Food, cycling tracks, wildlife to experience on your Gippsland weekend away
Give back to bushfire-ravaged Gippsland by planning a weekend getaway to a region filled with food and outdoor family-fun.
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Organise a tour of Victoria’s pinot coast yourself or join a private group. Gippsland Wine Tasting Tour (departs Melbourne) and visits D’Angelo Wines, Cannibal Creek Winery, Brandy Creek Estate. Make sure you add Loch Brewery and Distillery to your itinerary.
There’s great coffee and cake at Olive at Loch in Loch and fresh produce to fill the Esky at Udder and Hoe. Seafood lovers will enjoy lunch at Sardine (a Delicious 100 restaurant), or brunch at Northern Ground in Bairnsdale.
Mingling Waters Caravan Park and Cafe
Feel a world away from city life by camping at Nowa Nowa, 15 minutes from Lakes Entrance. Mingling Waters Caravan Park and Cafe is known for it’s burgers, especially The Lot ($17, pictured) — made with meat from local butcher Morrisson’s Meat Shop in Lakes Entrance.
The cafe sources produce from other local suppliers including Forge Creek Free Range eggs, Bairnsdale Speciality Foods and Bairnsdale Supply. The caravan park is run by Kristen Huggins and partner Sam Pickersgill (and their seven-year-old-daughter Inca).
WHALE WATCHING
Whale watching season is over, but if you’re booking a trip for next year, May to October is the best time to spot Humpback or Souther Right whales. It’s the best time to see whales pass the Bass Coast on their annual migrations.
There’s no need to travel to New South Wales to spot a humpback whale.
Wildlife Coast Cruises explore Wilsons Promontory National Park by water, with tours departing Welshpool in Southern Gippsland.
More than 90 whale sightings have been recorded from the Wildlife Coast Cruises — whether it be breaching or close-up mugging with mothers and their calves.
FISHING
People of all ages will enjoy casting a line from Port Welshpool’s revamped jetty. Rehabilitation works completed in 2018 saw the installation of built-in seating, water supply, handrails, lighting and fishing stations.
Port Albert
Fishing in this seaside town is designed for novice to experienced anglers. Boaties looking for a challenge can head through the entrance for some seasonal catches. In shore waterways are best for a relaxed fishing experience. About 30 minutes down the road is 90 Mile Beach, best known for its surf fishing.
CYCLING
Ride through farmland, historic bridges and forests on the 72km trail between Leongatha and Port Welshpool. There’s also seven shorter segments of the trail to try.
If you’re up for a challenge, try the 96km trek between Bairnsdale to Orbost — or divide the distance in shorter sections, which range from 8km to 38km.
Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park
If you’re into mountain biking, then check out this Heyfield park set on 50 hectares of land.
There’s 36km of trails, varying in levels of difficulty, with jumps, bridges, rocky outcrops and flowing bush trails.
Ride along two sets of trails carved out of either side of the highway at Erica. There’s about 30km of rough dirt trails. The park is suitable for most ages, although some experience is recommended.
This dedicated mountain bike park is built on a hill and sculpted with 35km of trails, including 20km of mountain bike trails and 15km of dual purpose walking and cycling paths.
Take a self-guided cycling holiday along the Bass Coast and Gippsland.
Australian Cycling Holidays let you cycle at your own pace, with accommodation, luggage transfers and roadside assist included.
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