News Views for days at Petersons Lookout

• Visit the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (Traralgon) for a riveting events program – whether that’s musical theatre, comedy or live music.

• Head to the Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve for a serene walk through green wetlands.

• Hop on your bike and take on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, winding through idyllic countryside from Stratford to Traralgon.

• Travel into the foothills of the Great Dividing Range to stop in at Narkoojee Winery (Glengarry North) and sample some world-class wines.

• Sit amongst the tanks at Good Land Brewery (Traralgon) while you sip on a cold beer made on the premises.

• Enjoy mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres and charcuterie at Neilson’s Kitchen in Traralgon.

• If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre, where they can slide down water slides and splash in the pool.

• For a unique experience, visit the Maltese Museum in Morwell, the only museum in Australia dedicated to the Maltese diaspora.

Hit the road from Melbourne, timing your departure for lunch in Morwell. Stop in at The Daily for scrumptious sandwiches, Oreo lattes and decadent cakes. Visit the Latrobe Regional Gallery for your daily art fix – this flagship gallery has fascinating art exhibitions. Follow this up with a walk through the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden – visit in spring to see these blooms in a kaleidoscopic of colour.

Continue on to Traralgon, where you can devour dinner at Stellina’s. This Italian eatery offers such delights as fritto misto, potato gnocchi alla norma and tiramisu. After an indulgent meal, roll into bed at the local Mantra Hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Start the day right with a hearty breakfast at Food Co. On Franklin – you will need your energy for the day ahead. From here, drive to Petersons Lookout, making sure to stop at the roadside viewpoint en route for the full experience. Enjoy the winding river and the dense bushland, keeping an eye out for koalas and birds in the treetops.

After you’ve finished exploring, head to Narkoojee Winery for lunch. Sip some wine while digging into delicious dishes like Thai beef salad or pumpkin shell pasta. After lunch, digest your meal by going for a walk or a bike ride along a section of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail. The Glengarry leg of the trail will take you over Eaglehawk Creek.

Before dinner, pop into Good Land Brewery for a fresh pale ale. Enjoy dinner on the rooftop of MOMO Restaurant, with a menu of classic bar favourites featuring local produce. Finish the evening with a show at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, before crashing at the Mantra for a well-deserved rest.

Tuck into a breakfast of hotcakes and fresh coffee at Store Sixty One Café before driving to the Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve. Here you can wander through wetlands and grasslands, keeping an eye out for native birds and local wildlife along the way. Afterwards, visit the historic Traralgon Courthouse – this heritage-listed building is a beautiful example of Queen Anne Revival architecture. Afterwards, fuel up with lunch at Finch Café, where you can devour a club sandwich and a side of arancini.

Finish the day with a wander through Maltese Museum in Morwell, where you can explore a treasure trove of miniature replicas and costumes of the Maltese diaspora. This is the perfect way to end three days of history, culture and nature, before heading back to Melbourne.