Gippsland being the vast and diverse place it is you will find so many things to do on any visit to Gippsland. Some of the best attractions are amazing free things to do in Gippsland and they are located all over the region. Gippsland free things are found in forests, art galleries, national parks and so much more.
We have put together a list of some of the great free things to do in Gippsland for you to do when you visit Gippsland. Activities that are located in East Gippsland, South Gippsland, Central Gippsland and West Gippsland. Gippsland tourism attractions are just waiting for you. So pack up the car and get ready for some epic adventures.
Tarra Bulga National Park
For an epic day out in Gippsland, you must visit the Tarra Bulga National Park. Located in the Tarra Vally south-east of Traralgon and close to Yarram the Tarra Bulga National Park is a great way to connect with nature and walk through some amazing Australian bush. The highlight of the park is an easy walk to Corrigan’s bridge.
The bridge seems to float over the canopy of stunning, green, lush rain forest below. Bring some snags for a BBQ in the car park where hotplates and picnic tables are available.
Top tips for visiting Tara Bulga National Park
Watch out for the very friendly rosellas and magpies that will come in for your leftovers!
There is also a little museum on-site to have a look in if you have time. It has all the information on the national park
How to get to Tarra Bulga in Gippsland
Make your way to the park from the Princes Highway at Traralgon by following the Traralgon Creek Road to Balook. Alternatively, follow the Tarra Valley Road from Yarram. The journey from Traralgon to Tarra Bulga National Park will take approximately 33 minutes or roughly 35 km.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Tarra Bulga search >>here <<
Mountain biking in Gippsland
Gippsland is home to some world-class mountain bike tracks. The terrain and wide-open spaces of Gippsland lend themselves to some of the best mountain biking in the country.
Mountain biking in Gippsland can be an amazing day at many different locations. You can find Gippsland Mountain bike tracks at
Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park
Tyres Junction Railtrail
Mount Baw Baw Mountain bike trails
Mount Hotham to Dinner Plain Mountain Bike trail
Nowa Nowa Mountain Bike Park
Walhalla Gold Fields Mountain bike trail
Erica Mountain Bike Path
Gippsland Lakes Discovery Cycling Trail
Koala spotting in Gippsland
A dream of many people is to see the cute little native Aussie animal in their native habitat and seeing them for free is nearly impossible. Raymond Island on the Gippsland Lakes is home to a large native koala population. The Raymond Island Koala trail gives you a chance to see the iconic Koala in the wild. This has to be one of our favourite free things to do in Gippsland.
The trail takes you through the bush and town streets where you will find koala’s eating eucalyptus leaves and sleeping. The trail has signposts directing you where to go.
How to get to Raymond Island
First, you will need to go to Paynesville. Catch the Raymond Island ferry from Paynesville. The Raymond Island ferry operates on a regular basis and the ferry makes Raymond Island accessible by foot or bicycle (for free) or by car (for a small fee) The ferry takes under 5 minutes from Paynesville to reach Raymond Island. To get to Paynesville turn off the Princes Highway at Bairnsdale.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Paynesville? Click here for options
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge
This amazing relic of the past is located in the Colquhoun State Forest between Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa. The huge trestle bridge that the now long-defunct train from Bairnsdale to Orbost used to pass over still stands mighty in the bush that surrounds it.
At 247m long and 20m high, it is the largest standing bridge of its kind in the State of Victoria and is listed on the Register of Historic Sites. Today the East Gippsland rail trail between Bruthern and Nowa Nowa passes by the bridge.
Top tip for visiting the Stony Creek Trestle Bridge
Take your time there and have a bbq.
While you are unable to gain access to the bridge you are able to get close enough to get pictures and see the bush around it.
How to get to Stony Creek Trestle Bridge
Turn at the signpost is on the Princes Highway between Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa (about 5km from Nowa Nowa). After you turn off from the Princes Highway there is about a 3km drive into the bush to the bridge.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Stony Creek Trestle Bridge? Click here for accommodation options
The Entrance Walk
Lakes Entrance is where the sea meets the Lakes. In order to walk to the entrance, you must first cross the footbridge to the 90-mile beach which is located on the main street of Lakes Entrance. The entrance is located 2.3 km from the footbridge once you cross it.
You can choose to walk along the 90-mile beach, the lakes or through the designated trails. Expect to take 3 hours return for this journey.
Top tip for the Entrance walk in Lakes Entrance
If you are lucky you might just see some dolphins at the entrance or some seals sunning on the rocks.
Please also take water and anything else you will need as there are no shops along the way.
How to get to Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance lies 330 kilometres east of Melbourne on the Princes Highway.
Kernott Lake Morwell
Kernot Lake is located in the middle of Morwell. You will have to turn off the Princess Highway to find it. Kernot Lake is regularly stocked with fish and has free BBQs and picnic seats surrounding the lake for you to use. The lake also has an open-air museum, The Gippsland Heritage Walk.
The Gippsland Heritage Walk takes you around the lake and explains the history of Gippsland for you. The Gippsland Heritage Walk is not to be missed as far as combining a little learning with fun things to do in your Latrobe Valley holidays such as fishing.
How to get to Kernot Lake
Turn left off the Princes Highway to Monash Way, just after the train overpass turns right and you will be in the Kernot Hall car park.
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum Korumburra
Coal Creek in Korumburra is a great day out for the whole family. I can’t believe a place like this has free entry and it is so family-friendly too. Coal Creek Community Park and Museum is home to around 30,000 objects ranging from trains to thimbles.
Each piece is important as it helps to tell us the story of life in South Gippsland during the pioneer times. You can take a picnic and enjoy it in the pioneer setting of Coal Creek. You can catch a small train ride and look in the shops, you can grab a coffee or just stroll around the heritage park. Coal Creek is an amazing day out in Gippsland and is a must-see when visiting Gippsland.
How to get to Coal Creek
Coal Creek is located on the South Gippsland Highway in Korumburra
Stay in Korrumburra for the night, we have accommodation options here for you
Noojee Trestle Bridge
Located in a tall native forest is the amazing Noojee Trestle Bridge. It is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria (beating Stony Creek Trestle Bridge by 1 meter in height) The Noojee Trestle Bridge also marks the starting point for walks and cycling along the Gippsland Rain Trail.
This makes the Noojee Trestle Bridge a very popular spot for day-trippers to the Gippsland region. The Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail is a short bike trail that meanders through the forest for three kilometres along with a smooth dirt and gravel track. The walk over the Noojee Trestle Bridge is six kilometres return, taking around two hours to complete. The Noojee Trestle bridge is one of the best Gippsland tourist attractions.
How to get to Noojee Trestle Bridge
Coming from Melbourne, head east on the Princes Freeway (M1), coming from Sale head west. Take a left at the Drouin exit and follow the signs towards Noojee. The road will eventually lead to a right turn onto Mount Baw Baw Tourist Rd and once you pass the Alpine Trout Farm, keep a lookout for the Trestle Bridge on your right 1km or so up the road.
Book your accommodation in Noojee today
Grand Ridge Rail Trail
Mirboo North is one of those charming little Gippsland towns and it is home to the starting point of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail. Starting in Mirboo North right behind the Grand Ridge Brewery the rail trail runs to Boolara. The great thing about this section of the Gippsland Rail Trail is that 95% of the trail is downhill which is great for kids experiencing the rail trail.
The trail stretches for 13 kilometres through the Strzelecki Ranges following the old Mirboo North – Morwell Rail line. This is a great ride for families and it snakes its way through the forest. There are rest areas and information signs talking about the history of the area along the rail trail.
Top tip for riding the Grand Ridge Rail Trail
At the end of that section in Boolara is a little park with toilets and a couple of cafe’s to get a drink or something to eat. It is a great spot to stop on your bike travels in Gippsland
How to get to Mirboo North, Gippsland
Mirboo North is located 156 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. It is accessible by road from either the South Gippsland Highway via Leongatha and onto the Strzelecki Highway, or the Princes Highway with access from Trafalgar or Morwell.
Stay the night in Mirboo North, we have accommodation options for you right here
See world class street art in Yarram
People would normally think you would have to go to Melbourne to see some fantastic street art but now you can see it in Yarram. World renown street artist Heesco has spent an incredible amount of time bringing to life some of the old walls in Yarram. Using inspiration from local people the paintings are stunning and touch a chord to any local in the area. This is one of the newest additions to free things to do in Gippsland and should not be missed.
Where is Yarram?
The small town of Yarram is located in Victoria, Australia. It is a part of the Wellington Shire and is in Southeast Gippsland.
Long Jetty Port Welshpool
The long Jetty has recently had a multi-million dollar makeover to make it functional again. Stretching an amazing 850 meters into the water towards Snake Island it makes for a unique walk for the family. The long Jetty was once used for cargo and servicing the offshore oils rigs before a fire damaged it.
With its overhaul, it can be used again by recreational fishermen. The finished jetty has been built to the requirements for safety with a handrail on the sides, public lighting, water supply and a fire service. The jetty also features fishing stations, artefacts and interpretive signage which makes it a great day trip destination in Gippsland.
Where is Port Welshpool?
Port Welshpool can be accessed off the South Gippsland Highway at Toora. Coming from Melbourne take the South Gippsland highway out of Cranbourne or coming from the east turn off at Sale and take the South Gippsland Highway
Agnes Falls
The Agnes Falls are located down South Gippsland way just outside of Toora. Agnes Falls is a classic waterfall that cascades over a series of rocks culminating in a 59-metre drop. It is best viewed after periods of heavy rain when the falls and surrounding rock pools are at their best.
Agnes Falls is the highest single span waterfall in Victoria. You will find picnic tables and toilet facilities near the car park
Where is Agnes Falls?
Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve is situated 196km southeast of Melbourne or 110 Kilometers south of Sale. Agnes Falls is easily reached from the South Gippsland Highway at Toora by following Silcocks Hill Road.
Book your accommodation near Agnes Falls and Port Welshpool right here
The Trinculo Wreck – 90 Mile Beach
These days there is not much left of the Trinculo that run ashore on the 90 Mile Beach between Seaspray and Golden Beach on the 6th of September 1879.
The Trinculo was built in 1758 in Bristol, England. It was on a journey from Albany, Western Australia to Newcastle, New South Wales.
Where is the Trinculo Wreck?
The Trinculo shipwreck is on Shoreline Drive around 6 km from Golden Beach or 20 km from Seaspray. Golden Beach can be reached from the South Gippsland Highway just out of Sale
Swimming at Buchan Caves
At the Buchan Caves Reserve in East Gippsland, you will find an amazing freshwater pool. What makes this pool so special is that the water that fills the pool runs straight out of a cave that is no more than a few meters away. The water is always crystal clear and cold.
When I say cold I mean very cold, some of the iciest water I have ever come across. It is a great place for a bbq or picnic on a hot summers day, then cool off in the pool for the afternoon.
Unfortunately, at this time the Pool at Buchan Caves is closed and there is no information about it reopening. We will update when we have some information about it.
Where is Buchan Caves?
Buchan Caves is 4.5 hours east of Melbourne, 55 Minutes from Bairnsdale and 45 minutes from Lakes Entrance. Coming from Melbourne turn off at Bairnsdale towards Bruthen. Coming from Lakes Entrance turn off at Nowa Nowa towards Bruthen
Stay and explore the Buchan caves for a weekend, book your accommodation here
Gippsland Art Gallery
Located in the recently opened Port of Sale Building in one of the biggest Gippsland towns, Sale Victoria. The Gippsland Art Gallery has a permanent collection on display for viewing by everyone. You will also find a rolling exhibition on show there throughout the year.
At the time of writing the Gallery was featuring 2 exhibitions called “Grand Country” and “Space”. The Gippsland Art Gallery overlooks the Port of Sale which holds a local market on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Where is the Gippsland Art Gallery?
The Gippsland Art Gallery is on the Princess Highway in Sale.
As you can see there are so many amazing free things to do in Gippsland that are suitable for the whole family. From nature to world-class street art Gippsland has it all.
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland has you inspired to visit Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our Gippsland Attractions page for more brilliant inspiration.
More travel inspiration for your trip to Gippsland
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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Mcloughlin beach footbridge walk another wobderful free adventure
Great suggestion we have done that one a few times