South East Victoria

The landscape around the south east of Victoria is beautiful, and home to a number of spectacular National Parks. Heading east from Melbourne along the Princess Highway you will reach the pretty La Trobe Valley. On your way out of Melbourne you should also visit the wine growing region of the Yarra Valley. The La Trobe Valley is well known for it coal mining and electricity generating. There are numerous power stations you can visit, as well as an interesting Heritage Park near Moe.

From Moe you should definitely turn off of the highway and head north to the historic town of Walhalla and the spectacular Baw Baw National Park. After you visit you can jump back onto the highway and continue until you reach Sale. Sale used to be a busy port, although today its connection to the nearby lakes and waterways makes it an ideal habitat for numerous waterbirds within the Gippsland Wetlands.

Phillip Island PenguinsAnother way you can get to Sale is by following the coastal Bass Highway or the South Gippsland Highway, passing the pretty Dandenongs and Mornington Peninsula on the way. Although the Bass Highway takes longer than the South Gippsland Highway you will pass numerous bays and beaches along the way. There are some great surfing beaches along the coastline, with the main surfing spots at Venus Bay and Waratah Bay. You can also visit French Island and the popular penguin resort of Phillip Island.

French Island is made up of National Park, although it used to be a prison farm. If you want to experience prison life then you can stay in one of the cells at the Old Prison Farm. If you prefer, there is also a camping ground and guesthouse. You can get to both islands by ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula.

If you follow the South Gippsland Highway you will pass Korumburra, set against the magnificent Strzelecki Ranges. There is an interesting historical park you can visit here called Coral Creek Historical Park. Continuing along the highway you can head south from Meeniyan or Foster to the fabulous Wilsons Promontory National Park.

East again along the South Gippsland Highway you will pass the pretty Agnes Falls and the Tarra Bulga National Park. The deep forest within the park offers some great walking tracks and picnic areas. You can visit the magnificent Cynthia Falls from the Tarra Valley Picnic Ground and follow the beautiful Fern Tree Gully Nature Walk from the Bulga Picnic area.


Destinations within South East

Dandenongs
Phillip Island
Yarra Valley

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