Locals and visitors can now access the Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in its new home at East Gippsland Shire Council’s Corporate Centre, 273 Main Street, following a move designed to deliver more efficient and sustainable services.  

Open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, the centre is your go-to spot for local tips, travel ideas and hidden gems across East Gippsland. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, looking for family activities, or need advice on where to eat, stay and explore, Council is here to help.

The move to the Corporate Centre is a cost-saving measure that allows Council to reinvest in a more flexible and responsive visitor service model, combining in-person support with outreach and digital services.

As part of this approach, the Bairnsdale VIC has transitioned to a weekday service model. Visitor support remains strong across the region, with other information centres in Bruthen, Mallacoota, Omeo, Orbost and Paynesville, as well as Lakes Entrance, which remains open seven days a week as the region’s flagship accredited centre.

While the new space was under construction, the mobile visitor information van was out in the community on weekends to ensure services continued.

Introduced to target key locations during peak visitor periods, the mobile service has delivered strong results, with more than 2,100 visitor interactions between December and April – up from 1,708 weekend visitors at the former Bairnsdale centre during the same period last year.

This approach has expanded Council’s reach across East Gippsland, supporting visitors in key locations and at major events and markets, demonstrating the value of meeting visitors where they are.

The new centre continues to showcase a range of local produce, gifts and handmade treasures –perfect for locals and visitors looking for something special to take home.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jodie Ashworth, said the new model provides a more modern and flexible way to connect visitors with the region.

“We’re already seeing more locals visit our new centre, which is a great result,” Cr Ashworth said.  

“Importantly, this model allows us to support visitors right across East Gippsland, not just from a single location, while continuing to provide a strong local presence in Bairnsdale.

“This is an exciting opportunity to modernise how we deliver visitor services while keeping a strong local presence.”

Council has also developed a new Visit East Gippsland tourism website, designed to provide up-to-date, easy-to-access information to support trip planning.  

“The way people plan and access travel information is changing, with more and more people turning to digital platforms to research and plan their trips,” Cr Ashworth said.

“This approach ensures we stay connected across both digital and in-person channels, while continuing to offer a warm East Gippsland welcome.”

The new location provides a welcoming hub where visitors can connect with the very best experiences East Gippsland has to offer.

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