Need a weekend away? Lace-up and embrace mother nature with East Gippsland's must-try outdoor adventures.
East Gippsland is home to beautiful beaches, crystal clear lakes and endless wilderness areas. In winter there are snow-capped mountains that transform and become laden with native wildflowers in summer and autumn. Once the region was one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets, but with a pandemic-led discovery of regional Victoria, it has been well and truly discovered by metropolitan travellers. Outdoors pursuits can be enjoyed all over the region.
We’ve pulled together a list of some of our favourite adventure activities.
Keep up with the latest travel destinations, plus all the Victorian travel news and tips here.
Get hiking
Advanced Eco Certified, Gippsland High Country Tours has been operating for 25 years. Owner and principal guide Jenny Lawrence takes small groups of 10 guests hiking and exploring the region with all-inclusive packages offering meals, accommodation and fully guided walks. A new four-day tour of Mallacoota & Croajingolong is scheduled for 8 November providing a short escape into nature. The itinerary includes walks along unspoilt sandy beaches, coastal forests and spring wildflowers.
Take to the water
Take to the waterways and launch your kayak, canoe or SUP. With a multitude of rivers, lakes, bays and ocean, you’re spoilt for choice. Whether you’re still gaining your balance, or ready to tackle the elements, there is always the perfect stretch of water to be found. Venture Out offers rentals and packages so you can get out and explore the Lakes with one of their kayaks or SUPs. For something a little more out there, they also offer a unique Heli SUP experience, plus mountain bike hire and tour experiences including gourmet riding getaways and couples riding retreats.
On your bike
East Gippsland has some incredible cycling trails. Bring your bike, hire one in the region, or engage with Liz Mitchell from Snowy River Cycling to join one of her great cycling tours which range from leisurely rail trail tours to fully supported half day to six day adventures. The Adventure Cycle Tour is a five day, four night trip that starts and finishes in Orbost. It takes in limestone cave country around Buchan, carves through the high country, traverses the awe inspiring 1000 metre deep Snowy River Valley and travels through deep green forests.
Ride the rapids
The wild rapids of Arizona’s Colorado River and the Zambezi may be out of reach for many, but lucky for us, with Rafting Australia you can scratch your adrenaline itch right here in the stunning Alpine National Park on the Mitta River.
During spring Rafting Australia’s Linton and Tracey Smith offer one or two days of adrenalin pumping world class white-water rafting at Mitta Mitta River Gorge, where you’ll find 60 rapids classed from 2 to 4. During the 19km rapid descent you’ll plummet between intricate rock formations and tackle the foaming fury of the Mitta Gorge. In the moments of peace in between experience towering granite river gorges and exquisite wilderness of the majestic Alpine National Park. During the summer, the Lower Mitta Mitta River at Dartmouth provides the best summer rafting in Southern Australia with the longest grade 4 rapid commercially available in Victoria.
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For all of your gear hire, hit up the friendly and experienced team led by Paul and Alyson Nichol at Bruthen Outdoor Gear. With a focus on white water, they will help set you up to explore the river systems and customise your gear to support all of your adventure needs.
Looking for some cosy stays in Gippsland? Check out our favourite boutique accommodation options here.
