High Country Gold & Heritage

- Omeo - Cassilis - Swifts Creek

• Omeo

  • This town's gold rush heritage is reflected through its splendid old buildings

• Oriental Claims

  • The vastness of Australia's alluvial gold digging is a breathtaking viewing experience. With cliffs looming more than 200 feet high and a maze of tunnels running for miles underground, these claims were some of the richest in the state. Set around the Livingstone Creek the claims are heritage listed and boast a unique flora and fauna. With more than a dozen bushwalks and easy car access to the claims, this 243 ha area is well worth the stop.

• Cassilis

  • This village was named after a small township in Scotland and was a thriving mining centre in the 1880's. it was once home to some 1000 people but today, however, there is little evidence of its passing save a lonely, but fascinating cemetery filled with miners and their kin. Set in a quiet but picturesque valley, this place is well worth paying respects to.

• Swifts Creek

• Route marker  This drive may be marked along the way with a tourist marker 4 -  ''

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 - Lakes Entrance - Nyerimilang Park - Metung - Swan Reach - Bruthen

• Gippsland Lakes
  • Did you know the Gippsland Lakes is the largest water system in the Southern Hemisphere and is edged by the famous 90 Mile Beach?  The Lookout, Kalimna Hill, Lakes Entrance.  Take in views of some 60kms of inland salt-water lakes, the entrance to the ocean, 90 Mile Beach and Bass Strait.
• Nyerimilang Park
  • This historic homestead is beautifully maintained and features great views and walking tracks
• Metung
  • This charming village was home to the Bull's shipyard, established in 1913 by Captain James Bull. In days gone by, large steamers plied the lakes carrying wool, timber, wheat and passengers between East Gippsland and Melbourne.

• Swan Reach and the Tambo River

  • Popular destination for fishermen, with many types of native fish - especially bream - to qualify it as a great place to catch a meal.

• Bruthen

• Route markers

  • This drive may be marked along the way with a tourist marker 3 -  ''

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- Bairnsdale - Mitchell River Silt Jetties - Eagle Point - Paynesville - Raymond Island Koalas

• Bairnsdale
• The Mitchell River and Mitchell River Silt Jetties

  • Winding through Bairnsdale towards Paynesville, the Mitchell River draws its water from the Wonnangatta and Dargo High Plains with a spectacular entrance to Lake King through the Mitchell River Silt Jetties. An environmental marvel, these jetties were formed by silt deposits during flood times and are some 8 kms long - second in size to those of the Mississippi River!

    Hop growing was a flourishing industry along the river flats from the 1870's until 1916 until crops were decimated by red spider. Today vegetable growing is the area's major industry. Be sure to have film in your camera - this experience offers unbelievable views and sunsets.

• Eagle Point

  • Foreshore featuring stunning views and an ideal spot for a tranquil picnic or family swim.

• Paynesville

  • Paynesville boasts sheltered waters extending in an arc of 300 degrees - and with the mooring of over 1000 boats, is acclaimed the boating capital of Victoria.

• Raymond Island Koalas

  • Raymond Island is home to a large community of koalas, freely roaming and going lazily about their ways. Keep an eye out - and the abundance of bird life is amazing too.

• Route markers

  • This drive may be marked along the way with a route marker 2

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Start in Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale or Orbost.

Near the Township of Buchan lies a honeycomb of caves full of spectacular limestone formations. 

Guided tours are conducted daily in Royal Cave and Fairy cave between 10am and 3.30pm. Both caves are lit and have walkways with Royal Cave featuring calcite rimmed pools, and Fairy cave, elaborate stalactites and stalagmites.

Amongst the hundreds of deciduous trees growing in the Reserve, there is a swimming Pool, picnic ground, playground, toilets, kiosk, powered campsites and an information centre.

Entry to the Reserve is free, and optional guided tours attract an admission fee.

Tours to "wild", unlit caves can be arranged for small groups

• Buchan Caves Reserve 03 5155 9264

• Touring Route extension from Buchan

• Snowy River Country Trail

• (Brochure and Maps available from Information Centres)

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From Orbost to Raymond Creek Falls

• The Snowy River and Orbost

Park the car at the Orbost Visitor Information Centre to take a wander through the centre's magnificent outdoor rainforest setting, and then over to Orbost's picturesque parkland hugging the Snowy River.

Laze by the banks of the Snowy by foot upstream or downstream to enjoy it's magnificence.

• The Historic Slab Hut

• Raymond creek Falls

The drive to Raymond creek Falls is full of interesting highlights including the State Forest which previews fine stands of sweet pittosporum and stringybark.

At the Falls, a 20 - 30 minute walking track leads to spectacular views of the 20m. plunge of the Raymond Creek Falls to a deep clear pool. The picnic and fireplace facilities at Raymond Creek Falls are brilliantly set in natural openings within the bush. A great place to relax and restore.

• Route markers

  • This drive may be marked along the way way with a route marker 6' '

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- Snowy River - Marlo - Cape Conran - Cabbage Tree Creek

• Snowy River Flats

Follow the Snowy River as it romances its way along rich river flats to journey's end at the sea.

• Marlo and French's Narrows

With magnificent views out over the Snowy River's coastal waterways and the ocean beyond, this spot is a fisherman's paradise.

• Cape Conran Coastal Park

Cape Conran is a natural coastal playground of outstanding beauty. Enjoy miles of sandy beaches, and explore rockpools, boardwalks, bushwalks and lookouts.  Diverse flora and fauna can be found in the coastal heathlands and banksia woodlands. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seals in the ocean.

This precious coastal area is popular for surfing, diving, swimming and fishing offshore in the surf or in the Snowy Estuary.  Canoeists and walkers alike enjoy the tranquil waters of the Yeerung River year round. Enjoy spectacular sunsets from the West Cape beach.

• Cabbage Tee Palms

The southern most stands of these majestic palms can be found spotted amongst the mahogany forest of the Cabbage Tree Creek. Bell miners provide an orchestral ambience along the walking track.

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- Croajingolong - Gypsy Point - Mallacoota - Shipwreck Creek 

Mountains, lakes and spectacular coastline - the real feature of this drive is the ultimate 'as you drive' wilderness experience

• Croajingolong

A UNESCO declares world Biosphere Reserve, this area features coastal plains, heathlands, mixed forests and pockets of warm temperate rainforest. The fauna is rich and varied with an abundance of wildlife including mammals, marsupials, reptiles, bats and a great variety of birdlife - nearly 300 species, many rare and migratory. Seals, dolphins and whales are often spotted off the coast.

• Gypsy Point

A tranquil hamlet with boat ramp and very popular for fishing, canoeing, bird watching and bushwalking.  Fabulous views of Bottom Lake, Howe Range, Gabo Island and Lighthouse along the way.

• Mallacoota

This township is a treasure offering an abundance of activates and recreation.

• Shipwreck Creek

Famous for the 20 or so wrecks that occurred on this wilderness coast between 1853 ane 1930 (including the 'Monumental City' and 'The Schah'), keep an eye out for the rare ground parrot which inhabits this spot. Shipwreck Creek is great for paddling and more experienced swimming and surfing. Take time to enjoy a picnic at this site.

• Route markers

  • This drive may be marked along the way way with a route marker 7 ''

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