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Best places to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season in Gippsland 2023/24Discover gift vouchers for Gippsland's top dining and entertainment spots. This holiday season, share meaningful gifts and support the struggling tourism industry. By news@gippsland - 3rd November 2023 - Back to News Find gift vouchers below for some of Gippsland's best places to eat, drink or be merry. Instead of placing a physical item under the tree this year, give the gift of memories and quality time with loved ones. 
Lakes Entrance Helicopters, the top helicopter service in East Gippsland, offers Scenic Flights, Charters, and specialised event services from Lakes Entrance Airfield DiningTinamba Hotel, TinambaThis quintessential destination restaurant boasts an inventive menu (including recipes such as charred 14 hour braised wagyu ox cheek and twice baked Maffra cheese souffle) and a refreshing take on pub fare in an homage to the exceptional locally grown produce. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Hogget Kitchen, WarragulHead to Hogget for meat, whichever way you like it: charcuterie, smoked, dry aged, pickled or roasted. It is all done onsite with exquisite skill to produce succulent and flavoursome dishes. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Sodafish, Lakes EntranceThe floating restaurant in the heart of Lakes Entrance has made waves in foodie circles, having already been awarded a chef's hat. Sodafish reinvents the humble fish and chips offering, dialling it up a notch with fresh seafood sourced from neighbouring fishing boats. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Messmates Dining, WarragulEx Vue De Monde chefs and brother sister duo Jodie Odrowaz and Michael Clark are bringing a European approach to dining in Warragul. This new kid on the block has a stylish menu full of local ingredients - think fresh rock oysters, snapper curd and asparagus with preserved lemon. GET A GIFT VOUCHER 
Discover Trulli Pantry's local and imported treats. Enjoy Bassine's cow-inspired cheeses. Savour artful seafood at SARDINE. Indulge in wine and tapas at Brandy Creek Estate Trulli Pantry, MeeniyanBrowse the delectable range of local and imported cheese, wine and beer, alongside delicious cured meats, Italian pastries and local groceries. Gift a beautifully curated hamper, or give a voucher so your loved one can choose their own goodies. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Bassine Specialty Cheeses, Glen ForbesDelight in cheesy goodness from a happy herd of 180 cows. You can select from their delectable range of soft cheeses, including brie, camembert, washed rind, halloumi and marinated feta at the farm gate. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Carrajung Estate, Willung SouthRun by a small but mighty team, this luxurious but unpretentious restaurant's menu features seasonal ingredients and indulgent meals. Think twice-baked duck leg, king mushroom marrow and brown butter carrot cake. GET A GIFT VOUCHER SARDINE eatery and bar, PaynesvilleGranted a chef's hat three years running, seafood is turned into a work of art at this Paynesville restaurant. Under the direction of former Vue de Monde head chef, Mark Briggs, the very best local seafood - including the humble sardine - is put into the spotlight. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Brandy Creek Estate, Drouin EastJust a stone's throw from the town centre, Brandy Creek Estate has stunning views over the vineyard, best enjoyed with wine from the estate and a selection of tapas. They hold regular paella feasts and Brazilian-style barbecues. GET A GIFT VOUCHER 
Visit Sailors Grave Brewing artistic canned brews in Orbost. Enjoy an outdoor cellar door at the old butter factory. Cannibal Creek crafts elegant French-style wines in Tynong North DrinkSailors Grave Brewing, OrbostSailors Grave Brewing is known for their inventive brews in cans so special they could nearly be sold for artwork alone. The cellar door is located in the old butter factory, open on weekends over summer in an on-trend umbrella-clad outdoor area. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Carrajung Estate, Willung SouthThis vineyard gets top billing for its panoramas across vine covered hills, best enjoyed as you sip one of their delightful fruit-forward wines. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Cannibal Creek, Tynong NorthCannibal Creek produces elegant and refined French style wines by hand using traditional methods, from grapes grown on their vineyard in West Gippsland. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Gurneys CiderFamily-run Gurneys produce delightfully fresh cider using their orchard of heritage apple trees. Add to the cellar door experience by booking an underground tasting, and stay an afternoon while enjoying the finest selection of Gippsland cheese. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Lakes Entrance Helicopters, Lakes EntranceLakes Entrance Helicopters combines the thrill of a scenic helicopter flight with some of the area's flagship dining experiences. You'll momentarily forget your empty stomach as you hover over impossibly blue waters of the Gippsland Lakes and Ninety Mile Beach, a clutch of islands and the world's longest silt jetties. BOOK A FLIGHT Be merryWildlife Coast Cruises, departs Port WelshpoolThe Wilsons Promontory Day Cruise offers nine hours of fully catered luxury cruises. Discover inaccessible parts of The Prom including untouched islands, remote beaches, seal colonies and the astounding Skull Rock. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Metung Hot Springs, MetungUnwind at Gippsland's newest wellness destination in Metung, at the sister of the Peninsula Hot Springs, for bathing, spa, massage, grazing and golf options. GET A GIFT VOUCHER 
Explore Wilsons Promontory with Wildlife Coast Cruises. Embark on a wild journey with Pennicott in the Prom. Soar over Lakes Entrance and indulge at Peppermint Ridge Farm. Enjoy outdoor adventures with Venture Out Venture Out, Lakes EntranceBook experiences for kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, mountain biking or even a full day riding and dining around the stunning Gippsland Lakes region. BOOK AN EXPERIENCE Brandy Creek Estate, Drouin EastUnwind after the silly season at the Brandy Creek Day Spa, where you can steam in the Hammam, relax with a deep massage or treat yourself to a facial. GET A GIFT VOUCHER String and Salt, WarragulFor the foodies, String and Salt offers hands-on cooking workshops, featuring fresh local produce and expert teachers. Classes can be booked as a gift - just check the box on checkout. BOOK A CLASS Culinaire Cooking School, Swan Reach (near Metung)Become the chef you were always meant to be at Culinaire Cooking, using ingredients fresh from the kitchen garden in an intimate classroom setting. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Wattle Bank Farm, Wattle Bank (near Inverloch)For the burgeoning horse whisperers and gourmets, Wattle Bank is a sustainable heaven. Give the gift of a horse riding experience or take a tour of the organic garden - featuring some succulent oyster mushrooms. GET A GIFT VOUCHER H20 Adventures Tour, PaynesvilleGift a fully guided cruise around the Paynesville canals, Raymond Island, Ninety Mile Beach and the Gippsland Lakes. BOOK A CRUISE Lakes Entrance Aqua Park, Lakes EntranceFor the kids (and the young at heart). The Aqua Park is the perfect summer activity for the whole family. Slide down inflatable slides and crawl through tunnels before having a splash in the water. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Combat Flights Gippsland, departing West SaleFor the adrenaline-seekers and Top Gun fans, strap in for a thrilling aerial battle. This high G-force dogfighting is not for the faint of heart. BOOK A FLIGHT Commando Skydivers, Latrobe ValleyTick an item off your bucket list and see the stunning landscape of the Latrobe Valley as you've never seen it before as you freefall towards the earth. GET A GIFT VOUCHER Honeysuckles Astronomy Tours, The HoneysucklesDiscover a spectacular universe through a large aperture observatory-grade telescope from a pristine dark sky site. The perfect gift for any stargazer, gift cards are provided upon request. BOOK A TOUR Pictures from Bassine Specialty Cheeses Facebook page, Gippsland Beer Facebook page, Lakes Entrance Helicopters Facebook page and Lakes Entrance Helicopters Instagram page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

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