People come to East Gippsland for many reasons, including the sunny stretches of white sandy beaches, incredibly beautiful and unique lakes and river systems and untouched wildlife in the national parks. But there are some amazing local secret spots that we love to tell our guests about, and we've compiled 9 of our favourites for you to try on your next holiday with Gippsland Lakes Escapes!
1. Bring your boat and cruise some gorgeous European-style canals
Paynesville is best known for being the heart of the Gippsland Lakes, with stunning stretches of water and beautiful mountains in the distance everywhere you look. But there's also another hidden secret that not everyone knows about - the amazing canals lined with unique waterfront villas! Reminiscent of the waterways in Amsterdam and Vienna, the Paynesville canals are a favourite spot with locals and tourists alike to canoe, kayak, row or gently boat through, enjoying the sunshine.
Best of all, you can actually stay on the canals! At Gippsland Lakes Escapes, we have a large range of beautiful canal waterfront homes to choose from - from cozy retreats to 3-story villas, with private jetties and stunning views. Visit our canal properties to find out more!
2. Take the ferry over to Raymond Island, a koala sanctuary home to over 300 sleepy marsupials
Another popular drawcard to Paynesville is the unique Raymond Island, located across from the main promenade by a short picturesque ferry trip. Once you set foot on the island, you can wander the koala trail and snap photos of all the sleepy koalas sitting in the trees above you - sometimes our guests have spotted up to 40 in one visit!
After the koala trail, visit the small sandy pebble beaches that surround the island via the foreshore boardwalks, or stroll through the untouched bush on quiet walkways. Like the canals, you can stay on Raymond Island! Gippsland Lakes Escapes has a number of gorgeous island retreats that our guests absolutely love.
3. Visit the Den of Nargun
This local indigenous sacred spot is hidden at the bottom of the mountain range, where an easy round-trip walk takes you past breathtaking lookouts, then curves down to a rushing river and eventually leads you to a dried up river bed, which you follow until you reach the remarkable Den of Nargun. With huge old moss-covered trees and the stillness at the bottom of the gorge, it feels like you have stepped into Narnia or another magical land - a must see! Ideal for families, couples or groups of friends.
4. Drive along the world's longest silt jetties
These stunning natural silt jetties are the longest in the world - and a must see when in the area! You can drive down the entire length, with some parts being a narrow road with water completely surrounding each side. A favourite sheltered spot for fishermen, the areas around the silt jetties are also home to thousands of birdlife, which you can often see in huge groups on the lake waters around the jetties.
Drive along in the evening, and you might see dozens of fish jumping out of the Mitchell River to catch the bugs and flies above the water - a remarkable sight! Best of all, you can stay right near the start of the jetties at 'Bluff View River House'.
5. Explore the farmers markets
A few Sundays a month, Paynesville is home to the farmer's and maker's markets along the foreshore and in the oval. With a wide range of delights, the creative market sellers have things on offer like plants and succulents, dainty handmade jewellery and gorgeous wood designs, clothing, artwork, local organic food, naturopath-made teas, soaps and skincare and farmer's produce.
Pick up a delicious coffee from the local coffee van, enjoy the live music and stroll through the stalls - you might just find the perfect piece of Paynesville to take home with you!
6. Ride your bike along the rail trails
The Gippsland Lakes Region is quickly becoming known as a cyclist destination. There are several stunning bike rides in the area, the most popular being the 100 km East Gippsland Rail Trail, which takes you past gentle hills, forest, farmland, rivers, lakes, vineyards and quirky country towns.
Visit Great East Rail Trail to join a three day cycle event!
7. Visit the Buchan Caves
Near the township of Buchan, lies a honeycomb of caves full of spectacular limestone formations. The caves were formed by underground rivers cutting through limestone rock, creating remarkable stalactites and stalagmites over thousands of years.
Discover the beautiful calcite-rimmed pools of Royal Cave and the elaborate formations of Fairy Cave on a guided tour! Tours are conducted daily. An ideal day trip for the whole family!
8. Take a camel ride on the 90 Mile Beach
Riding a camel along a beautiful beach sounds like something you might do on an exotic island - but you can do it right here in the Gippsland Lakes! This unforgettable 40 minute camel experience along the stunning 90 mile beach in Lakes Entrance is extremely popular. Perfect for entire families, and open for all ages.
9. Taste + see some remarkable dining experiences
East Gippsland is home to some incredible eateries, restaurants and cafes! Here are three of our favourite recent 'up and coming' places to get amazing food these holidays.
Sardines Eatery + Bar, Paynesville foreshore
"Mark Briggs is winning sardine haters over, one pan of Lakes Entrance beauties at a time. Briggs (ex-Vue de Monde) has made a Gippsland Lakes-change from the city and is championing a boatload of lesser-loved fish. On the ever-changing menu, fisherman's stew is generously strewn with the good stuff - prawns and bugs and clams and snapper - in a saffron-bright sauce of sunshine that's mop-every-drop good."
The Long Paddock, Lindenow
"Their food is not just ordinary cafe food. It is exquisite food. The food you wished was served in your local bistro every day. A meal might start with tender new season's asparagus covered with a coddled egg, a scraping of parmesan cheese and herbed breadcrumbs." - GoodFood Magazine
Northern Ground, Bairnsdale Main Street
"At Northern Ground, Turner has teamed up with the region's best farmers, food producers and winemakers to present dishes such as spring asparagus, grown on a farm 3½ kilometres from his kitchen, char-grilled, and served with umami-rich chopped confit shallot, goat's feta and gently spiced pesto made of carrot tops." - GoodFood Magazine
Do you have some favourite spots not mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below!