walhalla historic gold mining village and Mt Baw Baw National Park.
With so much on offer, this guide to Gippsland covers many of the best things to do and places to see.
Electric car owners are also advised to check EV charging availability along the route prior to leaving. RACV Members can access information about EV charging stations via the RACV App.
Penguins on parade, marching up into the dunes after arriving on shore. Image: Visit Victoria
Fish and chips at Cowes Beach is hard to beat. Image: Visit Victoria
Lavender farm on Churchill Island overlooking Western Port. Image: Visit Victoria
The awe-inspiring Cape Woolamai. Image: Tourism Australia
Pelican feeding time at San Remo. Image: Tourism Australia
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Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, following the Bass Highway around Western Port and French Island, you will enjoy beautiful bayside vistas as you descend into San Remo and reach the bridge to Phillip Island. From here, you have access to some of Victoria’s finest surf beaches and wildlife sanctuaries, including the world-famous penguins. Here are some of the attractions:
Penguin Parade – close-up encounter with one of Australia’s largest fairy penguin colonies
The Nobbies – Bass Strait views, seal watching, blowhole, discovery centre
Take a boat ride out to the imposing Skull Rock near Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory. Image: Tourism Australia
Eagles Nest on the Bunurong Coast near RACV Inverloch. Image: Visit Victoria
Ocean views from RACV Inverloch Resort.
The charming town of Loch on the South Gippsland Highway. Image: Visit Victoria
The emerald Strzelecki Ranges on the Grand Ridge Road. Image: Visit Victoria/everyday nicky
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Hugging the coast or meandering through the hills in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires, stopping off at the RACV Inverloch Resort (or using it as a great base), will bring forth Wilsons Prom, wineries, olive groves, beaches and villages well versed in tempting foodies and art lovers alike. Highlights include:
Stunning vistas greet skiers and boarders seeking snow play at Mount Baw Baw. Image: Visit Victoria
The historic gold mining village of Walhalla. Image: Tourism Australia
The Tambo River runs along the Great Alpine Road. Image: Visit Victoria
The art deco Golden Age Motel in Omeo. Image: Visit Victoria/everyday nicky
The Buchan Caves draw many visitors to Snowy Mountain country. Image: Visit Victoria
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Heading north from various points along the Princes Highway as you’re travelling through Gippsland will take you towards the Victorian Alps into tall timber country with ancient rainforests, hidden valleys and historic sites. Here are some reasons to visit:
Foodies flock to the award-winning The Long Paddock cafe in Lindenow. Image: Visit Victoria
The Narkoojee winery and restaurant, north of Glengarry. Image: Visit Victoria
Lake Glenmaggie is a popular spot for waterskiing and fishing. Image: Visit Victoria
The historic Tinamba Hotel is well worth a visit. Image: Visit Victoria
The Blue Pool waterhole and gorge near Briagolong. Image: Visit Victoria
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Through the heart of Gippsland in the Latrobe Valley, where major centres such as Traralgon meet with coal country, take any number of arteries into rich, productive farming districts, pretty towns and tranquil picnic and camping spots, all with a backdrop of the Great Dividing Range. Things to do and see include:
Gippsland Lakes is Australia's largest inland waterway. Image: Visit Victoria
The pristine Ninety Mile Beach with its big dunes and strong surf. Image: Visit Victoria
The incredible Mitchell River silt jetties. Image: Tourism Australia
Metung marina at Bancroft Bay. Image: Tourism Australia
Koala colony at Raymond Island near Paynesville. Image: Visit Victoria/everyday nicky
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From the Thomson River at Sale, Australia’s largest inland ‘lake district’ emerges – Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington, fed by seven mighty rivers flowing down from the High Country and locked in from the Tasman Sea by the pristine Ninety Mile Beach. Choose your adventure:
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park – islands, wetlands, kayaking, Nyerimilang homestead
Loch Sport – coastal haven, boating, fishing, wildlife, The Lakes National Park, Rotamah Island
Canoeists near Gypsy Point in the Croajingolong National Park. Image: Tourism Australia
Boats moored in Mallacoota Inlet. Image: Visit Victoria
Quarry Beach near Mallacoota. Image: Visit Victoria
Honeymoon Bay near Point Hicks, Croajingolong National Park. Image: Tourism Australia
Kayaking and paddle boarding on Lake Corringle near Marlo. Image: Visit Victoria
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Travelling east from Orbost towards the New South Wales border will send you into great forests, coastal wilderness areas and remote communities, showing yet more sides to Gippsland. The attractions of this area include:
Marlo – mouth of the Snowy River, wild beaches, calm estuary walks, boating, fishing
