Towns and Villages

Whether you are looking for seaside charm, lakeside beauty or High Country heritage, there are many towns and villages to visit in East Gippsland, each with its own character. For further information about our towns and villages see the list below or visit Discover East Gippsland.

Bairnsdale

Bruthen

Paynesville and Raymond Island

Bairnsdale

The gateway to the natural beauties of East Gippsland, Bairnsdale is set on the banks of the Mitchell River, 285 kilometres east of Melbourne.

A thriving provincial centre of 12,000 people and once home to steam boats and traders who arrived in the area in the 1850s, Bairnsdale is now the commercial and administrative hub of the East Gippsland Shire offering history, the arts, culture and retail. The town’s rich heritage can be found throughout the town, including the rotunda in the centre of town, the spectacular murals and architecture of St Mary’s Church and Bairnsdale Court House, which is noted for its 19^th century architecture. Close to lakes, rivers, mountains and forests, Bairnsdale is a destination for year-round enjoyment. Base yourself here to enjoy an excellent range of accommodation and dining and plan day trips, tours or longer stays.

For further information, visit a Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Bruthen

Once a rest stop for weary fortune hunters heading to East Gippsland’s gold diggings, the village of Bruthen is set at the fork in the road between the High Country, Gippsland Lakes and the hinterland. Just 24 kilometres from Bairnsdale on the Great Alpine Road, Bruthen oozes country charm and historical character. Perched above the Tambo River flats, the village is a perfect place from which to set off on the Twin Rivers Food-Farm and wine Trail. Stock up on supplies and walk or cycle out of town – many of the region’s easy bushwalks start from here and the East Gippsland Rail Trail cuts through town.

For further information, visit a Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Buchan

While the magnificent Buchan Caves are renowned throughout Australia, the surrounding limestone-rich hills and valleys form a spectacular setting for the township of Buchan. Nestled in a beautiful valley, the town lies at the centre of a sheep, cattle and timber area on the Buchan River. One of the oldest towns in Victoria, Buchan is rich in pioneering heritage and was first settled by Europeans around 1840 after East Gippsland explorer J.R. Wilkinson began the Buchan Station and Edward Bayliss started the Gelentipy Station. The vast wilderness areas that surround Buchan are preserved and protected as the Alpine and Snowy River National Parks. Snow covered high country during winter, followed by a profusion of wildflowers in spring, tall mountain forests, open woodlands, rainforest, sheer gorges, waterfalls and limestone caves comprise this ruggedly beautiful region.

For further information visit the Buchan Community website.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Cann River

Located between the Lind National Park and the Alfred National Park on the Princes Highway, Cann River is a good place from which to explore Croajingolong National Park, Point Hicks lighthouse and the ancient rainforests of Victoria’s far east. Cann River is a convenient place to stop and gather supplies and is a turning point for many journeys. Head out of town along the Monaro Highway towards the Australian capital, Canberra, or continue along the Princes Highway, the coastal route between Sydney and Melbourne.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Lakes Entrance

One of Victoria’s premier holiday destinations, Lakes Entrance is beloved for its swimming beaches, waterfront cafes and fleet of colourful fishing boats, many of which sell the day’s catch from the jetties.
Located 319 kilometres from Melbourne on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meet the ocean, Lakes Entrance offers myriad water-based activities. Close by, Lake Tyers Beach offers real tranquility and a perfect holiday option. Join a guided boat tour of the Gippsland Lakes, admire the coastal scenery from Kalimna Lookout, stroll across the footbridge from the foreshore promenade to see the vast expanse of Ninety Mile Beach or pick up paper-wrapped fresh fish and chips from a local seafood shop. Alternatively, cast a line off the beach or hire a paddleboat, cruiser or a catamaran and catch your own.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Mallacoota

A quiet village nestled in the midst of the magnificent Croajingolong National Park, Mallacoota is a perfect place to relax or to stay if you wish to explore the pristine coastal wilderness of East Gippsland. Offering Victoria’s warmest winter temperatures and cooling summer breezes, Mallacoota is a year-round destination to enjoy walking, fishing, boating, canoeing, cruising, golfing and surfing, or to explore the bush in your four-wheel drive. Home to 300 species of bird, Mallacoota is a popular place for bird-watching and a great place to see Victoria’s fauna in its native habitat. The extraordinary diversity of landscapes and ecosystems of Croajingolong National Park – pure white sandy beaches, rambling heathlands, rocky coastal headlands, granite peaks, lush rainforests and towering eucalypts – have been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which nominated the park as a World Biosphere Reserve.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Marlo

The peaceful town of Marlo is set on the East Gippsland coast, where the mouth of the Snowy River meets the sea. Also the start of the Cape Conran coastal touring route and the gateway to Victoria’s “wilderness coast”, Marlo comes alive as fishing boats are launched into the fast-flowing Snowy. Its estuary boasts some of the best perch and bream fishing in the state with the sheltered waters allowing fishing all year around. The coast road leading from Marlo hugs the ocean. Explore the rugged beaches, boardwalks and campgrounds that you can find dotted along this road. Some parts of this region are Marine Coastal Parks so check with Parks Victoria for these boundaries before you put bait on hook.

Further information is available at the Marlo Community website.

Metung

Located on a thin peninsula on the shores of Lake King and Bancroft Bay, the tranquil village of Metung has long been a favourite for holiday-makers. While the main activities involve boating and fishing, Metung is also known for its scenic walks, good local food and galleries. Feed the pelicans daily at noon at the Metung Hotel, embark on a cruise aboard one of the many boats that travel between Metung and Lakes Entrance, learn how to sail or hire a boat and explore the lakes and waterways yourself. Yachts and cruisers are available for hire for overnight stays, allowing visitors to tie up in some of the protected creeks and jetties that abound in the Gippsland Lakes system.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Omeo

High in Victoria’s alpine country, Omeo is 120 kilometres north of Bairnsdale and a lifetime away from the coast and lakes found elsewhere in East Gippsland. Travel along the Great Alpine Road through the wild and beautiful Tambo River Valley into the Victorian Alps. As well as its high country plains, fresh air and bush landscape, Omeo offers landmarks that reflect its gold-mining heritage, including the Oriental Claims, Log Gaol and historic court house. Further east, Benambra was once Victoria’s first cattle station and is now a village offering access to the Three Brothers mountain peaks and Lake Omeo, which is renowned for its fly-fishing.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Orbost

Set on the banks of the mighty Snowy River, Orbost is the perfect place from which to explore the Snowy River country. Settled in 1842, Orbost has a rich history of riverboats and steamers, farmers, gold and timber mills, many of which are still part of everyday life. While the town’s fertile river flats sustain agriculture, dairy and beef farming, Orbost is also surrounded by coastal rainforests and hinterlands. Visit Cape Conran Coastal Reserve to see a stunning expanse of rocky headlands, sheltered bays and golden beaches, hire a bicycle and pedal along the East Gippsland Rail Trail or tour the high plateaus and ancient old-growth mountain forests, some of which have supplied the region’s hardwood timber industry.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

Paynesville and Raymond Island

Take a lake break in picturesque Paynesville, which offers direct access to Lake King and Lake Victoria in the heart of the Gippsland Lakes. Just 17 kilometres from Bairnsdale, Paynesville is known as the boating capital of Victoria and offers all manner of nautical pleasure for boating enthusiasts and those just looking for a getaway by the water. Join a cruise or tour, bring your own boat or hire one to explore the lakes and canals. Whether you wish to waterski or jet ski, sail, windsurf or kite board Paynesville has it all. Take your car on the short ferry trip to Raymond Island to see koalas in their native habitat or drive to nearby Eagle Point and the world-renowned Mitchell River silt jetties. Canals wind their way through the town and you can stay in accommodation with a private jetty at your door. Yachts and cruisers are available for hire for overnight stays.

For further information, visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre

For free advice on accommodation and tour bookings, telephone 1800 637 060 or Visit Discover East Gippsland

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