Melbourne to Mallacoota the inland route

Melbourne to Mallacoota

Coastal drive – inland route

Take the inland route from Melbourne to Sydney, rejoining the coastal route after you’ve had your fill of crisp mountain air and local gold-rush history.

Stop in Walhalla to get a glimpse of life as it was in the gold-rush era. Wander through this tiny town that’s been preserved as it was in its 1860s gold-mining heyday. Drive on through lush farmland to Metung, gateway to the expansive Gippsland Lakes. Bust out your hiking boots or hire a boat to explore the pristine waterways.

Melbourne to Walhalla

Set out from Melbourne through picturesque farmland to historic Walhalla. Break the highway drive halfway at Warragul, where you can stretch your legs amid heritage buildings before heading to Hogget Kitchen for a meal of exceptional local produce. Ease into picturesque Walhalla. This was once one of Australia’s richest gold mining towns where more than 4000 prospectors spent their days searching for yellow dust after the discovery of Cohen’s Reef, a three-kilometre vein of gold. Now the peaceful valley town is preserved in time, with a beautifully restored centre and just a handful of residents. Learn about the history behind the town’s heritage facades on the selfguided Walhalla Historic Township walk. Try your luck panning for gold at Stringers Creek or ride the historic Walhalla Goldfields Railway through Stringers Creek Gorge, crossing old trestle bridges and viewing stunning seasonal landscapes from golden foliage in autumn to bright wildflowers in summer and spring. Venture deep into the mountain on a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine or join a ghost tour to the cemetery. Stay overnight in one of the town’s cosy cottages and B&Bs, enjoying open fires and magical valley views.

Walhalla to Bairnsdale

Rouse yourself from the place that time has forgotten and depart from Walhalla for the next stage of your journey. Make sure you’ve thanked the locals for their hospitality.

Walhalla

Cape Conran Coastal Park

Take the highway route through Rosedale and Sale. Stretch your legs at the Sale Common Wetlands, where you can amble along the boardwalk or explore walking tracks through redgum woodlands and grasses. Alternatively, wind through farmlands and country roads, stopping for a pub meal along the way – the restored Tinamba Hotel is perfect for tasting some of Gippsland’s finest produce and local wines, as is Sale’s Criterion. Drop in for a cellar-door tasting at Glenmaggie Wines, Blue Gables Vineyard, or Vines on Avon, then press on to Bairnsdale. You’ll stay overnight in this laid-back town, gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and sprinkled with great spots to eat. But the day’s not over yet. From Bairnsdale it’s a 20-minute side-step down to Paynesville, where you can hop aboard the ferry to Raymond Island, free of charge as a foot passenger. On the island, walk the 20-minute Koala Trail and keep your eyes out for koalas, kangaroos, and echidnas. (Make sure you look up, too.) Allow at least two hours for the ferry ride, sightseeing on the island, and the return drive between Bairnsdale and Paynesville.

Bairnsdale to Mallacoota

Greet the morning early in Bairnsdale and drive half an hour to Metung, where you can set sail around Australia’s largest group of inland waterways. Take a cruise through myriad lakes and rivers and get close to native birds and kangaroos grazing by the water, or throw down your anchor a while and feed the local pelicans. Heading 20 kilometres east brings you to the popular holiday destination of Lakes Entrance, where the mighty Gippsland Lakes enter the Southern Ocean.

Here, you’ll find Australia’s largest inland network of waterways. Cross the footbridge to the popular Ninety Mile Beach, patrolled by lifesavers during the summer months, or take a walk to the entrance of the Gippsland Lakes. Enjoy a boat cruise on the lakes or hire a paddleboat or catamaran. Keen birdwatchers should visit scenic Lake Tyers nearby. From here, it’s an hour’s drive to Cape Conran Coastal Park. Visit the East Cape day visitor area and Yeerung River, where you can stroll on the beach and fossick in rockpools. Continue on towards Mallacoota, a pretty coastal town blessed with Victoria’s warmest winter temperatures and renowned for its beautiful sunsets. Spend the night within the tranquil surrounds of this stunning landscape at Gipsy Point Lakeside resort, located on the banks of the Mallacoota Inlet.

The locals at Origami Coffee, Lucy’s, and Mallacoota Hotel will be happy to see you. Count kangaroos and lorikeets or swim and snorkel at nearby beaches. Rent a bike, boat or kayak to enjoy the inlet and surrounds. Sit back, relax, and listen to the sounds of the Australian bush. •

Words and pictures supplied by Visit Victoria www.visitvictoria.com.au

Mallacoota