Revealed: The top summer activities to do and where to explore in the Bass Coast and Gippsland regions
It’s been a cold start to 2024 — but there’s still plenty to do in the Gippsland region. See what activities are on offer and what areas you can explore before the summer season ends.
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Victoria’s summer has been quite a cold one but with some sunny days still ahead, there’s plenty to do in Gippsland.
On Boxing Day last year, the Welshpool Hotel was flooded just days before New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest trading holidays in the hospitality industry.
Welshpool Hotel publican Skye Dubignon, with the help of the surrounding community, spent hours cleaning up the venue to get it ready for the final night of the year.
Now coming into 2024 — Victorians expected an El Nino to occur, but it appears many people are still leaving their jackets on.
As there is still some of the summer season left, there is lots to do and explore, and the Gippsland area has it all.
See where you can take an adventure across Bass Coast and Gippsland and the activities you can get involved in.
A Maze N Things — Cowes
It’s no surprise the A Maze N Things attraction on Phillip Island is one of Bass Coast’s most popular hotspots for both locals and tourists.
The venue has impressive features, including the shrinking room, a mirror maze, illusions, puzzles, a large slide, an outdoor maze, mini golf, the magic manor and the 10m sky trail.
Guests can also head to the puzzle cafe for a coffee break during their visit.
The amusement park has activities and games to suit everyone’s preferences and is open everyday.
Mirboo North Italian Festa
The Mirboo North Italian festival is one of South Gippsland biggest Sunday events in the summertime, held at the Baromi Park.
Last year, there were lines of cars waiting to get into Mirboo North to attend, so if you are thinking of going this year, you better arrive early.
The festival celebrates delicious food, culture, music, dancing and entertainment.
Magician Luigi Zucchini will also be performing on the day.
The free event will commence at 10am on Sunday February 11.
Gumbuya World — Tynong
On the edge of West Gippsland, Gumbuya World has made a name for itself over the past couple of years.
The theme park first opened as “Gumbuya Park” in 1978, went through renovations and upgrades, then was renamed Gumbuya World.
People can experience native animals, amusement rides such as roller coasters, water slides, a lazy river and many more attractions at the theme park.
The park is open daily from 10am to 6pm and had its busiest February recorded in 2022.
Upcoming rides are expected to bring in the biggest crowds yet, with up to 5000 people on peak days over summer and total visitors as high as 500,000 each year.
Thrill seekers will be in for a treat when they visit Gumbuya World, which is only a one-hour drive from Melbourne.
San Remo Channel Challenge
The San Remo Channel Challenge is part of the Bass Coast Series — which includes the Cape Paterson Aquathon, the Little Penguin Dash in Cowes and the Cowes Classic competition.
The San Remo Channel Challenge is the second competition to take place in the series, which will commence on February 10 at 12.15pm.
The challenge begins on the San Remo foreshore, south of the pier, for a 550m swim across the channel to New Haven on Phillip Island at ebb tide.
Competitors will then put their shoes on for a 2km run back over the San Remo Bridge and up the road towards Anderson, before turning back into town to finish the race in front of the San Remo Motel.
Whether you are competing or watching in the crowd, the day will be filled of energy and fun.
Farmers markets
When you’re out travelling in the summer, the farmers markets are a good place to stop.
On the first Saturday of every month, Koonwarra, Inverloch, Warragul, Sale all hold a farmers market from 8am to 1pm.
On the fourth Saturday of every month, Traralgon also holds a farmers market from 8am to 1pm.
Visitors can grab some fresh produce, bread, local honey and unique wines.
Explore the markets in the beautiful summer breeze.
Lakes Entrance Mini Golf and Trampolines & Cowes Grumpys Crazy Golf
Fancy a hit of golf while exploring Gippsland’s stunning seaside towns?
Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland is a perfect town to stop at for a coffee, smoothie, milkshake or hot donut at their local mini golf venue and Grumpys Crazy Golf in Cowes has some of the most creative mini golf courses that will caught your eye.
Lakes Entrance Mini Golf was first established in 1958 by Leonard Martin, features 18 mini golf courses and six in-ground trampolines and is open daily from 8am to 5.30pm.
Grumpys Crazy Golf is also open daily, from 10am to 5pm.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory is a popular camping spot for adventurers and newcomers to Gippsland.
Visitors can go on bushland hikes, swim at pristine beaches including Norman Beach and camp at Tidal River.
The marine park, which is one of Victoria’s largest, has spots where swimmers can go snorkelling.
People can also experience the extraordinary views of Mount Oberon, and have the option of walking to the summer from the Lilly Pilly car park.
Stargazers are also recommended to spend the night in the Wilsons Promontory to experience views they have never seen before.
Other beaches in the area people can visit is Cotters Beach to Whisky Bay and Fairy Cove.
Phillip Island Go Karts
Located at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix venue, the go karts offer an experience for drivers both young and old to race against others for their chance to get the fastest lap time and to get their score placed on the leaderboard.
Drivers aged 12 and above can speed their way on the track in a single kart, and drivers under 12 can have the tandem kart experience where they can sit back and enjoy the drive by an adult guardian sitting next to them.
The go karts are especially popular throughout the summertime, and tends to get very busy, so be sure to place a booking before you attend.
A 10 minute session per driver is $40, 20 minute sessions are $70 and 30 minute sessions are $90.
Walhalla Ghost Tours
The small, historical mountainside town once famous for gold mining in late 1862, transformed into the film set of the global blockbuster movie Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky starring actor Liam Neeson in January this year.
The entire town became an Australian hotspot, where visitors travelled to watch the production team film scenes for the Hollywood movie.
Walhalla became South Asian country Nepal for almost two weeks, and it was a site to see for fans of the movie and locals who were pleased that more visitors passed through the area.
Walhalla, a town with about 20 to 30 permanent residents, is also best known for its ghost tours led by guide Sally May.
Visitors will be given the opportunity to uncover the hidden secrets of the town on a famously heart-pounding ghost tour, operated by the Walhalla Heritage & Development League.
Prices are $30 per adult, $25 per child and $80 for a family.
Metung Hot Springs
The picturesque hot springs located in Metung, East Gippsland provide visitors with cliff tops views of Lake King.
The Metung Hot Springs also has a backstory — in the 1920s, miners drilled for oil in the area and stumbled instead across geothermal water.
From the 1970s, locals and tourists flocked to the muddy pools and enjoyed a warm dip, but were closed down due to poor maintenance in the mid-1990s.
The pools have now responded to the public, where it features bathing barrels, massaging thermal showers, a reflexology walk, a pampering day spa and safari glamping tents.
It is the ideal summer getaway for couples, families or friends looking for a different experience.
Bass Coast sale and auction results, week ending September 15
See the latest auction and sales results on the Bass Coast for last week.
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