Planning a Gippsland Escape? Start Here

Gippsland is vaster, wilder and more varied than you realise, and a weekend here opens the door to mountains, coastlines and quiet country corners. Base yourself in Traralgon, at the heart of the region, and you can sample all of it without driving for hours. Here’s a quick guide to planning your upcoming Gippsland weekend. 

Gippsland: Wild Side of Victoria

It’s impossible to summarise Gippsland in a single photo, because it’s so wildly diverse. The region stretches from wild, wave-thrown coastline to chilly alpine peaks, past rolling dairy country, fern gullies, vast lakes, tiny towns and national parks.

The scale alone surprises most people, and especially tourists, because Gippsland takes up roughly a quarter of Victoria, meaning it’s big enough to rival countries like Belgium in size. And with that comes a level of diversity you don’t often find so close to Melbourne.

But that’s exactly what makes Gippsland perfect for a weekend escape. Base yourself in Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley and you can reach beaches, mountains, wineries, lakes and forest trails all in easy day-trip distance.

You’ll get the freedom to explore huge landscapes without needing to unpack your bag every night.

Your Gippsland Escape Begins Here

In this guide, we’ve pulled together some of the best things to do if you’re staying in Gippsland for the weekend. That includes road trips, lookouts, national parks and breathtaking spots that show just how varied this unexplored corner of Victoria is.

Book your stay in Traralgon today.

1. Tarra-Bulga National Park

A winding drive south from Traralgon pulls you steadily into cooler air and deep rainforest. Welcome to Tara-Bulga National Park.

Mountain ash rise like columns here and fern gullies crowd the track edges. This part of the Strzelecki Ranges holds some of the last remaining pockets of ancient rainforest in the region, which is why it feels so distinct from the dairy country and open plains you drive through to get here.

Follow the Corrigan Suspension Bridge track for that classic rainforest moment, or take the Fern Gully Loop for something shorter but sprinkled with wildlife. Longer options like the Lyrebird Ridge Track give you more time under the canopy, and early morning walkers often hear lyrebirds before they see anything else.

Day trippers typically use Tarra-Bulga for walking, photographing the bridge, spotting wombats and wallabies, or simply escaping summer heat in a forest that stays naturally cool.

Add a café stop at Balook on the way in or out and you’ve got a solid half-day out of Traralgon without a long drive.

2. Ninety Mile Beach

An hour’s drive from Traralgon puts you on one of the longest beaches in the entire world. Something worth seeing, regardless if you’re a beach person or not. Running between Seaspray and Lakes Entrance, there’s literally nothing but open sand and ocean for what feels like forever here.

Most people head for Golden Beach or Seaspray, two easy-access spots where you can park close to the water and wander as far as you like. Seaspray has the benefit of the local surf club and the Seaspray General Store for lunch, while Golden Beach is quieter and better for uninterrupted space.

A heads up: the surf here can be rough, so it’s not always a swimming beach, but it’s great for long shoreline walks, spotting dolphins on calmer days and watching the kind of sunsets that turn the whole horizon orange.

If you want to make a day of it, drive a little further to Loch Sport on the Gippsland Lakes. It gives you a sheltered swimming option, a couple of casual cafés and a completely different side of the water, all without adding too much extra driving.

3. Walhalla Historic Township

The little town of Walhalla hides in a steep valley north of Traralgon, and the drive alone sets the scene.

Narrowing into forested hills, the road eventually reveals a tiny gold-mining town that appears to be frozen in time. Jump straight onto the Walhalla Goldfields Railway for a short but dramatic run along cliff edges and over deep gullies, then walk up to the Long Tunnel Extended Mine for an underground tour that explains how the town once produced some of Victoria’s richest gold.

The main street is lined with restored buildings, a rebuilt band rotunda and cottages that make the place feel oddly cinematic. If you want a walk, head up to the Walhalla Cemetery for big valley views or take the Town Loop Walk for an easy circuit past key sites. Coffee and simple lunches are usually available in town.

4. Mount Baw Baw Alpine Area

Cloud forests, snow gums and cool alpine air give Baw Baw a completely different feel to the rest of Gippsland. That really hits you as soon as you climb into the high country here.

The plateau sits roughly 90 minutes from Traralgon, so a day trip is absolutely on the cards.

In the summertime, most people come for the trails, the epic views and a breath of mountain air. Short walks like the Frosti Track and Tanjil Creek Loop pretty much tick off all three of these things in one, while the Mt Baw Baw Summit Walk gives you the big panorama. Also in summer, mountain bikers get green-to-black trails weaving through snow gum country, and the cooler air makes it a welcome escape on hot Gippsland days.

Then in winter, the whole place transforms into a small, family-friendly snow resort with toboggan runs, gentle ski slopes and access to the Baw Baw Plateau for cross-country trails. You’ll find Baw Baw a little less hectic than the major Victorian resorts, which is a big plus.

If you want something quieter again, drive a little further to Mt St Gwinear, where the snow play areas and cross-country tracks attract mostly locals. Plus, summer up here feels different as well, with open country and wildflowers across the plateau.

5. Local Food & Wine in the Latrobe Valley

Good food and drink isn’t hard to find around Traralgon; you certainly don’t need a long drive to reach it.

Start with Narkoojee Winery in Glengarry, one of the region’s standout cellar doors. Their chardonnay and pinot noir are the stars, and the restaurant looks straight across the vines, making it a strong contender for a long-lunch.

If beer is more your drink, Traralgon’s own breweries add a casual, local feel to the day. Stellina is a popular stop for a low-key drink, and works well after a morning walk or a drive through the valley.

Local produce is a big part of Gippsland’s identity, so add a farm-gate stop or two. Depending on the season you’ll find berries, honey, cheese, olive oil and fresh veg sold right at the source. Fill up your car with treats slowly as you go!

For something quick and close to town, Traralgon’s cafés cover the basics well, from brunch to good coffee.

6. Gippsland Lakes

If you’re up for exploring a little further and time isn’t an issue, the Gippsland Lakes open up a whole different side of the region worth seeing. This is Australia’s largest inland waterway system, and the scale is clear once you reach spots like Lakes Entrance, Paynesville or Metung.

Lakes Entrance is the classic go-to, especially if you want a mix of cafés, seafood spots and an easy stroll out to the Entrance Walk or along Ninety Mile Beach.

Paynesville is more relaxed and gives you quick access to Raymond Island, where you can take the short ferry and wander the koala trail. Metung is the quieter one, good for a slower lunch by the water or a loop through the village before a quick paddle.

Kayak hire is easy in most towns, and the water stays sheltered enough for beginners. Otherwise, if you’d rather just explore on foot, stick to the waterfront paths, grab fish and chips and just watch boats drift in and out.

Where to stay in Gippsland

Mantra Traralgon sits right in the middle of Traralgon, so it’s easily one of the best bases for exploring Gippsland.

You can walk to cafés, restaurants and the local cinema, and you’re only a short drive from places like Tarra-Bulga, Walhalla and the wider Latrobe Valley.

Inside, the hotel has modern rooms, comfortable beds, on-site dining and even bowling!

There’s secure parking and all the contemporary and practical facilities that make travel feel straightforward, especially if you’re heading out for day trips and want somewhere reliable to come back to.

Book your stay at Mantra Traralgon.