Gippsland - Great Natural Variety

Gippsland has an area of about 45,000 km² and lies in the Australian state of Victoria, which extends from Melbourne's suburbs to the border of New South Wales. The region is surrounded by the Great Dividing Range in the north and south as well as by the Bass Strait. It is divided into East Gippsland, South Gippsland, West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley. Bigger cities are Sale, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Morwell and Maffra. The temperate climate in the region creates mild summers and cool winters.

Gippsland is a fertile lake district which impresses with scenic mountains, wonderful beaches, vast sand dunes, several wetland areas, beautiful lagoons and impressive freshwater lakes. The latter constitute the region's centre together with the Lakes National Park and the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. The Gippsland Lakes (e.g. Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria) are the largest inland water system in Australia, which are separated from the open sea by the Ninety Mile Beach (145 km), the country's longest beach section. Gippsland's branched lake scenery is home to numerous sea birds, kangaroos, emus, possums, bats, black swans and wallabies and over 400 plant species grow in the humid area. Besides the Gippsland Lakes, the Wilsons Promontory in the Wilsons Promontory National Park and the Croajingolong National Park are real natural attractions. Rainforests, eucalyptus trees, a vast dune landscape and tree ferns, granite rocks and impressive gorges are part of the nature reserves, which constitute a biosphere reserve.

Gippsland was originally the settlement area of the Gunai and Bunurong aborigines. In 1840, the first European settlers came to the region, which named themselves after Sir George Gipps, the former governor of New South Wales. One of the region's cultural highlights is without doubt the former gold mining village and present-day open-air museum of Walhalla. The gold rush in Victoria in the 19th century caused many gold seekers to try their luck in the deep local gold mines. Today, the town is only inhabited by 10 people. It accommodates historical buildings and mines, smaller museums, charming shops, an idyllic hotel, a pub and a cafe. Besides a circular path, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway takes you through the small town, parts of which are protected.

A trip to Gippsland will not only delight lovers of nature but also connoisseurs. Cheese factories, vineyards, fruit plantations, trout farms, delicatessen shops and farmers' markets offer local delicacies such as cheese, wine, fish and different types of fruit and vegetables all year. Anglers often catch their meal themselves on a camping trip. If you rather want to taste the local specialities in a restaurant, you should visit the Gourmet Deli Drive or the small town of Lakes Entrance. The holiday resort is full of tourists during peak season and offers food stalls, restaurants, cafes and several shops - simply everything holidaymakers could desire.

Gippsland is a real paradise for water sports fans and anglers. The wonderful Gippsland Lakes are the first stopping point for kayakers, canoeists, swimmers and sailors, while the long sandy beaches such as the Ninety Mile Beach invite you to go surfing, snorkelling, diving and whale watching. In addition, numerous hiking trails like the Great Walhalla Alpine Trail offer ideal conditions for long hiking tours, during which you can watch members of the region's diverse fauna. In winter, the skiing area of Mount Baw Baw gives countless winter sports fans the opportunity to pursue their hobbies.

Gippsland can be travelled all year. The best time for a holiday in the region depends on your plans. You best arrive at the international airport in Melbourne. There you can rent a car or use public transport to reach your destination.