Day Trips & Discoveries Around West Gippsland
West Gippsland is made for exploring. From winding country roads and spectacular mountain views to charming country towns, walking trails and local food experiences, there is plenty to discover beyond the main highway.
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Make Thorpdale and the Travellers Rest Hotel part of your Gippsland adventure. Stop in for a country pub lunch, explore our onsite Travellers Distillery, or stay overnight and take your time discovering the region.
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Whether you're planning a scenic drive, a weekend getaway or a day out with friends, there's always a reason to take the turn to Thorpdale.
A Country Drive Through West Gippsland
Yarragon, Trafalgar, Thorpdale & Mirboo North
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Take the scenic route through the heart of West Gippsland, where rolling green hills, country towns and local food experiences make for a wonderful day out.
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Start in Yarragon
Explore the village shops, galleries and cafés along the main street. Yarragon is a lovely first stop for a coffee and a wander.
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Take the M1 to Trafalgar
Trafalgar is home to the Holden Museum which is well worth a visit.
Turn onto the road to Thorpdale
Travel through the picturesque Gippsland countryside into potato-growing country. Thorpdale is a small country town with a proud agricultural heritage and a welcoming community.
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Stop at the Travellers Rest Hotel
Enjoy lunch, a drink in the beer garden or discover the Travellers Distillery downstairs. The TRH is a great place to pause and enjoy the character of a traditional country pub. While in Thorpdale visit the Bakery, the General Store and perhaps even venture over for a beer tasting as Mad Hopper Brewery in Narracan.
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Continue to Mirboo North
Stop off for a walk at the Lyrebird walking track on the way. Explore the town with its newly opened pub and bar 'the grand ridge project', enjoy its cafés and discover the surrounding Strzelecki Ranges. If time allows, take a walk on the rail trail.
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Make a day of it
Allow time for the scenic drive itself. The roads through West Gippsland are part of the experience, with beautiful countryside and plenty of opportunities to stop along the way.
Walking, Waterfalls & The Strzelecki Ranges
Discover the Natural Beauty of West Gippsland
West Gippsland is home to beautiful forests, waterfalls and walking tracks. It's a wonderful region to explore at a slower pace.
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Narracan Falls
Near Thorpdale and Trafalgar, Narracan Falls is a lovely spot to stop for a short nature visit or picnic. A short path leads towards the waterfall from the reserve. The surrounding countryside makes the drive part of the experience.
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Mount Worth State Park
Explore the lush Mountain Ash forest, tree-fern gullies and walking tracks of the Strzelecki Ranges. The Giants Circuit is a 1.8km walk through forest and fern-filled gullies, with the impressive Standing Giant tree along the way.
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Mirboo North & Lyrebird Forest Walk
Make your way to Mirboo North and enjoy the town's country atmosphere, local cafés and nearby forest walking opportunities.
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A scenic drive through the hills
Take time to enjoy the winding roads, rolling farmland and changing landscapes of West Gippsland. Pack your camera and allow plenty of time for stops.
Cycling & Rail Trails in West Gippsland
West Gippsland is a wonderful region to explore on two wheels, with rail trails winding through farmland, forest and picturesque country towns.
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Grand Ridge Rail Trail — Mirboo North to Boolarra
The Grand Ridge Rail Trail is a 13km trail through the beautiful Strzelecki Ranges, connecting Mirboo North and Boolarra. Following a former railway line, the trail passes through eucalypt forest, rolling countryside and historic railway features.
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The trail is suitable for cycling and walking, with a compacted gravel surface. Darlimurla provides a midway access point, making it possible to enjoy a shorter section of the trail.
After your ride, make your way to Thorpdale and the Travellers Rest Hotel for a well-earned country pub lunch or a relaxing drink.
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A cycling getaway
Combine a day on the rail trail or a ride through the beautiful country roads of the region with an overnight stay in West Gippsland. Explore Mirboo North and Boolarra, enjoy the scenery of the Strzelecki Ranges and finish your day in Thorpdale.
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The Travellers Rest Hotel offers a welcoming country pub experience and upstairs accommodation for visitors wanting to take their time discovering the region.
Make It a West Gippsland Weekend
A Two-Day Country Escape
Day One — Discover the towns
Start your weekend exploring Yarragon and Trafalgar, with time for local shops, cafés and attractions. Continue through the countryside to Thorpdale and enjoy lunch or dinner at the Travellers Rest Hotel.
Discover the Travellers Distillery, enjoy a drink in the beer garden or settle in for a relaxed country pub evening.
Stay overnight in the TRH's upstairs accommodation.
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Day Two — Explore the outdoors
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Enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore the Strzelecki Ranges. Take a walk at Mount Worth State Park, visit Mirboo North, Korumburra or even Leongatha or enjoy a scenic country drive.
Finish your Gippsland getaway with a relaxed lunch and a few more local discoveries before heading home.
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West Gippsland is full of surprises. Sometimes the best experiences are found just a little off the beaten track.
Explore Further - Thorpdale as your Gippsland Base
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The Travellers Rest Hotel is more than a country pub stop. Thorpdale is a wonderful place to begin exploring the diverse landscapes and experiences of Gippsland.
Stay a night or two, enjoy the hospitality of a traditional country pub and discover the region at your own pace.
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East Gippsland & The Gippsland Lakes
Heading east towards the Gippsland Lakes? Make Thorpdale part of your journey.
Explore the waterfront village of Metung, discover the lakeside towns and enjoy the beautiful scenery of East Gippsland. Break up your journey with a country pub meal, a visit to the Travellers Distillery or an overnight stay in Thorpdale.
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South Gippsland & The Great Southern Rail Trail
South Gippsland offers another wonderful adventure.
Visit Meeniyan, a charming country town and popular access point for the Great Southern Rail Trail. Hire a bike or e-bike and explore the trail through the surrounding countryside. Enjoy the local cafés and shops before continuing your Gippsland journey.
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Make Thorpdale Part of Your Journey
Whether you're travelling towards the Gippsland Lakes, exploring South Gippsland or enjoying a West Gippsland weekend, the Travellers Rest Hotel offers a welcoming country stop along the way.
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Take the turn to Thorpdale. You might discover more than you expected.