Latrobe Valley: History, Heritage and Spectacular Wilderness
The Latrobe Valley is located in the Gippsland region, just ninety minutes east of Melbourne. This is a destination of diverse landscapes, with mountains, valleys and abundant wildlife. Stay in a heritage guesthouse, trek through lush rainforest and even pan for gold.
Tarra Bulga National Park is one Victoria’s major cool temperate rainforests. With lush fern gullies and towering mountain ash trees, it’s a nature-lover's paradise. Walking trails lead you past tree ferns and cascading waterfalls. The Fern Gully Nature Walk with its suspension bridge and Tarra Falls are just two highlights of this stunning national park.
Make the most of the spectacular terrain with a bushwalk, cycle or a rafting tour. Mountain fishing is another popular activity and if you are proficient at fishing you can always join a guide on a tour. You may be lucky enough to encounter some of the other abundant wildlife including lyrebirds, gliders, wombats, swamp wallabies and platypuses.
Morwell National Park is another beautiful area, home to lush forest, waterfalls and over forty species of native orchid. Take a guided walk or picnic with spectacular views and enjoy the beautiful surrounds.
Walhalla is a charming heritage town that, in the 19th century, bustled with prospectors seeking gold. Now it’s home to only twenty residents but it’s full of stunning, restored heritage architecture. Visit Cohen’s Reef, a 3km gold vein running though Walhalla where you can learn about the town’s golden history and you can even try your hand at panning for gold at Stringers Creek.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway is a highlight. It will escort you through the stunning Stringers Creek Gorge with its towering trees and spring wildflowers.
Close by is Hazelwood Pondage, which features mild waters all year round. It is a wonderful place to swim, sail, water ski or even hire a canoe or yacht. Enjoy a picnic or barbeque by the water’s edge.
Camping is not permitted in Tarra Bulga or Morwell National Parks, however you will be spoiled for choice with a range of accommodation options in the Tarra Valley and around Walhalla. Choose from heritage guest houses, country house style accommodation, cabins, caravan parks, and even a Swiss-style chalet with stunning, long-reaching views.
Latrobe City is a major town in the region, and also well stocked with accommodation, restaurants, shops and nightlife, so if you’re looking for a change of pace, this is the spot.
The Latrobe Valley is the perfect destination to immerse yourself in spectacular natural surrounds, discover wonderful wildlife and experience charming, historic villages. Are you ready for your own Latrobe Valley adventure?
