When summer arrives in South Gippsland it’s time to head outdoors.
Some people head straight to the beach; throwing down a towel to enjoying a lazy beach day filled with sun and surf at coastal hamlets such as Venus Bay, Walkerville, Waratah Bay or Sandy Point. Others grab a rod or reel and try their hand at fishing. Yanakie, Port Franklin and Port Welshpool are all popular fishing destinations, and so too is Tarwin Lower where you can set yourself up on the side of the river and while away an afternoon as you wait for a bite.
If the weather takes a rainy turn, please don’t despair. A shower or two provides a great opportunity to explore our region’s many galleries. Here in South Gippsland we are fortunate to host many renowned artists who were unable to resist the lure of our majestic landscape. You can find art galleries in most of our local townships.
Want to get active and work off the Christmas overindulgence? We have so many nature walks to choose from. Pick a town and you can normally find a walk close by. In the northern part of South Gippsland you can explore Wuchatsch Reserve, located 5km from Nyora; Pioneer Reserve in Kongwak or the Lyrebird Forest Walk, located just out of Mirboo North (keep an eye out for the walk’s elusive namesake). Further south, you can discover the Foster Flora Reserve, Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve (near Toora) or the Point Smythe Nature Trail near Venus Bay. And of course, no mention of walking trails would be complete without referencing two of South Gippsland’s best-known walking/cycling trails: the Grand Ridge and Great Southern rail trails.
The Grand Ridge Rail Trail extends 13km through dense and lush forest vegetation, capturing the beauty of the Strzelecki Ranges. It begins (or ends) at Mirboo North. The Great Southern Rail Trail is the big brother to the Grand Ridge. Running 130km the trail commences in Leongatha and continues through to Yarram, with many villages to stop and explore along the way. The rail trails are well maintained with a compacted gravel surface and feature a variety of landscapes and trail gradations.
