Australian Traveller

Gippsland: for lovers of boutique experience­s

- To plan your stay in Gippsland, see visitgipps­land.com.au

Stretching from the far eastern CORNER of Victoria and along the coast to the southernmo­st tip of MAINLAND Australia and beyond into the FOOTHILLS of the Australian Alps, GIPPSLAND might be big, but it’s BOUTIQUE in nature. Here’s just a SAMPLE of what you’ll find. BOUTIQUE GIPPSLAND FOOD AND WINE

Home to vast stretches of pristine coastline, peppered with fishing villages and coves, it’s no wonder seafood is a big deal in Gippsland’s boutique restaurant­s. You’ll find amazing seafood served up in places such as SODAFISH in Lakes Entrance, in SARDINE EATERY & BAR

Paynesvill­e and in Port Albert. WILDFISH

Pairing food and wine with minimal food miles is standard in Gippsland, where farmers, winemakers and chefs collaborat­e in eateries such as near Traralgon, and NARKOOJEE

in Warragul. Tuck into a HOGGET KITCHEN platter of Gippsland cheese at Inverloch’s

and treat yourself to a DIRTY THREE WINES terroir-testing of the three pinots, each grown in the three vineyards that give the wine its name. Gippsland’s craft beer scene is just hitting its stride; you’ll still find the brewer at the taps when you pull up a stool. Try BURRA

in Korumburra, BREWING RED BLUFF BREWERS near Lakes Entrance, in BANDOLIER BREWERY Warragul or in Traralgon. GOODLAND BEER English-style cider is served with a spectacula­r view at near Wilsons Prom and GURNEYS CIDER the satsuma gin liqueur is made with homegrown blood plums at LOCH BREWERY

DISTILLERY, one of the few distilleri­es where you can still meet and chat with the maker.

BOUTIQUE GIPPSLAND ACCOMMODAT­ION

Gippsland rules the roost when it comes to boutique places to stay. in Meeniyan ROSS FARM offers three reimagined farm sheds with nextlevel wow factor – think lots of granite, burnished brass and handcrafte­d steel and a wooden Japanese bath so deep you’ll need to wear floaties. near JETTY ROAD RETREAT Metung has water views and free kayaks; if you’re lucky you may even find yourself paddling with dolphins. at SILO HOUSE Inverloch is luxury inside a converted wheat silo. The cabins at in the TOMS CAP VINEYARD foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges are encircled by grapevines, and the four-bedroom RIDGE

near Yarragon is surrounded by 20 HOUSE hectares of private bushland. If you’re looking for boutique accommodat­ion that’s kid friendly, too, the BIG4 TRARALGON PARK LANE HOLIDAY

has an obstacle ropes course, laser tag, go PARK karts, mini golf, indoor play centre, a jumping pillow and a pool, and a range of cabins to suit all budgets, as well as en suite caravan sites. Pets are welcome and the team will even deliver coffee to your door – the perfect holiday wake-up call.

 ?? ?? CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
Escape to the country at The Ridge House; Enjoy the romance of Ross Farm; Sodafish at Lakes Entrance; English-style cider at Gurneys Cider.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Escape to the country at The Ridge House; Enjoy the romance of Ross Farm; Sodafish at Lakes Entrance; English-style cider at Gurneys Cider.
 ?? ??
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia