News Soak up the beauty of the Blue Pool

• Visit the historic Briagolong Hotel for a hearty feed, only fifteen minutes away. A beloved local institution, this is a classic cosy country pub.
• Also fifteen minutes away, the Farmers Arms Hotel in Newry is the perfect place for a crisp beer and tasty roast dinner.
• Wander through the charming village of Maffra, where you can pop into the Sugar Beet Museum for some local history, rev your engine at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection or indulge in some retail therapy at the boutique stores. Explore the street art trail in Briagolong, where you can stare in wonder at the colourful and creative murals that adorn many of the buildings in town, from farm landscapes to fantastical creature features.
• Hop on your bike and travel the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (Stratford –Traralgon), where you can take in mountain vistas and wind through warm country villages.
• Don’t forget the local wine and beer trail. Visit the beer-slinging folks at Maffco Brewery for pale ales and lagers or enjoy a glass of wine with a view at Vines on Avon. Sitting high on a hill, Blue Gables experiences such cold temperatures that their wines end up extra delicious and crisp, while Mt Moornapa offers tastings in their underground cellar for an atmospheric experience.

Departing from Melbourne, start your day with a scenic drive through bucolic fields to The Long Paddock in Lindenow. Enjoy a paddock-to-plate lunch made from the best seasonal Gippsland produce – think freshly baked scones with homemade jam, or fresh melon with prosciutto and pickled watermelon rind.

After lunch, continue your journey on to the spectacular Den of Nargun Loop Walk, a place of ancient trees and looming ridgelines. Pack a picnic and take a short hike up to Bluff Lookout for sweeping views of the Mitchell River Gorge. In the evening, set up camp at Echo Bend Caravan Park, surrounded by bushland and birdlife for a peaceful overnight stay.

In the morning, head off towards Blue Pool. Make sure you pack lunch and plenty of snacks, because this is a secluded paradise, and you won’t want to leave to visit the nearest café for refreshments.

Spend the day floating across the water in a lilo or inflatable donut, listening to the birds and the sound of the water beneath you. Go for a walk along the Peregrine Lookout Trail for unmatched views of the surrounding forest.

At the end of the day, head to the Briagolong Pub for a hearty country pub meal. If you’re into camping under the stars, return to Blue Pool or one of the other free campsites on the Freestone Creek Camping Precinct. Otherwise, keep driving on to Stratford and stay in a quaint B&B or country motel.

Start the day right with a coffee from one of Stratford’s charming cafes, then head towards Maffra. Stop at Maffco Brewery for a decadent lunch and freshly poured beer. The Maffco menu changes regularly, but here’s a taste: baked camembert, pork belly, maple leaf burgers. Scrumptious.

Next, visit the Gippsland Vehicle Collection, where you can step back in time through the history of cars and other vehicles. Fuel up with a coffee and snack at one of Maffra’s cafes, then it’s time to hit the road again. Drive down to Lake Glenmaggie, where you can take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore or go cross-country cycling at Blores Hill.

After enjoying the lake, head to Heyfield, where you can go birdwatching at the local wetlands (if you have any energy left). End your evening at the Railway Hotel Heyfield, with a classic pub grub meal and a comfy bed. You’ve earned it.