2023/24 - 5 Days: Uncovering West Gippsland

This tour will introduce us to some of the diverse landscapes of the West Gippsland Region. With our base at Traralgon we will experience the tranquillity of an authentic slice of rural life.

There are many highlights on this holiday including the historic township of Walhalla, a rich gold producer for 50 years and a remote and picturesque mountain village. We visit the Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum at Port Albert, check out the Coal Creek Community Park and Museum and take a stunning wilderness cruise from Wilsons Promontory. Join us for this amazing spring adventure.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Puffing Billy Steam Train

  • Walhalla Goldfields Railway

  • Tara Bulga National Park,

  • Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum

  • Coal Creek Community Park and Museum

  • Wilsons Promontory Cruise

Day 1 (LD): Heading Off

Once everyone is on board we are ready to go. Sit back and enjoy the service and facilities aboard our deluxe touring coach as we make our way into the Dandenong Ranges. The first highlight of our tour is ride on the famous Puffing Billy Steam Train, through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges. In open sided carriages we brush past lush fern gullies and Mountain Ash trees that tower overhead. Just past Emerald we re-join the coach and continue down to Drouin and onto Moe for lunch at Old Gippstown Heritage Park - an open-air museum and reconstructed pioneer township that portrays the settlement era of Gippsland from the 1850s through to the 1950s. Later in the afternoon we arrive into Traralgon – our base for the next four nights. (Meal inclusions: Light lunch/Welcome dinner)

Quality Inn & Suites, Traralgon - 03 5173 7500 – 4 nights

Day 2: (BLD) Uncovering West Gippsland

South of Traralgon there is a fantastic lookout called “Miners View.” Loy Yang Power Station is Victoria’s biggest power station complex and produces a combined total power output of over 3000 megawatts of electricity, which is in excess of 40% of the entire State’s base load power supply. From the lookout we get a stunning view over the huge, 700 hectare, 180 metre deep open cut coal mine with the gigantic bucket wheel excavators digging coal for the power station. Not far away is the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden, a premier rose garden

We are on the edge of alpine country where there are lush landscapes and stunning valleys as we journey to Walhalla, once a busy gold mining centre.

After a welcomed lunch at the Walhalla Star Hotel, we take to the tracks on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway (traveling from Walhalla to Thomson Station). (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Light lunch)

Day 3: (BLD) More West Gippsland

Lots more adventures today as we  continue our exploration of Gippsland! We are heading south into the Tara Bulga National Park, nestled in the Strzelecki National Park (the drive is slow but scenic) and comprises 1580 hectares of beautiful temperate rainforest. After a chance to stretch our legs we continue to the Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum at Port Albert. Port Albert - a delightful fishing village, was Gippsland’s first port and was discovered in 1841 by the survivors of the wreck of the steamer 'Clonmel' on the Ninety Mile Beach. The Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum here has an extensive collection of historic artefacts, photos and documents housed in the heritage listed Bank of Victoria. We have arranged a visit and morning tea. We are then joined on the coach by local Warren Curry. A local artist in his own right, Warren will share the fascinating stories of the town. A “fish and chips lunch pack” has been arranged from the local Wild Fish Restaurant before we tour through to Korrumburra  for a visit to the Coal Creek Community Park and Museum. Home to around 30,000 objects, ranging from trains to thimbles, each piece helps to tell the story of life in South Gippsland during pioneer times. We take a guided tour, looking through the collection before going onto nearby Bena – home to Country Cheese. Enjoy the delightful tang and creamy texture on your tongue while listening to how handcrafted cheeses are made!! After a wonderful day, we arrive back into Traralgon before enjoying our dinner.  (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Light lunch)

Day 4: (BLD) Wilsons Promontory Cruise

Today is going to be a spectacular day! We head down to the Wilsons Promontory National Park and Tidal River where we board Pennicott Wilderness Journeys . Aboard an amphibious boat we cruise a rugged and raw coast like no other, marvelling at its prehistoric boulders and the iconic granite monolith that is Skull Rock.

Sculpted by waves and surrounded by crystal blue waters, Skull Rock's eerie facade becomes even more mysterious the closer we get. After an amazing morning of cruising we return to dry land where a welcoming picnic lunch awaits. On our return journey we meet a true Gippsland identity at Beloka Kelpies Stud. Paul Macphail has been breeding and training dogs since the early nineties and here you’ll get to witness him and his four-legged co-workers in action. From veterans to pups it will be a fun and intriguing afternoon. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/picnic lunch)

Skull Rock

Day 5 (BL): Heading Home via Loch

We check out of our hotel this morning, farewell our hosts and make our way to the historic village of Loch, just off the South Gippsland Highway. There are antique craft and art stores here in the village to enjoy. Perhaps take a walk over the suspension bridge. We will enjoy our picnic lunches in Sunnyside Park before re-joining the coach for the drive home to complete a wonderful 5 day tour. (Meal inclusions: breakfast in the hotel/packed lunch)

Tour Price

$1,610 per person twin/double share (minimum 40 people)

$1,681 (minimum 35)

$1,768 (minimum 30)

$1,890 (minimum 25)

Add $310 for a guaranteed single room (subject to availability)

Tour Inclusions

Tour price includes deluxe coach touring, 4 nights accommodation, meals as indicated (B=Cooked or buffet breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D=2 course limited choice dinner or buffet) and other attractions and entries included as per the itinerary.

Next Steps

To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.

Read some testimonials from past groups here.

Tour Conditions

A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.

Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.