Sallie Jones is the dairy farmer behind Gippsland Jersey in Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland. She shares some of her favourite spots near Lakes Entrance and Warragul in Gippsland with us.
1. Hogget Kitchen
One of the best restaurants in the region for seasonal produce, Hogget Kitchen puts together a charcuterie board of local goods that takes Sallie's fancy. The kitchen has a hat from the Good Food Guide 2023, so she's not alone in her high opinion of its talents.
2. Noojee Trestle Bridge
The historic Noojee Trestle Bridge is iconic around these parts. It's also the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria. Take a tip from Sallie and head out for stroll across the bridge, or continue on for an extended walk or cycle along the surrounding trails.
3. Mt Baw Baw
Sallie used to work up at Mt Baw Baw and she still loves to return for a taste of alpine air. 'The gum trees are amazing up there,' she says, 'and the tourist road is very Instagrammable.'
4. Burra Brewing Co
Take a micro break at microbrewery Burra Brewing Co in Kurumburra, south of Warragul. It's not just the local craft beer and beer garden that make it worthwhile – Sallie likes to order a wood-fired pizza, too.
5. Albert & Co
Sit back with a coffee on the 'fancy' chairs, as Sallie calls them, looking out over the fishing boats coming and going from Lakes Entrance. (We noticed there's also a cheeky list of cocktails just right for sundown).
6. East Gippsland Rail Trail
Sallie loves spending time in the beautiful Gippsland outdoors, so why not take her advice and explore on two wheels. The 96-kilometre East Gippsland Rail Trail runs from Bairnsdale in the west, to Orbost in the east.
7. The Local Inverloch
When she's not hard at work on the farm, Sallie's up for a day trip to Inverloch beach and recommends grabbing an Allpress coffee at The Local cafe. 'The Local' is its official name, trust us.
