Exploring Gippsland from Golden Beach
If you have been dying for the chance to explore all the Gippsland region has to offer, you could not find a better place to base yourself from than Whale Cottages in Golden Beach.
Whether it is your first time or you have been many times before the region has a number of gems that we would like to share with you.
Get ready to expand your horizons with these handy day trip ideas.
A trip down history lane
Approximately 1.5 hour drive north-west of Golden Beach is the historic town of Walhalla. Once a thriving gold mining town, Walhalla now offers several fully restored buildings, tours and several pet-friendly cafes and restaurants to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea. Well worth a visit.
On the way to Sale is the Latrobe Swing Bridge. A wonderful piece of engineering history, you are able to see it operating on Saturdays at 3.00pm, Sundays at 4.00pm and every second Wednesday at 11.00am. One way to view the swing bridge in operation is aboard the 'Rubeena' on a two hour port of sale heritage cruise.
Just up the road is the Sale Common Wetlands with a boardwalk which meanders throughout the wetlands giving the opportunity to walk or cycle and watch the beautiful birds and other wildlife which inhabit the area. Very peaceful.
A restaurant and café crawl
A lovely round trip is to travel to Stratford on the Avon River and stop in at their lovely cafes, then onto Briagalong for a fabulous pub lunch, returning via Maffra for the opportunity to stop at the Avon Ridge Winery. YES! A great place to pick up some of their award-winning wines and ciders to enjoy back at Golden Beach.
Dargo is another town worthy of a visit. Famous for its quirky pub and walnut trees, don’t forget to stop off at the Den of Nargun on the way. The beautiful short (albeit steep) walk is amply rewarding.
Something close
Just 7km up the road, on the way to Seaspray, lies the wreck of the Trinculo. This ship came to grief on 30 May 1879. Thankfully no lives were lost. How much you can see of the wreck greatly depends on the tides and sand movements, so check tide levels before you go. Continue onto Seaspray and enjoy a bevy and lunch or dinner at the Seaspray Surf Club with their spectacular views of the ocean.
Lakes Entrance
Loads of things to do and activities for the whole family so we suggest you take the whole day to explore Lakes Entrance from Golden Beach. Lakes Entrance is home to the biggest and most beautiful expanse of inland waterways in the southern hemisphere, the Gippsland Lakes, and also boasts the country’s biggest fishing. A busy town, one of our favourites is ‘The Entrance Walk’.
Fancy a bike ride?
Bring bikes! You could cycle to Seapray – the going is very flat, or you could ride the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail which runs from Stratford to Traralgon. 63kms in total, you can ride it all or part of it. Lots of delightful rest spots on the way.
Kids stuff
A visit to the Sale Botanic Gardens is a must. Include a walk around Lake Guthridge and, if they are still energetic, continue the walk around Lake Guyatt. There is a wonderful playground near the Lakes with beautiful peacocks wandering around.
A Gippsland must do
A trip to Gippsland is perhaps not complete without a day trip to Buchan Caves. Just near the township of Buchan, lies a honeycomb of caves full of spectacular limestone formations that were formed by underground rivers cutting through limestone rock. It is about a 2hr trip from Golden Beach, but well worth the trip.
Vehicle enthusiasts
If your into cars you will enjoy a trip to The Maffra Shed, the Gippsland Vehicle Collection which is an outstanding display of interesting vehicles and the Holden Museum in Trafalgar, will knock the socks off all those passionate about Holdens.
So, if you have been wanting to explore and experience the Gippsland region there is no better place to base yourself from than the relaxing and homely feel of the Whale cottages nestled across the road from the golden sands of 90mile beach. We would love to have you stay with us and please do share your favourite things to do in the area.
