Close to the lakes, rivers, mountains and
forests, Bairnsdale is blessed with pleasant,
wide streets and award winning gardens.
It's a relaxed place where visitors are shown
old time country friendliness and courtesy.
It’s ideally located to restock your supplies,
however if you’re travelling this route that
may not be necessary.West Gippsland
is known as ‘Gourmet Deli Country' because
of its fine local delicacies such as smoked
trout, farm cheeses and honeys.With the clean
and green image, here you can pick your own
fruit, taste speciality cheeses, catch your own
fish, sample smoked meats and luscious berry
ice creams and many wonderful, fresh organic jams, chutneys and preserves, all washed down with high quality locally produced wines.
Take the unique tourist road meandering along the top of the Strzelecki ridge to provide spectacular views south to the Ninety Mile Beach and Wilsons Promontory and north across the Latrobe Valley and extending over
the Warragul plateau area to the Great Dividing Range and Mount Baw Baw. As it snakes through a scenic pathway and patches of dense forest along the high ridges, it passes through many of the prettiest towns and villages that can't be seen from the major highway routes.

Once one of Australia’s richest towns,Walhalla was home to over 3,500 people following the discovery of gold in 1863. Although life in Walhalla may have been tough, the lure of gold made this mountain outpost a vibrant
and proud place, with 10 hotels, 7 churches, several dance halls and more than 30 shops. The residents now number around 20 and keep the spirit and memories of Walhalla alive. During most of the 20th century Walhalla was virtually
frozen in time; electricity was only connected in 1998. After nearly becoming a ghost town, its buildings and services have been lovingly restored to offer historic attractions and a range of accommodation, tours, shops and eateries.

Take a detour via Mirboo North, home of the popular Grand Ridge Brewery and at the centre of an extensive dairying, beef cattle and sheep area. Alternatively continue on the Princes Highway via Yarragon, a bustling village
full to bursting with the unique and the unusual, the delicious and the delightful, from sweet shops, antiques and collectables to contemporary galleries.

Warragul and Drouin are dairying centres and are surrounded by a patchwork of farmers’ fields, emerald green hills and dales. Travelling the web of back roads in the region, including the Old Sale Road, is a scenic indulgence before joining the freeway and the completing your journey into Melbourne.