News Latrobe City Picnic Spots
Grab your picnic rug and basket and discover some of Latrobe City’s best off-the-beaten-track picnic spots.
Located smack-bang in the middle of Gippsland, Latrobe City is enviously close to enchanting bushland, secret waterfalls, serene lakes and national parks teeming with wildlife (and the occasional orchid).
The vibrant regional centres of Traralgon and Morwell hum with activity, belying the area’s proximity to naturalistic beauty. In less than 30 clicks of the odometer, you can reach fragrant eucalypt forests, find tranquil lakes and dip through bushland walks at Morwell National Park.
Read on for some of Latrobe City’s best picnic spots... that only the locals know about!
Morwell River Falls
Tucked away in lush, native bush just south of Boolarra, Morwell River Falls is picnic-perfect. A short, 200m walk from the car park takes you to a wide pool below a large cascade. The path dips through the dappled sunlight of towering tree ferns and stately eucalypts, past a number of cascades alongside the tranquil Morwell River. Toe-dipping and rock-scrambling awaits at the end of the trail.
Dogs (on lead) are welcome.
Morwell National Park
Explore a place of forested gullies, peaceful picnic spots, native wildlife and elusive native orchids. The Morwell National Park is excellent walking country, with trails winding beneath towering mountain grey gums. Dogs are not allowed in national parks.
Kerry Road Picnic Area
Access the car park from Kerry Road to find this oasis of peace. There is a picnic table and a toilet under a peaceful bushland canopy. The area is the starting point for a number of walks, including family-favourite, Fosters Gully Nature Walk (2.3km loop), which winds through grey and blue gum forest.
Billys Creek Area
Park at the Junction Road Car Park where you can find picnic tables to set your feast upon. The Billys Creek Track (1.5km) follows the peaceful creek flats through largely revegetated bushland. An 800m extension down Weir Track takes you across a few footbridges over the creek to Billys Creek Weir. You’ll find a picnic table at the old weir, built in the early 1900s to supply water to Morwell.
Lake Hyland
This serene lake on the fringe of Churchill is practically begging to play host for your next picnic. Take a breezy walk along the well-maintained paths that circle the tranquil lake, teeming with birdlife. The fishing platforms dotted around the lake are magical spots to cast a line... hopefully the trout are biting!
By the lake’s edge is Mathison Park, where you’ll find a children’s playground, toilets and BBQ facilities. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Boolarra Railway Park / Centennial Park
Nestled in its bushland surrounds, Boolarra Railway Park is a leafy greenspace at the edge of the small town of Boolarra. There’s oodles of space here: a grassy reserve perfect for a game of cricket or to throw around the footy, a large children’s playground and undercover BBQs. The park is shaded by eucalypts and a few deciduous trees, showing off their golden and crimson splendour in autumn.
The park is the start/end point of the 13km Grand Ridge Rail Trail to Mirboo North, traversing steep embankments and impressive arch bridges which conquer the hilly countryside.
Dogs are welcome (on a lead) here.
Published on under: Nature & Outdoor