Walking Tracks
Enjoy a leisurely stroll and picnic among the sounds of gulls and the water lapping at the forshore. Make new discoveries around every corner and find inspiration for your next Gippsland adventure.
Boating Hire
Hire boats provide a great entry to the boating lifestyle, so get out on the water and explore the incredible gippsland lakes. Whether in a boat, kayak or stand up paddle board, it’s just awesome being on the water.
Fishing
If you haven’t experienced the peace and tranquillity of fishing the rivers of the Gippsland high country, you’re in for a treat. The rivers of Gippsland meander from small mountain streams to wide, flowing rivers as they approach the ocean. With unique access to the High Country from the eastern side, endless fishing opportunities are available throughout the whole area!
Golf
East Gippsland is endowed with a most equable climate, one which is the envy of all areas of Victoria. As such, our many golf courses are great to explore all year round!
Farmers Markets
The Rotary Club of Mitchell River (Bairnsdale) runs the Paynesville Farmer’s Market on the 4th Saturday of each month year round. See their facebook page for updated details.
Buchan Caves
Once you step inside the mountains and begin your descent, it is easy to imagine that you are deep inside the Misty Mountains of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. But this is not the faraway Misty Mountains. This is Victoria’s own Buchan Caves in eastern Victoria.
The Buchan Caves are located inland from Paynesville and makes for an easy day trip for holiday-makers. It is also easily accessible for visitors to the Ninety Mile Beach coastline or the Gippsland Lakes.
Raymond Island
Raymond Island draws nature lovers for some of the best koala-spotting around. Jump on the ferry from Paynesville, and hit up the Koala Trail. The clearly marked path leads you among the gumtrees, and is suitable for all ages! Don’t forget to look up: the cute creatures are probably fast asleep above you, though you may be lucky enough to spot one out and about.
Mitchell River Silt Jetties
On the drive into Bairnsdale, turn off to the Mitchell River Silt Jetties.
The area was used to grow hops around the turn of the century, and you will still be able to see the old shedding, racks and also enjoy a beautiful drive out to the end of this beautiful natural phenomenon.
The Den of Nargun
The Den of Nargun is a short drive from Paynesville,s something for everyone. Its aboriginal history is connected to the Kurnai tribe, the original inhabitants of our beautiful region. Women of this group used the area for initiations and learning ceremonies.
The Den itself is about a 20 minute walk from the carpark, set in a shaded rainforest gully, with the yellow wood tree and the Kanooka plant being seen at their most westerly extremes. The Den of Nargun is a shallow cavern that hides behind a slight drizzle of a waterfall in Dead Cock Creek.
Wineries and Food Trail
Get a taste for Gippsland’s best on a food and wine trail across the Gippsland’s west, south and east. Discover cafes, restaurants, cellar doors and breweries serving up award-winning cool-climate wines, mouth-watering farm-fresh cheeses, small batch craft beers and gins, and menus packed with the best regional produce.