Gippsland Getaway

Be inspired by the space and solitude in Gippsland, the vast eastern corner of Victoria. Travel through natural landscapes of unparalleled beauty and be rewarded with unspoilt beaches, pristine lakes and mountains and rolling hills of farmland. Get active on tracks and trails that wind through the lush scenery, or try something new out on the water. Visit bustling gourmet waterfront villages, quaint seaside towns and alpine villages and uncover a fascinating rich history, creative pockets and old-fashioned country hospitality.

Try this lush winding three-day wander through Gippsland's forest and pastureland.

Dip your toe into Gippsland's enticing village life and get a taste of the region's eclectic arts and burgeoning food and wine scene.

Make Cannibal Creek Vineyard your first stop out of Melbourne and get the lowdown on the all-important combination of Gippsland's famed cheese and the estate's pinot noir.

With the basics covered, you're ready to power onwards to Walhalla, an historic township in the heart of Gippsland. Once one of Australia's richest towns and home to over 4000 gold seekers, this sleepy mountainside town is now frozen in time and is home to only 20 residents. Its lovingly restored heritage buildings and wild alpine backdrop are these days an Instagrammers delight.

Stay overnight at Walhalla's Star Hotel for stylish country accommodation in a reconstructed gold-era building.

From the days of old to the very contemporary present, make your way to the Latrobe Regional Gallery (LRG) in Morwell, one of the largest public galleries in eastern Victoria. Housing seven gallery spaces and a sculpture courtyard, the gallery presents contemporary works by regional artists as well as national touring exhibitions.

Continue the drive into the heart of the Gippsland Plains and immerse yourself in lush dairy country. Pause at Glengarry and its main street lined with telltale signs of time gone by. Allow for a cheeky treat from the tantalising bakery, and perhaps tackle a short section of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, the 67-kilometre recreational trail that follows the former Gippsland Plains railway line.

Travel on to tiny Cowwarr, which is home to the intriguing Cowwarr Art Space in a former butter factory. Catch an exhibition, performance or workshop and mull it over during a meal at the iconic Tinamba Hotel, a country pub with a very city vibe.

Appreciate the contrast of these tiny villages and bustling Sale, one of Gippsland's largest regional centres. The gateway to the vast Gippsland Lakes, Sale has a renowned art gallery, a thriving cafe scene and parks for invigorating walks. Stay overnight at the Criterion Hotel, lovingly referred to by locals as The Cri. Tuck into a pub dinner and outstanding Gippsland wines before calling it a night.

Start the day with a big breakfast in a Sale cafe before heading to Tarra Bulga National Park to stretch your legs. Stunning Tarra Bulga is one of only four major areas of cool temperate rainforest in the state. Keep an eye out for the elusive lyrebird as you stroll through the lush gullies and beautiful tree ferns.

From Tarra Bulga it's time to start your journey back to Melbourne, with stops in Yarragon and Neerim South your last Gippsland hurrahs.

Get a kick out of fossicking through the village curiosities in Yarragon, at the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges. Stop in at the Town and Country Gallery and discover paintings, ceramics and textiles by local Victorian artists.

And finally, spend your last moments in Gippsland with a glass of regional pinot at Vivere Retreat at Neerim South, the home of the fascinating Neerim Bower roadside sculpture.