South Gippsland’s fresh air and wide-open spaces are perfect for big adventures of curious kids and grown-ups alike. Create family holiday memories. Explore and discover in every direction!

Unravel the Magic of the Koonwarra Biodiversity Walk. Lace up your walking shoes and bring your four-legged friend! Your adventure starts in Koonwarra. Head towards Meeniyan on the Great Southern Rail Trail. Keep a lookout for tiny mysterious fairy doors and the quirky “Dog Library” where pups can “Find a Stick” and “Leave a Stick”!

Stop at the Koonwarra Recreation Reserve playground and find the colourful bird murals and unique artworks.

Along the walk, interactive QR codes bring the landscape to life. Listen for bird calls and frog croaks, learn about local wildlife, wildflowers and bush tucker. Discover fascinating facts on the ancient Koonwarra dinosaur fossil beds.  Run through tunnels and across bridges with breathtaking views over the Tarwin Valley and the beautiful Black Spur Creek Wetlands.

Fishing Adventures for Kids. There’s something special about catching your own dinner and cooking it up at the end of a day outdoors. Introduce the kids to fishing – South Gippsland has plenty of family-friendly spots to cast a line. If you’re over 18, check if you need a Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence.

Venus Bay
For older kids, cast from the beach for a spot of surf fishing for salmon, whiting or trevally.

Tarwin Lower
Throw in a line from a jetty along the Tarwin River in calm, sheltered waters, ideal for beginners. The pathway with picnic spots and riverside views, leads to Venus Bay.

Port Welshpool Long Jetty
Try your luck from the fishing platforms along Victoria’s longest curved jetty. See the historic Broman Diving Bell, the Old Winch Shed, and discover fascinating facts about local marine life. The jetty is also a spectacular place to watch the sunrise or sunset. Hear some old fishing tales at the nearby Port Welshpool Maritime Museum, visit the playground and places to eat.

Meet Karmai – the Giant Earthworm. South Gippsland is home to the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, known locally as Karmai, which can grow up to three metres long. Now that’s WILD!!

Start your adventure in Loch at Sunnyside Park playground and skate park. The nearby railway underpass displays the story of Sir David Attenborough’s visit and the discovery of these underground giants. Can you hear squelching underfoot?

The underpass joins the Great Southern Rail Trail. Cross the suspension bridge to Loch Memorial Reserve. Take a moment to look back across the bridge at the striking silhouette of a soldier — a moving tribute to local servicemen and women. Continue along the Rail Trail towards Korumburra to the mesmerising Hilda Falls.

Wildlife Encounters

Stop in at the Visitor Information Centre in Foster and pick up a free “Kids Only” Spotto activity sheet and an Indigenous Bird Guide. Young wildlife detectives can tick off animals and birds as they explore. The challenge is on!

See how many local Indigenous Birds you can find as you discover South Gippsland. Even visit the Meeniyan Bird Hide or Toora Bird Hide.

Big on nature and easy on little legs, the Prom Wildlife Walk is 45 minutes return. Keep your eyes peeled for grazing kangaroos, darting wallabies, striding emus and shuffling wombats. You never know who’s around the next bend in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

School Holiday Activities around South Gippsland

  • Hobbyhorse Jump Day in Korumburra — where imagination meets action and every rider gets their moment to shine! Thursday 2 July, 2026
  • Various MYLI Library events and activities to keep the kids entertained at Foster, Toora, Mirboo North, Leongatha and Korumburra.  For dates and details go to the MYLI Library website
  • Catch the latest movies at Stadium 4 Cinema – Leongatha
  • Take a dip at SPLASH indoor heated pool – Leongatha

Go wild. Have fun. It’s cooler in the South. Big nature, small towns. South Gippsland is the perfect place to explore and make school holiday memories that stick.