5 Gourmet Hotspots In Gippsland - Australian Traveller

South Gippsland, which stretches from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to Wilsons Promontory, is gorgeous, green and a gastronomic delight.

It’s early summer when I take a road trip to explore the gourmet offerings of Victoria’s South Gippsland region and my adventure quickly proves fruitful. I’m seduced by signs urging me towards a rest area just minutes after I’ve turned onto the South Gippsland Highway.

There, I find a farmer selling cherries, boxes of almost-ripe mangoes, plump stone fruit and sweet strawberries. I load up my basket with snacks for the road and head for Inverloch.

1. Waratah Hills Vineyard

We use Tarwin Lower as a base to explore South Gippsland. Our first stop is Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek, a 16-hectare property with a cellar door and restaurant.

Aerial shot of Waratah Hills Vineyard — Waratah Hills Vineyard has a cellar door and restaurant.

This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and the vines are planted dense and low in the French style. Renowned local Marcus Satchell is the winemaker and his light touch is evident in the Prom Road and Waratah Hills labels.

Glass of sparkling at Waratah Hills Vineyard in Gippsland — This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing chardonnay grapes.

Here, guests are encouraged to play pétanque and have a pinot noir (or blanc de noir) with vineyard views. Kids can tumble on the grass while adults enjoy a pizza in the casual outdoor eatery or an indulgent cheese platter in the restaurant.

Outdoor area of Waratah Hills Vineyard — While away the hours at Waratah Hills Vineyard.

2. Gurneys Cider

Next we visit Gurneys Cidery , home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. Named The Arches, the structure was purchased from the former Hazlewood coal mine and repurposed as a cellar. Inside, gentle music floats around the dimly lit room.

Gurneys Cidery exterior in Gippsland — Gurneys Cidery is home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Our guide tells us about Dr Matsuro Emoto’s water experiment, which theorised that the molecular structure of water is shaped by its environment, particularly human thoughts, emotions and intentions.

Just like some people talk to plants to help them grow, music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. The tasting flight convinces me of the experiment’s validity.

Gurneys Cidery cider and cheeseboard in Gippsland. — Music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Gurnett family moved to Australia in 2001 from England and, missing their beloved cider, started foraging for apples and making cider with second-hand juicers. They purchased this property and planted over three hectares of heritage apple varieties, then built the restaurant and a home with views of rolling hills.

Gurneys Cidery couple with dog in Gippsland — Bring your dog along. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Moo’s at Meeniyan

Gnocchi is the favourite dish at Moo’s at Meeniyan according to owner Marty Thomas. The potato pasta is made by Meeniyan local Francesco Laera, who runs Trulli , the Italian restaurant in town. The carbonara sauce, elevated with mushrooms from nearby fungi farm and accommodation Wattle Bank Farm and Gippsland chardonnay cream sauce with local bacon, is rich and deeply satisfying.

Table outside Moo’s at Meeniyan in Gippsland — Sit outside and devour some gnocchi at Moo’s at Meeniyan. (Image: Sarah Paynter)

Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. Have coffee, a salad of roasted cauliflower, black rice, chickpea, cranberry, rocket and goat’s cheese or a small plate of shrimp spring rolls.

Exterior of Moo’s at Meeniyan in Gippsland — Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. (Image: Sarah Paynter)

4. Fleet Wines

Lisa and Justin Jenkins opened their Korumburra cellar door in November 2023. Designed as a place for their punters to enjoy wine, this long-term hospitality couple want their land to be in good shape for future generations.

Fleet Wines exterior in Gippsland — Fleet Wines was designed so the land will be in good shape for future generations. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

They are regenerating the soil at Fleet Wines and putting their heart and soul into creating deep connections with their neighbours, the land and the wildlife that lives upon it.

Fleet Wines glasses for wine tasting in Gippsland — A wine tasting for good. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

The couple are also busy planting native species to replenish the earth where their vines will grow. They’ve planted 8000 trees on their property since 2019.

“We like to make wines we’d like to drink, and we like to drink things that have energy and light and a sense of refreshment to them," Lisa says.

Group of friends having a wine tasting at Fleet Wines in Gippsland — Drop in for a tasting at Fleet Wines. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)

5. River Drive Motel

Our headlights illuminate a koala nonchalantly crossing the road on our drive back to River Drive Motel . We pull over, feeling both exhilarated and concerned, to ensure the koala’s safe passage and watch it disappear into the darkness.

Exterior of River Drive Motel — Delight in retro revival at River Drive Motel. (Image: Albert Comper)

Each of the five rooms at the boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink and are flush with luxe elements.

Interior of room at River Drive Motel in Gippsland — The rooms are flush with luxe elements. (Image: Albert Comper)

I’m in The Snug, a double with a bathroom (including a bath) and kitchenette. The minibar is filled with local artisanal goods such as the A.R.C. Baw Baw White wine, gin from Loch Brewery & Distillery and Chappy’s Chips .

Exterior of room at River Drive Motel in Gippsland — The boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink. (Image: Albert Comper)

A garden shed has lawn games, deck chairs, beach towels and sunscreen. Guests can gather around the fire pit seated on tree stumps, arranged for this purpose, or cook a barbecue in the tranquil, expansive garden.

Picnic tables outside at River Drive Motel in Gippsland — Dine in the tranquil, expansive garden. (Image: Albert Comper)

I’ve ordered croissants and muesli from Acacia Edibles for breakfast in the morning. I eat by the water at a 35-metre-long picnic table that has been crafted and curved to represent the flow of the Tarwin River. I then wander, absorbing the serenity, bowl in hand, along the water’s edge, taking photos of the bottlebrushes, birds and intricate patterns on the bark of the eucalyptus trees.

Welcome gift at River Drive Motel in Gippsland — The motel supplies a welcome basket full of goodies. (Image: Albert Comper)

There’s plenty to do and see on a gastronomic journey around South Gippsland. This weekend was like a tasting plate of what the region has to offer. If only I could pack the whole gorgeous place into a picnic basket to take home.

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim , ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas.

eel tank — The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Dumawul walkingtour — Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance. The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.

Kooyoora walking tour — Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Kingfisher Cruises

Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises . Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.

wawa biik

Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik.

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.

Healesville Sanctuary

Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm.

The Grampians

Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.

6 gourmet hotspots in Gippsland

South Gippsland, which stretches from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to Wilsons Promontory, is gorgeous, green and a gastronomic delight.

1. Waratah Hills Vineyard

2. Gurneys Cider

3. Moo’s at Meeniyan

4. Fleet Wines

5. River Drive Motel

There’s plenty to do and see on a gastronomic journey around South Gippsland. This weekend was like a tasting plate of what the region has to offer. If only I could pack the whole gorgeous place into a picnic basket to take home.

From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

Victoria’s dream coastal road trip: Melbourne to Lakes Entrance

The ultimate guide to Wilsons Promontory National Park

Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

South Gippsland, which stretches from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to Wilsons Promontory, is gorgeous, green and a gastronomic delight.

1. Waratah Hills Vineyard

2. Gurneys Cider

3. Moo’s at Meeniyan

4. Fleet Wines

5. River Drive Motel

There’s plenty to do and see on a gastronomic journey around South Gippsland. This weekend was like a tasting plate of what the region has to offer. If only I could pack the whole gorgeous place into a picnic basket to take home.

From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

Victoria’s dream coastal road trip: Melbourne to Lakes Entrance

The ultimate guide to Wilsons Promontory National Park

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.