There’s a spot east of the city where days are spent unhurried by the seaside, where kitchens thrive on quality local produce and wine producers are making some of the state’s best. In partnership with Destination Gippsland, here’s our guide on where to eat, drink and stay in East Gippsland.
From the pastoral plains of dairy country and mountains, to long stretches of undisturbed coastline and lake systems, East Gippsland is home to a bounty of idyllic terrain. Having survived the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, the region welcomes the return of intrepid hikers and casual day-trekkers alike.
Red-gum forest, tea-tree scrub, fern-laden rainforest and coastal heathland are still flourishing in this easternmost corner of the state, and support a lot of native wildlife. A web of caves resides underground, and lakes offer fishing, diving, swimming and kayaking year round. With much of the region pure national park – the Snowy River, Errinundra and Croajingolong – there are hundreds of short, day and week-long trails to discover.
This lush environment attracted winegrowers and vegetable farmers lured by the prime conditions, mild climate and reliable rainfall. Chefs, brewers and baristas followed. Then there’s the seafood – fresh off the boat.
East Gippsland’s jumping-off point is 3.5 hours along the M1, before the A1 curves all the way to the New South Wales border. Here’s our guide to what to eat, drink, do and where to stay in the region.
Welcome to East Gippsland
EAT
East Gippsland is a veritable food bowl and has inspired top Melbourne chefs to break from the city’s shackles and set up shop at the source of quality ingredients.
DRINK
It might be the quiet achiever of Victoria’s wine regions, but there are plenty of liquids being poured here among the cellar doors, breweries, restaurants and pubs.
DO
This expansive region is a nature-chaser’s paradise, lush with native flora and fauna and undisturbed land, sea and riverscapes.
STAY
Heritage sleeping quarters and sweeping vistas abound in this undulating pocket of Victoria.
Itinerary
A Road Trip Through East Gippsland
It’s easy to forget yourself when surrounded by nature so lush, but in East Gippsland there’s also a significant amount of impeccable food and wine to consume. Sleep in, pace yourself, and stroll the scenery in-between.