Coming into Maffra from any direction one of the first things you notice is the surrounding farmland whether it be dairy or vegetable farms. Lush green paddocks with rolling fields, cows grazing and corn or canola growing. It is a beautiful sight.
Driving into Maffra you will instantly be drawn to the tree-lined nineteenth century Main Street, Johnson Street. The tree-lined avenue has local shops lying on each side street, some still sporting heritage verandas. Maffra’s main street is a throwback to times gone by with its community rotunda and town clock. A time when small Gippsland towns thrived.
Maffra population
Maffra Victoria has a small population of around 5,000, with the major industries being dairy farming and vegetable growing. The dairy industry is in decline while the vegetable industry surrounding the town continues to grow steadily.
Things to do in Maffra Victoria
What you will find in a small town like Maffra are friendly people and small-town hospitality. Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Maffra.
Gippsland Vehicle Collection
The jewel in the crown of things to do in Maffra. The Gippsland Vehicle collection is an award-winning motor vehicle museum. The museum has a rotating display of vehicles and motorcycles. The Gippsland Vehicle collection stages a number of shows throughout the year featuring different themes such as American classics, Fords etc just to name a few. You can make a day of it by bringing some food and using the free BBQ facilities onsite. GVC now allows self-contained travellers to camp on the grounds of the Motor Museum.
What is the Gippsland Vehicle Collection address?
1 Maffra-Sale Rd, Maffra VIC 3860
What are the Gippsland Vehicle Collection opening hours?
Friday-Monday from 10.00am – 4.00pm
Gippsland Rail Trail
The Gippsland Rail Trail that runs from Traralgon to Stratford enters and departs from Maffra. The rail trail provides visitors with a great place to ride their bikes or do some walking towards both Stratford and Tinamba. It is a nice flat surface ride to Stratford 11 kilometres away.
If you like a drop of wine you can call in to Avon Ridge Winery for a glass of wine at the near halfway mark. The ride to Tinamba has you surrounded by green dairy farming pastures. There are places to eat and drink at both Tinamba and Stratford.
Have a bbq at the Macalister River Park
If you are travelling in Gippsland with kids a stop at the amazing Macalister River Park in Maffra is a must. This large and well-maintained park is beside the mighty Macalister river and is a great family-friendly stop. There is a walking track beside the river where you can stretch your legs and look for local native animals.
What is the Macalister River Park address?
McMahon Drive, Maffra Victoria 3860
What facilities are at the Macalister River Park Maffra
There are plenty of facilities at Macalister River park for everyone.
- Toilets
- Free Bbq
- Play equipment
- Close to Woolworths Supermarket
- Large lawned area for pets
- Shaded eating areas
- Seating
- Walking track
- Ample parking
- Close to the Maffra Sugarbeet Museum
Maffra Golf Club
Maffra Golf Course has a reputation as having some of the best greens in the Gippsland area. The Maffra Golf Course is a par 72 golf course of just over 6000 meters. The course will provide a challenge to golfers of all abilities. A clubhouse has a bar and sells food on competition days and weekends. Green fee players and members of other clubs are welcome. The Maffra Golf Course has space for Rv parking so you can stay overnight.
What is the Maffra Golf Club address?
13 Fulton Rd, Maffra VIC 3860
What time is the Golf Course open?
The golf course is open daily from 9.00 am-5.00 pm
Tips for playing golf at Maffra Gold Club?
- There are competition days where you may not be able to play
- There are motorised carts and push carts for hire
- You can hire golf clubs
- If you need to stay the night there is a motor home park out the back of the club house
- You can call the club house on 03 5147 1884 to book a time
Macalister Wetland Reserve
Maffra wetlands walk is a short 1.5 kilometres walk that is accessed from River Street near the local pool. The Wetlands of Maffra has both paved paths and wooden boardwalks. A number of Birds on the Victorian threatened species list which has been recorded at Macalister Wetland Reserve.
You might just see the Australasian Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Great Egret, Nankeen Night Heron, Royal Spoonbill, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and the Painted Snipe. There are a number of bench seats and picnic tables for you to sit on.
Maffra Tourist Information Centre
If you’re still looking for further things to do in Maffra call in to the local tourist information centre. The Maffra tourist information centre is located in the old courthouse building on Johnson St (the main street) and is a Maffra attraction in itself.
What is the Maffra Tourist Information Center address?
96 Johnson St, Maffra VIC 3860
What are the Tourist Information Office opening hours?
Open daily from 10.00 am – 3.00 pm (The Tourist Information Office closes early at 1.00 pm on a Tuesday)
Maffra Sugarbeet Museum
Go back in time and learn about an industry that kept this town alive in times past. The Sugarbeet Museum is in the old office and weighbridge factory building that was used by the employees in its heyday. Outside you will also find some old equipment that was used in the harvesting process.
Inside there is plenty on the industry in the area, information on European families that settled in the area and some information on the local Aboriginal tribe that lived in the area.
What is the Maffra Sugarbeet Museum address?
McMahon Dr, Maffra VIC 3860
What are the Sugarbeet Museum opening hours?
Hours differ during seasons and on the availability of volunteers. Please contact 0351472680 to organise a visit.
Find the wooden sculptures at Victoria Park
Another beautiful park in Maffra to visit is Victoria Park. Here you will find wooden sculptures displayed along the banks of a large pond. You can walk through the park or around Victoria park to find the sculptures.
What is the Victoria Park in Maffra address?
52 Kent Street, Maffra Victoria 3860 (Across from the Maffra District Hospital)
What facilities does Victoria Park Maffra have?
There are plenty of facilities at Victoria Pain in Maffra for anyone who needs a break.
- Tap water
- Free gas Bbq
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Large shaded eating area
- Play equipment
- Ample parking on Kent Street
Maffra Farmers Market
The Maffra Farmers Market is held on the first Sunday of every month. You will find local produce, arts and crafts along with second-hand goods and more.
Where is the farmers market
The market at Maffra is held on the parkland behind Woolworths on McMahon Drive
Sample a local wine
The residents of Maffra are lucky enough to have 2 wonderful wineries close to town. The closer of the two is Avon Ridge (the restaurant is called the Vines on Avon) and the other is Blue Gables.
The Avon Ridge Winery
Located just 5.5km’s out of the Maffra township towards Stratford Avon Ridge is a great place for a tasting of local wine. Surrounded by views of the vines you can also see out over the Avon River Valley. Not only can you enjoy a local Maffra wine here there is also an assortment of ciders too. The new restaurant and dining area is called The Vines on Avon.
What is Avon Ridge address?
446 Stratford-Maffra Rd, Maffra VIC 3860, Australia
Blue Gables
Situated on top of a small hill with the vines behind you, you are able to look down on some amazing farmland that the area is known for. You can sit inside under the verandah or out in the sun on the large picnic-style tables. While you are having your local Maffra wine you can enjoy some local Maffra cheese platers or wood-fired pizza. Blue Gables is located 23km’s from the Maffra township through beautiful farming lands.
What is Blue Gables address?
100 Lanigan Rd, Maffra West Upper VIC 3859, Australia
*If you are unable to get out to either of these wineries during your visit to Maffra you can purchase wines from them at the local IGA store in their liquor department. IGA is located at 102-106 Johnson St, Maffra VIC 3860
Devour a Maffra Pie
Many people will attest to loving a Maffra Pie. This award-winning piece of heaven is a Maffra legend in its own right. Whether it’s at the footy or grabbing one to head to the park with the kids you can’t go wrong.
The Maffra Bakery and their pies have been around for as long as I can remember with my mother returning home with a treat of as Maffra pie on many occasions when I was growing up.
Where can I get a Maffra Pie?
You can visit the Maffra Bakery at 18 Foster Street Maffra, Victoria 3860
Does the Maffra Bakery sell other items?
You will find an array of cakes, bread, drinks, made to order salad rolls, sausage rolls and different flavoured pies if the traditional Maffra pie is not for you.
When is the Maffra Bakery open?
You will find the Bakery open Monday to Friday 7.30 am – 4.00 pm and Saturday mornings until 12.30.
Watch a football match at Maffra
Maffra Football Club plays in the Gippsland Latrobe Football League. The Gippsland Latrobe league is the only major football competition in the league. Maffra just happens to be a powerhouse in this league. Maffra has won 9 premierships in the last 18 years. Watching football in Maffra will keep you entertained with a high level of skill.
Where can I watch a football match in Maffra?
Maffra Recreation Reserve, McLean Street, Maffra
Maffra Accommodation
Being a small rural town there are not too many options for Maffra accommodation. There are a few places to stay in Maffra and we will list them below.
*Some of these places to stay only have basic facilities or they are only available to stay in if you are self-contained.
How to get to Maffra by car
Maffra is easily accessed off the Princess Highway on the Melbourne side of Stratford or via the Princess Highway turn off between Sale and Traralgon. You can easily follow the signs to Maffra.
How to get to Maffra by bus
If you are travelling to Maffra from Melbourne you will find you can book tickets through V/Line.
How to get to Maffra by train
There are no direct trains from Melbourne to Maffra. If you are travelling from Melbourne to Maffra you can get a train to Traralgon and then you will have to transfer onto a bus.
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland on our amazing hometown in Gippsland Australia has made you want to visit. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our Central Gippsland page for more brilliant Gippsland inspiration.
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About the Author
Mark has grown up and lived in the Gippsland area all his life. Being born and raised in Gippsland he knows a thing or 2 about this amazing region. When Mark is not working he is out exploring the best of Gippsland with his wife and kids
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