News Seven Historic Wonders of Gippsland
Results are in. History buffs, you’re welcome.
Here’s the round up from a recent poll conducted by Gippsland History to determine once and for all the Seven Historic Wonders of Gippsland.
It’s no secret that Gippsland is rich in history. The region was home to one of the oldest known civilisations on Earth, the Aboriginal Australians, and discovering the area’s history is a journey through Dreamtime stories to white settlement. Gold mining, coal mining, farming, timber and high country cattlemen are all part of our story, resulting in a vibrant list of historical things to do in Gippsland.
Relish in Gippsland’s history with these historical wonders.
1. Walhalla Historic Area
Lovingly preserved from its once-upon-a-time gold mining era, this picture-perfect town is a joy to visit, oozing with 19th century charm.
Wander the main street and shopfronts to take in the Old Mountain Brass Band Rotunda, Corner Store, Fire Station and Post Office & Museum. Above the town sits the unique cliff-top Walhalla Cemetery, with more than 1,000 graves testament to the hardship of the past. Even the local Cricket Ground is not without its quirks - the top of the hill was lopped off in an effort to create level ground.
Take an underground adventure on a guided tour through the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine. Learn about the mining methods and see the quartz reef that put Walhalla on the world’s stock markets.
2. Bataluk Cultural Trail, East Gippsland
Take the 80,000 year old journey following in the tracks of the Gunaikurnai people. The Bataluk Cultural Trail follows traditional routes weaving through 11 sites of Aboriginal significance.
Wetlands that were like a supermarket, tales of beasts hiding in caves ready to gobble up children, fishermen who turned into rocks, scar trees and tragic massacres… this is a journey for the imagination, the heart and the soul, a story that belongs to all Gippslanders.
3. The Mountain Cattlemen’s huts
Follow the footsteps of the Men from Snowy River, with a trail of rustic huts dotted throughout the high country. These are the paths of cattlemen who drove their cattle up to the high plains for feeding over summer.
Maroka, Guy and Howitt Huts are part of the exciting 4WD routes through the Alpine National Park. Check out Wonnangatta Station Four Wheel Drive, Billy Goat Bluff Four Wheel Drive (from Licola) or Grant Crooked River Four Wheel Drive (from Dargo). These are also popular horseriding routes, so you can visit these huts from the saddle.
4. Port Albert Township and Gippsland Maritime Museum
Relish in the village-charm and soak up the timeless maritime air in Port Albert, one of Victoria’s first ports.
This seaside town, lavished with quaint heritage buildings, is a delight to potter around. Soak up the history on the Heritage Walk around the port, telling the story of the town’s 1850s boom when European, American and Chinese settlers arrived on ships to stake their claim in the gold fields further north.
The town’s centrepiece is the Port Albert Wharf, an idyllic spot to lap up the views across a shimmering ocean or enjoy fish and chips.
The Gippsland Maritime Museum houses relics of the town’s fishing fleets, the story of the Bass Coast lighthouses and a shell collection.
5. Noojee Trestle Bridge
The majestic Noojee Trestle Bridge sits along the meandering old railway line just out of Noojee.
Spotting the impressive structure on your travels will surely evoke an approving nod, with its towering height of 21 metres and length of 102 metres. It is supported by 19 timber beams jutting out of the earth. This well-preserved timber rail bridge is one of the only remaining historic timber trestle bridges of its kind in Victoria.
The base is the perfect place for a picnic, easily accessed by a gravel car park. The bridge is the starting point for a number of walking points and cycling tracks that carve through the towering forest, including the Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail.
6. Walhalla Goldfields Railway
The gold mining industry was in decline and many residents of Walhalla had moved away as the train line into Walhalla was completed in 1910. It was hoped that the Moe-Walhalla line would breathe new life into the town, however it was too little too late, with most of the (easily accessible) gold already extracted.
The train’s major use ironically ended up being the transportation of Walhalla’s houses and buildings into Melbourne and other parts of Gippsland.
The train runs today as a tourist railway, and offers a unique glimpse into the past, notably the unforgiving terrain that required significant engineering feats such as extended bridge sections crossing Stringers Creek.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway runs on select days between Walhalla and Thomson stations. The train station is every bit as delightful as you’d hope a station from the early 1900s might be. The restful journey takes you through the surrounding forest, alongside the cheerfully ambling Stringers Creek, over trestle bridges and the impressive Thomson River Bridge.
7. Swing Bridge, Sale
Marvel at the impressive wrought iron Swing Bridge, Australia’s first movable bridge built in 1883. This engineering feat allowed steamboats to continue their journey up the Latrobe River.
To see the bridge, take the 5km drive out of town, or trek along the Sale to Swing Bridge Walk. The best views are arguably from the river, and you can journey between Port of Sale and the Swing Bridge aboard a charming wooden boat with Port of Sale Heritage Cruises.
Published on under: Arts, Culture & Heritage