News 48 Hours Around Bruthen
Bruthen. Where the locals describe themselves as part high country, part bush, part lakeside, but 100% humble country goodness.
This pocket-sized town boasts galleries, vintage shops, a great pub, a rail trail and cluster of nearby wineries. It is also the stepping off point for one of Australia’s most epic road trips, the Great Alpine Road, which connects Victoria’s high country to the Gippsland Lakes.
Day 1
Morning
Caffeine up at Tambo Valley Honey, and perhaps grab a sweet treat for your travels. While you’re there, sample the range of honey and browse the bee-themed gift shop.
The best way to take in the town is on the Bruthen Town & River Walk which has you traversing the main street and looping back to your starting point, past the scenic Tambo River.
Start your amble from the Bruthen Art & Information Centre where you can pick up some local pointers, maps and browse the small gallery filled with local artisan delights. Outside, you can step back in time a century or two inside the Police Lockup and Fettlers Hut and immerse yourself in stories of robbery, murder, bushrangers, gold diggers and railway workers who did the tough yards.
Continue west down the main street, taking in Bruthen Village Maker and Gallery filled with art and gifts, then find treasure at Bruthen Bizarre, a miniature warehouse of retro-wares and collectibles. You’ll find plenty of homewares, crockery, clothing, rugs, books and small furniture items.
When you reach the end of the shops, take a hard left to follow the footpath toward the Tambo River. The peaceful riverside section weaves under gums and native bushes, past verdant hills and farmland back to your starting point.
Afternoon
When your stomach starts rumbling, return to Tambo Valley Honey for lunch. The menu has a range of paninis, all-day breakfast options and a specials board boasting more elaborate mains. If toasties are more your style, there is an enviable menu a few doors down at Bruthen Heritage Tea Rooms.
Drive the 14 minutes out of town to the Fairy Dell Walking Track (1.4km, 40 mins). Tucked into the Bruthen State Forest, this is a particularly scenic patch of rainforest, filled with moss-covered logs and giant tree ferns. The short loop is relatively easy with short sections of steps.
Evening
Dinner is at the classic country pub, Bruthen Inn Hotel, who know their way around a parma. Select from pizzas, steak, salt and pepper squid, schnitzel or fish of the day. The room at the back has views over the Tambo River flats.
Day 2
Morning
Start your day at the Bruthen Heritage Tea Rooms for fluffy scones and coffee or tea, then once you’re fuelled up, hit the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
Today’s popular cycling or walking track passes through the heart of Bruthen, following the former Bairnsdale to Orbost railway line. To the east you’ll pass through the Colquhoun Forest, or the west you’ll pass rich farmland. Around Mossiface, keep an eye out for the old Hop Kilns and maize cribs, remnants of the area’s once-flourishing hop and maize farming. If you are planning to walk a section of the trail, it’s worth driving around 10km out of Bruthen in either direction to your start point, which gets you to more picturesque sections of the trail.
Afternoon
Grab lunch to go from the Bruthen Bakery then spend an afternoon lazing by the gurgling Tambo River at a widening of the river at Ramrod Swimming Hole (Evans Track). This tranquil place is protected by hills spotted with gum trees and poplars. In warmer weather, it’s the perfect spot for a dip, or skimming stones from the wide and shallow rocky riverbank.
Around 15 minutes out of Bruthen in the Tambo Valley, there is a small clutch of wineries who have put the fertile land to good use. Pop into the cellar door at Tambo Winery for tastings or enjoy a glass in the shady patio. Sarsfield Estate is open for wine sales by appointment, or soak up some of the best views around from Nicholson River Winery.
Published on under: General News