136km | 2:18 hours | Nyora – Port Welshpool. Take a drive through the iconic South Gippsland hills, where bucolic countryside brims with warm villages.
This drive follows the legendary d on its journey through lush rolling hills, with views towards Wilsons Promontory, ending at the lovely coastal hamlet of Port Welshpool. Delightful villages punctuate the road trip, bursting with warm kitchens, galleries, markets and gift stores.
Leg 1: Nyora – Korumburra Via Loch
30km | 25 mins
Make your way from Nyora through beautiful countryside surrounding hilly Poowong. Take a leg-stretch at the Poowong Sculpture Park and admire views from the lookout, a horizon full of hills. The Poowong Hotel excels in country-pub-vibes and has regular live music.
Head to Loch for your next dose of country charm, a village bursting with cafes, gifts and collectables, plus its very own brewery and distillery. Just before reaching the town centre, take a wander around the Loch Memorial Reserve to the Loch Suspension Bridge, gracefully crossing Allsop Creek in a leafy gully.
Next stop is Korumburra, boasting warm cafes, and its very own brewery, Burra Brewery. The sunny courtyard is a great place to sample the ales and enjoy a woodfired pizza.
Work off lunch with a stroll around the town’s shops, from vintage clothing to body products, books and records. Or take a peek into yesteryear at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum which recreates the time of settlement and the area’s coal mining history.
Leg 1 Highlights
Leg 2: Korumburra - Meeniyan
31km | 27 mins
Ten minutes down the road is the blink-and-you'll-miss-it town of Koonwarra. Champions of organic living and the slow-food movement, here you’ll find wholesome and organic foods from cafes, providores and a monthly farmers market.
Venture on to Meeniyan, bursting with exceptional eats. Stock up on artisan breads and flaky pastries from Pandesal, enjoy a Campbion-inspired brunch on the inviting deck at Mahob at Moos, tuck into pub favourites at the Meeniyan Hotel or indulge in the best pizza this side of Naples at Trulli Outdoor.
If you haven’t brought your own bikes, drop into Great Southern Ride to grab your trusty ride (e-bike or pedal power) then set off on the Great Southern Rail Trail. You can also hire bikes from Meeniyan Bike Hire and set out on the rail trail (just next to the beautiful community gardens).
Potter around the main street and stumble across delights such as jewellery, gifts, boutique clothing, delicatessens and the Meeniyan Art Gallery. For an adrenaline rush, head to Stony Creek Go Karts.
Leg 2 Highlights
Leg 3: Meeniyan - Foster
Via Fish Creek
31km | 26 mins
Next, head to the artistic township of Fish Creek. There are more galleries here than you can poke a stick at. Throw in some artisan delights at The Handmaker’s Store, a couple of delis and the bookstore of celebrated children’s author Alison Lester, and you’ve got a town that’s made for browsing in wonder.
Enjoy a bite of deli style selections at Little Oberon Café, or head to the iconic art deco Fish Creek Hotel for solid pub meals. The Hoddle Mountain Trail is an excellent choice for working off lunch, rewarding with views towards the ocean.
Admire the exquisite panoramas on the drive to Foster, best enjoyed with a cider in hand from Gurneys Cider. The modern cellar door is an ambient place to enjoy the crisp cider or an antipasto platter.
Foster is bursting with cafes, a number of galleries and leafy green park spaces like the Foster Flora Reserve. Mountain-biking enthusiasts can head to Whipstick Gully Trails for the network of blue-rated mountain trails on the edge of town.
Leg 3 Highlights
Leg 4: Foster - Port Welshpool
44km | 44 mins
Nip off the South Gippsland Highway to Port Franklin, a sleepy fishing village where you can take in the Port Franklin Boardwalk to explore the wetlands around the Franklin River.
The heritage town of Toora hugs the South Gippsland coastline, nestled into the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges. Pop in Mauzie’s Most Fabulous Vintage for vintage clothing and accessories, including wedding and debutante dresses or delight in a most beautifully curated selection of gifts and homewares at The Panton Store.
Toora is home to internationally significant wetlands. An easy walk from the football oval gets you to the Toora Bird Hide where royal spoonbills, heron, egrets and pelicans can be spotted.
Snake your way through the hills above town to arrive at the very beautiful Agnes Falls, tucked away in a scenic bushland reserve. The nearly 60m drop makes an impressive cascade, especially after heavy rains and is a fabulous spot to take a picnic.
If you're in need of a leg-stretch, take a break in Welshpool at the Memorial Park or pop in to The Olive Branch Prom Country for delicious coffee and cake, plus all your vintage and retro needs.
Your final destination is Port Welshpool, a protected beach with shallow waters, making it a favourite for families. The centrepiece of town is the historical Port Welshpool Long Jetty. Port Welshpool is a lively fishing town and commercial port, with trawlers moored along the wharf bringing in the day’s catch.
