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The longest silt jetties in the Southern Hemisphere are tucked away in Gippsland

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
The longest silt jetties in the Southern Hemisphere are hidden in Victoria.

A silt jetty isn’t something you hear of every day, but it’s a striking sight to behold. Stretching out into the distance – just like long, thin, natural jetties – these finger-like formations are rare to find around the world. Yet, Australia not only has them, tucked away into a quiet part of Victoria, but the Mitchell River silt jetties happen to be the second largest silt jetties in the entire world, and the longest in the Southern Hemisphere.

How to find the Mitchell River silt jetties

sunset over Mitchell River silt jetties in gippsland
Catch the jetties under beautiful sunset colours. (Credit: Visit Vic)

One of the quiet, wild places left in this country, the Mitchell River silt jetties stretch over eight kilometres along the Mitchel River in Victoria’s Gippsland, towards the northeastern shores of Jones Bay. Drive about 3.5 hours from Melbourne to Eagle Point, where the silt jetties begin.

Once here, drive along the gravel road that stretches along the jetties themselves. Not only are there gorgeous water views of the river on one side and the lake on the other to enjoy, but it’s so close to water level that it almost feels like you’re driving on the lake itself. Of course, that does mean that this road can be very narrow in places, so drive cautiously. Or, park the car and go for a walk along a section of the road instead.

For an extra dramatic viewing, time the visit for early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the sight in golden hour.

How were the Mitchell River silt jetties formed?

boat pulled up in Mitchell River silt jetties in gippsland
Get up close to this thriving wetland.

They create a striking feature along the horizon these days, but it took thousands of years for the Mitchell River’s silt jetties to become what they are. River currents carried fine silt, sand and clay into this calm, low-tidal body of water, where freshwater meets the salt, depositing the minerals along the banks until these long, narrow protruding landforms slowly built up.

The result? A thriving wetland, teeming with birdlife above and fish life below – in fact, if you stay for long enough, you’ll almost certainly see a fish jumping.

What else to see in Gippsland

Mitchell River silt jetties in gippsland
Drive along the jetties, then explore more of Gippsland.

While the Mitchell River silt jetties can certainly be enjoyed on a day trip from Melbourne, it would be a shame to miss out on the surrounding Gippsland delights.

If you want to stretch your legs, this part of Victoria delivers. From coastal to mountains, put some of our favourite Gippsland hikes on your list. And treat yourself to some of the tastiest local eateries. And, of course, turn a day trip into a memorable weekend at these holiday spots,

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

    Michael TurtleBy Michael Turtle
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    Mythical, historical and most of all, spectacularly beautiful, Buchan Caves demands you take your time – and a tour. 

    In the pools of water, so still they could be mirrors, the reflections of the stalactites make these limestone towers seem even taller. Almost 400 million years ago, an underground river carved through the rock to create the Buchan Caves . Now, artworks created by dripping water adorn these subterranean galleries: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, pillars connecting some to the ground, even curtain-like wave formations clinging to the stone.

    Caves House
    Visit the caves for the day or stay onsite in the campground or at the self-contained Caves House. (Image: Ben Savage)

    “This is called the Fairy Cave because it’s full of fairy dust,” a guide tells visitors as they enter a cavern glittering with “calcite that’s solidified into thousands of tiny little diamond shapes”.  Buchan Caves is Victoria’s largest cave system, but Fairy Cave is a highlight and, along with nearby Royal Cave, is accessible only by tour. Naturally cold, naturally dark, these caverns deep below the surface light up as the local experts tell their stories. 

    couple walking in cave
    You’ll need to book a guided tour to see the caves. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the hundreds of caves, some can be easily accessed from the surface. For instance, a casual stroll along the FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk, as kangaroos watch on from beneath acacia trees, leads into the 400-metre-long Federal Cave and its natural steps of white limestone. A slightly longer track, the Granite Pools Walk heads through soaring forest down into moss-covered gullies where the calls of lyrebirds trill through the leaves. 

    A quick history lesson on Buchan Caves 

    Buchan Caves
    Buchan Caves are a must-visit attraction in Gippsland. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the geology and the nature are millennia of history. This part of East Gippsland connects the high country to the coast and was long a place of refuge for the local Gunaikurnai people on seasonal migrations to the mountains. Archaeological studies show humans lived here up to 18,000 years ago, with artefacts such as small stone tools found around the site. But not too far into the caverns – oh no! The Gunaikurnai didn’t dare venture deep into the dark at Buchan Caves, telling stories they were inhabited by gnome-like nyols (small grey-skinned creatures that could steal memories). 

    Buchan Caves Hotel
    The Buchan Caves Hotel was rebuilt after burning down in 2014. (Image: Jess Shapiro)

    By the early 1900s, more people had started to hear about these incredible caves and so the Moon family set up home at the site and started to run tours below ground for intrepid visitors. More than a century later, their historic residence is available as accommodation, with the three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people and now equipped with modern amenities the Moons could only have dreamt of. 

    But whether you stay overnight or just spend the day here, it’s worth taking your time to explore more than just the main caves, to get a deeper understanding of one of Victoria’s fascinating geological attractions.