Sustainable holidays

A nature lover's delight, Gippsland boasts an abundance of national parks, beautiful coastline, mountains and lakes. With climate change threatening the physical environment, visitors can take a sustainable Gippsland holiday to both enjoy and help conserve the stunning pristine landscape.

Take a hike

Walk your way to carbon reduction on one of Gippsland's iconic walks. Gippsland offers many walks through diverse landscapes, from leisurely afternoon strolls to overnight adventures. Stroll through ancient rainforest in Tarra Bulga National Park, explore the white sandy beaches of Cape Conrad, hike your way along the Wilderness Coast or take your pick from the many trails of Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Go camping

Get back to basics and enjoy a camping holiday in the region's pristine wilderness, or pitch a tent near friendly coastal towns. Stay in a forest park, choose a holiday site with full facilities or take the strain off at a glampsite or wilderness retreat. Let nature be your entertainment with plentiful walking tracks, rail trails and beaches.

Catch public transport

There are many Gippsland hot spots accessible via public transport. Trains run from Melbourne to Bairnsdale four times daily, with connecting coaches to the stunning lakeside and coastal villages of Metung and Paynesville. Take a bus from Melbourne to experience the dramatic Bunurong Coastal Drive and explore the idyllic seaside towns of San Remo, Kilcunda, Cape Paterson and Inverloch. Buses depart Melbourne eight times daily.

Itinerary 1

Drive to Wilsons Promontory, and enjoy a car-free few days. Pitch a tent at Tidal River or stay in a cabin, and spend a few days exploring the 30 self-guided walks or lazing on the beach. Jump on the world's first amphibious boat with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, to take an eco-friendly cruise out to dramatic monolith Skull Rock. For those a bit more daring, the Great Prom Walk is a three day walk following a coastal track to the lighthouse.

Itinerary 2

Ditch the car and jump on the ferry from Paynesville out to Raymond Island, across the Gippsland Lakes. The island is a conservation haven for koalas, which were translocated here in the 1950s. The population took off and now the sleepy mammals can be found across the island, dozing in the branches of tall-reaching trees. Take a walk around the Koala Trail, before settling down for a scenic picnic lunch. Be sure to take your rubbish with you, once you're done.

Itinerary 3

Check your bike on the train to Bairnsdale and spend a few days cycling the 100km East Gippsland Rail Trail to Orbost, in the heart of Snowy River country. Extend your journey, exploring the town's surrounding national parks, forests and beaches. Fuel up at local bakeries and cafes. A Rail Trail Shuttle Bus operates every third Sunday to transport walkers, cyclists and their bikes back to their starting point.