Gippsland › Latest news › Visit Gippsland

Four amazing road trips across Gippsland to create your own long weekend this winter and spring of 2022

Take your not-so public holiday and let the long weekends roll on! Scroll on for tips on where to go.

By news@gippsland - 25th July 2022 - Back to News

We all love extending a weekend away when there's a public holiday. Fun fact: we're currently in the longest gap between public holidays in Victoria across the entire year. So what do you do as you enter the PHD (Public Holiday Drought)? You make your own long weekend! Take a day of annual leave and stay that extra night - more downtime, more me-time, more relaxation... a step ahead of the crowds.

Take a day of annual leave and stay that extra night, more downtime, more me-time, more relaxation, a step ahead of the crowds

Gippsland's best road trips

Take the road trip, a journey that winds you through the handsome landscapes of West Gippsland. Discover historic villages, throw yourself into outdoor adventure and be dropped conveniently close to a thriving foodie and winery scene.

Penguins to Prom Drive

This is a short and sweet, yet totally stunning journey between two of Victoria's most defining attractions. From the huggable little penguins at Phillip Island's Penguin Parade, the Penguins to Prom Drive hugs the contours of the Bass Coast and winds through hilly South Gippsland countryside to the breathtaking splendour of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Along the journey, embrace sweeping ocean views and discover soulful country towns.

In under 2 hours you can be at this dreamy island, just 142km from Melbourne. Make your way out of the big smoke on the M1, and connect with the M420. This lovely patch of the world offers a couple of wineries nestled in The Gurdies, Howler Brewery at Lang Lang and Maru Koala & Animal Park. The M420 (changing to B420) will get you all the way to Phillip Island. Your journey ends at Wilsons Promontory, 3 hours south-east of Melbourne.

Watch the Phillip Island penguins waddling from the ocean to their burrows every night

Forest and sea drive

This journey travels through postcard-worthy landscapes of Central Gippsland, from the suspension bridge in Tarra Bulga National Park to the seemingly endless coastline of Ninety Mile Beach. Squeeze in the vibrant regional hubs of Sale and Traralgon and drink in the tranquillity of Port Albert and Yarram.

Sale is a 2.5 hour easy drive east of Melbourne. Head out on the Princes Hwy (M1), changing to the A1 at Traralgon until your starting point of Sale. The road trip ends at Traralgon, where you can return to Melbourne in under 2 hours.

Stroll around the Port of Sale, the Sale Botanic Gardens or marvel at 19th century technology at Sale's Swing Bridge

Great Alpine Road

Pack your hiking boots, skis, fishing rod and mountain bikes. Road tripping along Victoria's Great Alpine Road, takes you through grand mountain ranges, splendidly rich forests and shimmering waterways. Head north from Metung sitting poised on the glistening Gippsland Lakes through Victoria's high country to Wangaratta.

Gippsland Lakes and Metung road trip is a crowd pleaser for adrenaline junkies and foodies alike

Hinterland Drive

If you are travelling from Melbourne, you will know you have reached Gippsland when suburbia melts into rolling green country pastures. Officially kick off your road trip with a celebratory tipple at one of the wineries along the West Gippsland Wine Trail. From Drouin you can cycle along the easy and family-friendly 8km Two Towns Trail (Drouin to Warragul), or bask in the leafy green parklands around the town like the manicured Civic Park or Robin Hood Reserve (Drouin).

Motor ahead down the Princes Hwy towards the relaxed country town of Yarragon. This town offers shopaholics all the knick-knacks they could dream of, with antiques, pottery, giftware, toys and galleries.

Turning north from the Princes Hwy at Moe, you will reach heavily forested mountainous landscapes. Rawson & Erica are located on the fringe of the Baw Baw National Park and are grand bases for 4WD adventures, epic hikes and mountain biking bliss, with the Erica Mountain Bike Park on the doorstep. The Thomson River offers kayak and white water rafting opportunities with some low grade rapids.

Discover historic villages, throw yourself into outdoor adventure and be dropped conveniently close to a thriving foodie and winery scene

Pictures from Visit Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com