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East Gippsland

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Overview

East Gippsland is the eastern region of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia covering 31,740 km2 (12,250 sq mi) (14%) of Victoria. It has a population of 48,715.

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia757 words

WBP editorial3

Seasonal rhythm for outdoor pursuits

The climate swings between temperate coastal breezes and cool alpine air, meaning each season uncovers a distinct set of activities. Winter brings reliable snowfall to the high country, perfect for cross‑country skiing on the Bogong High Plains, while spring floods the river valleys, turning them into prime bird‑watching corridors. Summer’s long daylight hours are ideal for kayaking the pristine stretches of the Snowy River, whereas autumn’s golden foliage paints the forest tracks, offering photographers soft light without the crowds of peak holiday periods.

Beyond the tourist map: local food circuits

While the region is famed for its dairy, a quieter gastronomic narrative runs through the small towns: farm‑to‑table cooperatives, seasonal pop‑up markets, and bush tucker workshops led by Indigenous custodians. In towns like Mallacoota, the daily catch hits the community kitchen within hours, and the resulting platters showcase native herbs such as pepperleaf and wattleseed. Travelers who linger over a simple fish pie or a foraged mushroom risotto will taste the convergence of coastal bounty and alpine produce that larger city menus often overlook.

Navigating transport in a sprawling hinterland

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East Gippsland’s sheer size makes private transport the most practical option, but the region’s dispersed bus routes provide a modest network for budget‑mindful travellers. A useful tip is to time your journeys around the weekly market days in towns such as Orbost and Bairnsdale; buses tend to run more frequently and you can hitch a ride on a farmer’s van headed to the nearest milk depot. For the more adventurous, cycling the 300‑kilometre stretch of the Cannibal Coast Trail offers an immersive way to experience the shifting landscapes, provided you plan for the occasional gravel‑filled detour.

Introduction

This article is about the region. For the local government area, see Shire of East Gippsland. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "East Gippsland" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Region of Victoria, Australia Regions ofGippsland East West South Central Latrobe Valley East Gippsland is the eastern region of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia covering 31,740 km2 (12,250 sq mi) (14%) of Victoria. It has a population of 48,715.

Geography

[edit] Bonang River The Shire of East Gippsland, also called Far East Gippsland, covers two-thirds (66%) of East Gippsland's area and holds half (50%) of its population. The Shire of East Gippsland is confusingly also referred to simply as East Gippsland. It excludes the Shire of Wellington (Central Gippsland). This article (currently) refers mainly to "Far East Gippsland". East Gippsland's major towns include, from west to east, Bairnsdale (the largest town and administrative centre), Paynesville, Lakes Entrance, Orbost and Mallacoota. Smaller, but significant, towns in the more mountainous northern areas include Ensay, Swifts Creek, Omeo, and Buchan. Catchment area[edit] See also: Category:East Gippsland catchment East Gippsland extends from the western watershed of the Mitchell and Thomson River catchments east and north to the New South Wales border. Rugged terrain makes farming difficult, even with fertilisers. The major river basins of the Mitchell, Tambo and Nicholson drain into the Gippsland Lakes, which in turn empty into the sea through an artificially maintained opening at Lakes Entrance.

Parks

[edit] Thurra River in Croajingolong National Park More than 17,000 km2 (6,600 sq mi) of East Gippsland is public land with 2,680 km2 (1,030 sq mi) in national parks, two of the largest being Snowy River National Park and Errinundra National Park. Both are remote and inaccessible, but they are otherwise entirely different. Snowy River National Park features dramatic gorges and powerful rapids formed by the descent of the Snowy River. Apart from gorges and southern slopes, this park is in a rain-shadow area forming the southern border of the Monaro Tableland. Consequently, many species more typical of inland New South Wales and Victoria are found here. Errinundra National Park is much wetter - inaccessible from June to October in most years - and features some of the most ancient forests in Australia, a matter of controversy as employment in the remote areas east of the Snowy was mainly dependent upon timber milling before the end of VicForest in 2024. Croajingolong National Park between Marlo and Mallacoota features extensive coastal heathlands and tea tree scrub, as well as the only major area of warm temperate rainforest in Victoria. The 4,193 km2 of privately owned land is mainly red gum plains, coastal plains, mountain plateaux and fertile river valleys.

Tourism

[edit] The area is a major tourist destination, especially for watersports, and is noted for its mild climate. The Great Alpine Road leads north from Bairnsdale into the Australian Alps via Swifts Creek and Omeo, and onto the major ski resorts of Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. This area is also very popular for bushwalking in the summer. The Buchan district is popular with tourists for its limestone caves. Further east, the Snowy River and several smaller stream catchments, including the Thurra, Wingan, Genoa, Bemm River and Cann River, enter the Tasman Sea.

Forestry

[edit] Old growth forest in Brown Mountain, near Errinundra National Park. Logging in 2008 cleared this area. The major industry is often considered to be forestry, which provides less than 1 percent of employment for the region. The East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) was signed by Commonwealth and Victorian governments on 3 February 1997, and is Australia's first RFA. It covers a region similar, but not identical to the East Gippsland Shire. It sets aside 5,811 km2 (2,244 sq mi) from logging, an increase of 1.3% over pre-RFA reserves. Central Gippsland is covered by the Gippsland RFA (signed 31 March 2000), which covers an area similar to the Shire of Wellington, and places 7,805 km2 (3,014 sq mi) in reserves. Logging of native forests has caused sustained controversy in East Gippsland, particularly due to the unique species found in areas east of the Snowy River, and the contentious public debate surrounding native forest, particularly old-growth, harvesting. This is despite managed forest having a mitigation effect in climate change.