Buchan Caves
Visit the underground splendour of stalactites and stalagmites in the Buchan Caves. A world of colour and enchantment below, you will marvel at the formations and maze of caves.
Dating back over 300 million years, ancient rivers flowing and seeping through limestone rock formed the Caves. Europeans first explored them in the early 1900’s.
The Fairy Cave presents a visual tapestry of rich limestone shapes and Royal Cave is noted for the calcite-rimmed pools. The Caves are fully lit with walkways. Guided tours are conducted daily in both. Tours to ‘wild’ caves can also be arranged for small groups.
Stay right at the Caves Reserve above ground. Camp or stay in Cabins, or try the Wilderness Retreats for a mix of both. Wildlife like kangaroos, bellbirds & lyrebirds are commonly seen within the reserve.
90 Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is a stretch of golden sand, which runs for 151 kilometres (94 miles) between Port Albert and Lakes Entrance. The beach is made up of long sandy dunes and separates the Gippsland Lakes – including Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington – from Bass Strait. Moor your boat near the lakeshore and walk through the protected coastal park to the beach. Natural and unspoiled, the region is ideal for a variety of activities, including walking, fishing and whale watching. Swimmers are advised to stick to patrolled stretches of beach around Lakes Entrance, Woodside and Seaspray, as strong rips and cross currents can make conditions hazardous. Ninety Mile Beach is part of the Lakes National Park.
Nyerimilang Homestead and Heritage Park
Nyerimalang Homestead is a large historic house perched on a hilltop above the Gippsland Lakes and surrounded by lovely gardens in the Nyerimilang Heritage Park. Deep verandahs frame the house on two sides. It is not hard to imagine a warm summer's evening spent relaxing in the shade here watching boats pass by on the lake.
As you walk through the homestead your footsteps will echo on the solid wooden floors and your eye will be caught by sunlight rippling through stained glass windows. In the lounge an imposing mantle sits above a brick fireplace. In the bathroom a claw foot bath takes pride of place. The kitchen is displayed as it might have been had you dropped in for afternoon tea all those years ago.
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge
Only a short detour from the highway is one of Victoria's impressive and historic trestle bridges. At 274 metres long and 18.6 metres high, the Stony Creek Trestle Bridge in the Colquhoun State Forest is claimed to be the largest remaining wooden bridge in Australia. It was built in 1916 from locally sourced red iron bark and grey box timber.
Unfortunately this bridge is not well maintained and cannot be traversed. It has been barricaded for safety. Stony Creek Bridge is part of the East Gippsland Rail Trail, a 96km cycling, walking and horse riding route running from Bairnsdale to Orbost along the route of the old Orbost Railway Line. An information board at the site gives some interesting history.
The bridge is majestic when viewed from below and an excellent subject for photographers.
Raymond Island
Wild koalas in residential streets, who would have imagined but in the unique environment of Raymond Island, that's exactly how it is.
Why not leave the car in Paynesville and take the short 200 metre ferry ride across to the Island. Pedestrians and cyclists travel for free. The ferry is a chain drawn punt and a great experience for the children.
Disembark at Ferry Park where you will find BBQ's, a shaded picnic area,a children's playground and public toilets. A large information board covered in interesting koala facts, details the 1.2 kilometre koala trail.
Scan the treetops for koalas which are in sufficient numbers to guarantee sightings. The koalas were introduced to Raymond Island in 1953 as a safeguard against extinction when 32 of them were sent from Phillip Island. There are more than 200 there now.
Native birds are also here in abundance. You might see rainbow lorikeets, eastern rosellas, crimson rosellas and kookaburras. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and echidnas.
Round off your visit with a stroll along the boardwalk. Boats and yachts are moored at the jetty and water birds are plentiful. There are walking and cycling trails and tracks, safe swimming beaches and plenty of fishing spots.