Maffra
Enjoy a scenic drive along Maffra's tree-lined 19th century main street and stay a while to explore a town steeped in history.
Heritage town
Named after the town of Maffra in Portugal due to the fact that some early settlers had reportedly fought in Spain and Portugal during the Peninsula War. Maffra started to grow in 1862, when a punt conveyed hopeful miners along the Macalister River to the goldfields. During the 1890s a sugar beet industry started and operated until the weather and competition for labour from the dairying industry ended it after World War II.
Historic buildings
Visit the Beet Museum, which chronicles the early industry, as well as the cattle and dairying heritage of the district. Experience motoring history at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection, or take a stroll to see the town's original shop verandahs and grand homesteads such as the Duart.
Riverside recreation
Fish for seasonal trout along the Macalister and Thomson rivers, or travel north from Heyfield to Lake Glenmaggie for boating, waterskiing and camping. Visit Stratford Village on the Avon River for art and craft shops, antiques and bric a brac.
Things to do
Sale Common wetlands include freshwater marshes and red gum woodlands with an enormous variety of birdlife that you can see from the boardwalk.
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The Maffra Golf Club is one of the jewels in East Gippsland's golfing crown. Established more than 50 years ago the course is beautifully maintained...
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Ride from Stratford to Tinamba on a high quality, new surface track, passing through dairy country with views of the Great Dividing Range.
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The Gippsland Vehicle Collection provides south east Australia with an outstanding rotating display of interesting vehicles including cars,...
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