Where to eat on Phillip Island by 507@The Waves

inspiredbygippsland.com.au #eatdrinkgippsland #visitgippsland

WELCOME TO GIPPSLAND Gippsland is one of the most magniﬁcent places on Earth. From the seemingly endless, golden sands of Ninety Mile Beach to the snow-capped peaks of the Victorian Alps; from the pounding waters of Bass Strait to the tranquil ﬂow of the rivers – which can turn into mighty torrents – the power and the beauty of the Gippsland landscape escapes no one. On this rich and rugged coastline and its fertile plains that run to the hills is grown, harvested, produced and caught some of the best produce on the planet. Gippsland’s temperate climate and reliable rainfall continues to see some of the best winemakers in the nation calling Gippsland home. Add to the mix the region’s brewers and distillers, and the picture emerges of a land dotted with cellar doors, farm gates and excellent farmers markets. The call of this stunning country has been too hard to ignore for many top chefs, who have opened restaurants, cafes and seasonal events in Gippsland’s seaside towns, rural centres and hidden away hamlets. Here they use the bounty of the season to make dishes to nurture, nourish, delight and impress.

French inspired food and wine made by hand from the ground up. Premium single vineyard cool climate wines by Pat & Kirsten Hardiker. French leaning menu by Michelin trained Chef Philippe Desrettes celebrating Gippsland produce. EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Open 7 days, 11-5.

Take your time, explore this guide, ﬁnd your destination and do your best to lose yourself in this magic countryside while trying the best that Gippsland has to offer.

Full lunch service 12 - 2:30 p: (03) 5942 8380 m: 0438 518 506 e: wine@cannibalcreek.com.au www.cannibalcreek.com.au

Richard Cornish FOOD WRITER & AUTHOR

CONTENTS E AT. D R I N K .

E R OAD

To Sydney

Melbourne

Walhalla

West

Gippsland Lakes

C466 PR I N C

Moe

Phillip Island

San Remo

A440

Korumburra Leongatha

Mirboo North

ile

Central

B460 Tarra-Bulga National Park SO

Meeniyan Wonthaggi

Sale

Cowes

Loch

Traralgon

Yarragon Morwell

A420

Y HW

Metung Lakes Entrance

Warragul AND HW

Paynesville

Mallacoota

TH SL

Stratford

C466

Tynong IPP

Orbost

GIP

SOU

Nowa Bruthen Nowa

Bairnsdale

Mt Baw Baw Dandenong

East

Inverloch

Foster

South

Port Albert

C444

Wilsons Promontory National Park

DRINK.

EAT. 04.

FARM GATES OF GIPPSLAND

20.

EAT WEST GIPPSLAND

97.

10.

GIPPSLAND’S FARMERS MARKETS

34.

EAT PHILLIP ISLAND

102. DRINK PHILLIP ISLAND

15.

GIPPSLAND’S COOKING SCHOOLS + FOOD TOURS

38.

EAT SOUTH GIPPSLAND

105. DRINK SOUTH GIPPSLAND

62.

EAT CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

118. DRINK CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

80.

EAT EAST GIPPSLAND

125. DRINK EAST GIPPSLAND

Our thanks to Phoebe Honey, Jess Shapiro and Linsey Rendell who provided many images found within this guide and to our Graphic Designer, Kate Britton. EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

DRINK WEST GIPPSLAND

First Edition Published June 2018 Printed on FSC Certiﬁed paper, PEFC compliant and using vegetable based inks. Destination Gippsland Ltd (destinationgippsland.com.au) including its ofﬁcers, agents and contractors, has made every endeavour to ensure that the details appearing in this publication are correct at the time of printing, but accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy or mis-description, whether by inclusion or omission. The Publisher does not accept responsibility for subsequent change or withdrawal of details and services.

FARM GATES OF GIPPSLAND Happy hens. The freshest seafood. Cheese to die for. Fruit and veggies so crisp, they will make you weep with joy.

Slow down, sample and savour produce from the land you’re standing on. Dotted across the stunning countryside are farm shops, rustic sheds and the dearest little roadside stands. Fruit and veggies are a Gippsland specialty. Fill your bucket and your belly with scrumptious, juicy berries over the summer months. The little green shed at Thorpdale Organics (Thorpdale) and the old dairy EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

at I Love Farms (Delburn) are bursting with seasonal freshness. Orchard-fresh apples and cherries from Picnic Point Farm (Bairnsdale) are simply unbeatable. Sometimes the farm gate is the gateway to the sea, where ﬁshmongers specialise in fresh, locally caught seafood from Gippsland’s vast coastline. Hear the satisfying clink of coins landing in an honesty box at WillowZen Free Range Eggs

(Trafalgar) for their hen-laid eggs available in sumo size, or Snowy River Corn’s (Orbost) ﬂavoursome, golden ears. Stock up on some country calm at Blue Tree Honey Farm (Dumbalk) where there are plenty of delights to take away. Marlo is abuzz with talk of honey from the Sweet Little Honey Shop, which, true to its name, is the sweetest and arguably tiniest - farm shop. 5.

YEAR ROUND FARM GATES

Tongio Tongio

21 25

Eggs 1 Bimbadeen Phillip Island 5 Freeranger Eggs* 15 WillowZen Free Range Eggs*

Bruthen Melbourne

Mt Baw Baw

103

Walhalla

23 Wilbert’s Veggies & Cackleberries I PP SL AND

1 Bimbadeen Phillip Island

8 1 HW Y

6 7

12 Blue Tree Honey Farm 29 Sweet Little Honey Shop ^

Fish + Seafood 2 Bass Strait Direct 3 San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op

Grantville Cowes San 2 Cowes 13 1 1 Remo 22 12

116

15 14

4 5 2San 2Remo 815 3 Wonthaggi

Sale

Warragul

3 166 5 9 10 221 11 44 1710 Loch Mirboo North 37 6 Mirboo 15 1 North 9 Korumburra Korumburra r 12 2 17

Inverloch

1 19 13

Fish

Fish 20 2 Creek Creek

29 Lakes Entrance

Metung

Marlo Marlo

28 7 26 66 7 27

22 23

WY ES H PR I N C

Moe

6 1010 93 5 5

Traralgon

HW H WY Y

H GG UTTH OU SSO

Honey

Noojee Noojee

8 4 Bairnsdale Bairnsdale

Orbost

ile M ty ni e N

h ac Be

GII P G P PPSS LLAA ND N D

Melbourne

22 Myrtlebank Roaming Farms

Tarra-Bulga National Park

TTHH

19 Bob’s Gardenfarm Shop

Foster 44 18

10 Alpine Trout Farm 18 Fresh Fish Port Franklin ^ 26 Off the Wharf 27 Trawlers moored along The Esplanade 28 Ferry Seafoods

Fruit + Vegetables 6 Garﬁeld Fresh Harvest 16 Thorpdale Organics

Cheese 4 Bassine Speciality Cheeses 9 Prom Country Cheese

Meat

SEASONAL FARM GATES Fruit + Vegetables

Berries 1 Fleming Berries ^ ‡

Dec - Feb

2 Strzelecki Heritage Apples

Feb - May

17 I Love Farms

7 Gippsland Premium Paddock to Plate

3 Sunny Creek Organic ^

Dec - Feb

4 G’s Spuds

Dec - May

19 Bob’s Gardenfarm Shop

8 Wattlebank Park Farm

6 Water Wheel Orchards ‡

Dec - Feb

5 Thorpdale Potatoes ^

Jan - Jul

20 Wild Earth Mother

11 Hallston Valley Farm

7 Wild Earth Mother

Dec - Feb

9 The Fruitfarm Johnsonville

Nov - Jul

21 Boisdale Best

19 Bob’s Gardenfarm Shop

8 Picnic Point Farm

Jan - Apr

11 Snowy River Corn *

Nov - Mar

9 The Fruitfarm Johnsonville

Nov - Jul

10 Blueberry Fields

Dec - Feb

22 Myrtlebank Roaming Farms

Olive Oil

23 Wilbert’s Veggies & Cackleberries

13 Fish Creek Mount of Olives ^

24 Picnic Point Farm

14 Basia Mille

EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

25 Nullamunjie Olive Groves

Phone ahead as opening hours can change | * Honesty box, drop in at any time | ‡ Frozen berries sold year round

ALEJANDRO SARAVIA O F PA ST U S O

BY LINSEY RENDELL When he’s not heading up the kitchen at his Melbournebased restaurant Pastuso, chef-owner Alejandro Saravia can often be found exploring the fertile rolling hills of Gippsland. As an ambassador of Gippsland produce, he’s become the connective tissue between the passionate farmers and makers of the region and the people who love to eat. The Peruvian-born chef first came to Australia in 2006, seeking a relaxed pace after many years working in fine dining in Europe. But he’s done anything but rest on his laurels—first bringing Peruvian cuisine to ardently curious foodies of Melbourne, and now, laying the groundwork for a long-term plan to change the way we think about and consume food, while sharing the incredible stories of Gippsland farmers.

Alejandro’s Tip “You must stop at Loch Brewery & Distillery for delicious beer and gin. And The Meeniyan Store is full of delicious seasonal produce (especially garlic), so ﬁll up your pantry there.” EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

It was Paul Crock from Gippsland Natural Beef in Fish Creek that ﬁrst insisted Alejandro visit the region and take some time out from the chaos of the kitchen. The farmstay was an eye-opener, with Alejandro meeting various producers over the weekend and rediscovering the intrinsic connection between people and the land. It was a turning point in

the way Alejandro cooked. He did away with molecular powders and on-trend techniques, reduced his kitchen’s food waste by 40%, and began sourcing his ingredients thoughtfully. Now, down Melbourne’s iconic ACDC Lane, diners can be transported to Gippsland’s bucolic landscape without leaving the city. In true Argentinian fashion, grandiose cuts of dry-aged grass-fed beef from Gippsland Natural Beef are the main affair, while cultured cream from The Butterﬂy Factory is whipped into feta and adds a creamy touch to the black garlic paste for the Pastel de Choclo dish. Round out this sumptuous meal with wines from Gippsland’s esteemed vignerons The Wine Farm and William Downie.

GIPPSLAND’S

FRESH. PICKLED. R O A ST E D . PRESERVED. GROUND. SMOKED.

FA R M E R S M A R K E T S

Or turned into a sumptuous work of art. Shop like a local and have a yarn with the passionate folk who grow, bake, farm and make. The Koonwarra Farmers Market (first Saturday, Memorial Park) was one of the first, true farmers markets, connecting farmers with those in search of exceptional local product. This authentic market specialises in items that cannot be found in supermarkets like pastured free range eggs and chemical free vegetables, berry sorbets and fresh saffron. The smell of roast pork and crackling from the Webers might be the first thing you encounter at the Bass Coast Makers and Growers Market (second Sunday, Biggs Drive, Wonthaggi). You can find fresh garlic, oodles of herbs, mushrooms grown down the road, gourmet pestos and chocolate truffles. Warragul Farmers Market (third Saturday, Civic Park, Warragul) isn’t just a grab-it-andleave kind of gig. There is live music, ready to eat food and fantastic coffee so you can take your time and enjoy shopping organic EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

fruit and vegetables, woodfired sourdough bread, local wines, gourmet sausage rolls and flavoured popcorn. Enjoy the beautiful leafy setting of Traralgon Farmers Market (fourth Saturday, Kay Street Gardens) and be tempted by the range of beef jerky, salami, nut butter blends, farm raised eggs, smoked and fresh goat meat. Sale Producers Market (third Saturday, Sale Showgrounds) has pastured free range eggs, preserves, pure honey, olive oil and plenty to keep you sated while you’re there, including dumplings, cupcakes and gourmet pork pies. The undercover Bairnsdale Farmers Market (first Saturday, Bairnsdale Secondary College) runs hail or shine. You can purchase lamb sausages, smoked meats, venison, Dargo walnuts, goats’ milk and cheese, olive oil, organic breads, and seasonal apples and rhubarb. 11.

SOUTHERN GIPPSLAND FA R M E R S M A R K E T S

1st Saturday of the month Koonwarra Farmers Market kfm.org.au

Memorial Park, Koala Drive, Koonwarra

8.30am – 12.30pm

2nd Saturday of the month Coal Creek Farmers Market coalcreekfarmersmarket.com.au

8am – 12.30pm

Car park at Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, Silkstone Road, Korumburra

2nd Sunday of the month Bass Coast Makers & Growers Market

The Goods Shed, Biggs Drive, Wonthaggi

8am – 1pm

3rd Saturday of the month With fertile hills and lush fields woven into a tapestry of rich brown and vibrant green, it’s easy to see why this region is known for raising and growing some of the best produce in the country. Contented cows graze the land, a reminder of the flourishing dairy and beef industries. The region has bragging rights for crisp vegetables bursting with flavour, like snow peas, celery and potatoes. Authentic farmers markets allow you to access some of the region’s most delicious fresh produce. Try seafood plucked fresh from Bass Strait, fruit and vegetables, handcrafted cheeses and chocolate, or savour cool climate wines that reflect the land on which they are grown. Southern Gippsland has many more vibrant markets which you can find out about at visitbasscoast.com.au or visitpromcountry.com.au

EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

Prom Country Farmers Market promcountryfarmersmarket.org

8am – 12pm

Foster War Memorial Arts Centre Hall, Main Street, Foster

3rd Sunday of the month Inverloch Farmers Market

8am – 1pm

The Glade, The Esplanade, Inverloch

4th Saturday of the month Churchill Island Farmers Market

8am – 1pm

Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island

Leongatha Farmers Market leongathafarmersmarket.org.au

8.30am – 1pm

Community College Gippsland, Howard Street, Leongatha

Last Sunday of the month Inverloch Community Farmers Market

8am – 1pm

The Glade, The Esplanade, Inverloch 13.

COOKING SCHOOLS

Y 3RD SATURDA TH

+ F O O D TO U R S

N OF EVERY MO

8.30AM – 1 PM ARRAGUL CIVIC PARK, W

COOKING SCHOOLS The cooking school at String + Salt in Warragul focuses on timeworn skills of butchering, beekeeping, fermenting, curing, and even mushroom foraging. If there is anything you want to learn to cook: pasta, dumplings, seafood, winter comfort food... chances are they offer a class for it. Apart from the regular Sunday Table lunches, at Tamsin’s Table (Poowong), you can take a cooking class where skills change to reﬂect what is in season. Harvest produce from the rambling garden and use meat from the farm to make a three course feast.

Warragul Farmers’ Market is a place for people to meet and support local farmers and producers and buy a huge range of fresh and handmade food. Every month we have live music, ready to eat food by some of the best in the region, organic vegetables, artisan bread, preserves, fresh fruit, plants and much more. There is also amazing coﬀee and chai and lots of space to relax and catch up with friends.

www.warragulfarmersmarket.com.au

/warragulfarmersmarket

Sharpen your skills in barbecuing, cooking with seafood, herbs and spices, or specialise in ﬂavours of the world with a class from the renowned Culinaire Cooking School in Swan Reach.

PICK IT, STEW IT, ROLL IT, MAKE IT. WHISK IT, KNEAD IT, GLAZE IT, BAKE IT.

Delight in Australia’s native foods at Peppermint Ridge Farm (Tynong North) at the unique Native Creative cooking class or join a workshop for growing your own organic vegetables. Jaci Hicken is a pastry wizard, creating wondrous, sweet morsels served at high teas from her Mirboo North cafe, Jacican. Onsite, she has a food studio where you can learn the tricks of the trade with pastry classes, preserving, kids classes or shared lunches. 15.

FOOD TOURS Appetite Tours: guided tours of food and beverage destinations departing Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance for small groups; custom tours available Dianne’s Venture Tours: departing Cowes, this guided tour visits South Gippsland’s cheese, olive oil, wine and beer-making venues Gippsland Food Adventures: small group farm visits and tastings around South Gippsland Great Southern Escapes: hosted small group tours of Gippsland’s many boutique wineries, providores and craft breweries. Departs from Melbourne and Gippsland Peppermint Ridge Farm: guided tour of the native food garden in Tynong North followed by a meal in the cafe; workshops for native food growing and organic vegetable growing Venture Out: Ride & Dine or Paddle & Dine tours include bike or kayak hire for self-guided journeys paired with dining experiences Wyanga Park Winery Cruise: cruise departs Lakes Entrance to Wyanga Park Winery for lunch at the cafe and winery tastings

ALLROUNDERS

CHEESE

Culinaire Cooking School, Swan Reach Jacican, Mirboo North Milly & Romeo’s, Koonwarra String + Salt, Warragul Tamsin’s Table, Poowong

Cheshire Cat Grinnery Cheese, Yinnar Culinaire Cooking School, Swan Reach Four Rivers Cheeses, Swan Reach String + Salt, Warragul

BREAD

FLAVOURS OF THE WORLD

Cheshire Cat Grinnery Cheese, Yinnar Culinaire Cooking School, Swan Reach Milly & Romeo’s, Koonwarra String + Salt, Warragul

Claypot Curry House, Woolamai (Sri Lankan) Culinaire Cooking School, Swan Reach String + Salt, Warragul

HEALTH & SUSTAINABILITY

PRESERVING & FERMENTATION

Peppermint Ridge Farm, Tynong North Raw Harvest, Newborough

Jacican, Mirboo North String + Salt, Warragul

EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

GIPPSLAND JERSEY GIPPSLANDJERSEY.COM.AU

Sallie’s Tip “Buy a kilo of sweet, ready-to-eat lake prawns off the boat in Lakes Entrance, then sit on the beach and eat them.”

EAT. DRINK. GIPPSLAND

PHOTO CREDIT : Lardner Park

Got milk? Maybe. Got milk with a social diﬀerence? Maybe not. Gippsland Jersey milk is creamy and smooth, and it deﬁnitely tastes that little bit better knowing you’re supporting the local dairy community. In mid 2016, dairy farmers across Victoria were brought to their knees when milk processors slashed their purchase price radically and unexpectedly.

creamy goodness. The Gippsland Jersey milkshake caravan is a regular at the Warragul Farmers Market on the third Saturday of every month.

Sallie Jones, a third generation dairy farming kid from Lakes Entrance, tragically lost her father during the dairy crisis. At the other end of Gippsland, dairy farmer Steve Ronalds was struggling to put food on his family’s table. The dairy crisis brought Sallie and Steve together. Three months later they had milk in a bottle.

You can also sample Gippsland Jersey at a number of food outlets in the region. Cool off with a delectable honey ice cream at Blue Tree Honey Farm in Dumbalk, or indulge in a creamy coffee at G’Day Tiger in Cowes, or Raw Harvest Cafe in Newborough.

Gippsland Jersey bypasses the major milk processors and sells direct to retailers and cafes, allowing farmers to get a fair price for their premium jersey milk. The company’s vision is to create social change, with proceeds supporting the mental health of farmers.

Lakes Entrance is home to Albert & Co who make giant sized milkshakes with the perfect amount of ﬂavouring. Gippsland Jersey milk is often also a feature of the seasonal desserts made by Hogget Kitchen in Warragul and the Criterion Hotel in Sale. Show your support to the local dairy community all for the cost of, well... a bottle of milk.

Look out for the brand with over 150 cafes and stores stocking the

19.

EAT. W E ST G I P P S L A N D

HIGHLIGHTS In just over 60 clicks of the odometer you can dine at exceptional restaurants like Cannibal Creek Vineyard, Brandy Creek Estate or Hogget Kitchen

When caﬀeine calls, the townships of Yarragon and Warragul punch well above their weight for number of cafes

Forage for your dinner at Noojee’s Alpine Trout Farm or ﬁll your bucket to the brim with sweet berries, apples and persimmons from Sunny Creek Organic

Don’t go dairy-free Indulge in a milkshake from the Gippsland Jersey caravan at the Warragul Farmers Market or stock up on cheese from Stella’s Pantry in Warragul

Dine with a diﬀerence at Peppermint Ridge Farm, with meals showcasing the unique ﬂavours of Australian native foods EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

21.

HOGGET KITCHEN HOGGET.COM.AU Meat lovers rejoice. This ambient and relaxed restaurant puts local West Gippsland produce, and especially meat, in the spotlight. Stunning views across rows of vines sets the scene for sharing good food and good wine with friends. The menu allows the chef and owner, Trevor Perkins, to show off his enviable butchering and meatpreparation skills, which are all done in-house and by hand. You’ve heard of bacon, but have you heard of rabbit bacon or lamb bacon? These, alongside smoked lamb shoulder, aged beef, pickled pork and roasted quail, feature regularly on the menu. The charcuterie is a highlight, with cured meats and terrine. The grass-fed Gippsland Angus steaks are among the most tender and flavoursome you will find, thanks to two little words: dry aging. There is a smoker constantly on the go, imparting its robust, smokey flavour on cuts of lamb, pork, beef and trout.

Trev’s Tip

What isn’t grown in the small kitchen garden - or plucked

fresh from Trev’s mother’s veggie patch - is supplied locally. Trev honours the produce by using the freshest ingredients when they are at the peak of their season. The vegetables and herbs are delivered to the restaurant at the growers’ discretion, and the menu is designed around this “mystery box” of ingredients. There is an à la carte menu through the week or a ﬁxed menu on weekends. The selection won’t be easy with the mouthwatering list of roasted and smoked meats, but it is a decision only you can make. No wait, the chef can make it for you. Put your order into the trusty, skilled hands of Trev, and enjoy a selection of plates to share and meats with all the trimmings. Just make sure you leave space for the sumptuous desserts.

“The quality of West Gippsland produce speaks for itself, so take advantage of its natural state. Minimal intervention gives the maximum ﬂavour.” EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

23.

Mount Baw Baw

Noojee

C426

C465

Neerim South

Tynong

Walhalla

C481

Drouin

Warragul Yarragon Darnum Trafalgar C469

Thorpdale

WARRAGUL Warragul is the thriving rural centre of West Gippsland set amongst lush farmland and vineyards. The area is abundant with fresh, quality produce and celebrated by many a savvy restaurateur. Head to Hogget Kitchen for meat, whichever way you like it: charcuterie, smoked, dry aged, pickled or roasted. It is all done onsite with exquisite skill to produce succulent and ﬂavoursome dishes. Make sure this is on your list. The Courthouse Restaurant & Garden Bar is a Warragul institution, with an excellent modern-Australian menu enjoyed in the charm of the former courthouse building. Tempt your tastebuds at In2Food Cafe Bar & Bistro to enjoy hearty food in a relaxed setting. In need of a touch of spice? Warragul Thai is a local’s favourite, serving authentic Thai cuisine. EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Cafe culture is alive and well in Warragul with quality options including Stella’s Pantry, Main Street Cafe and Frankies. Earth Market Cafe has an extensive menu with plentiful vegan and healthy eating options. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• •

• • • •

Stella’s Pantry has pasta and grains, antipasto, spices, cheese and everything in between General delicatessen items at The Grange Cafe and Deli Warragul Lean & Green has artisan bread, smokehouse meats and local fresh produce Spice blends at String + Salt Gippsland Wine and beer at The Press Cellars Head to Harvest Fest 2018 at Lardner Park November 9 to 11 and discover all things to eat, grow, make and live

DROUIN You won’t be short of quality cafe options at this small township which borders Warragul. Steam & Riddles has a good breakfast menu, and a selection of tapas, large plates or burgers for lunch. For fresh and tasty eats and reliably good coffee, head to Drouin Gourmet Cafe, or be tempted by the cake selection at the atmospheric The French Pear. Just a stone’s throw from the town centre, Brandy Creek Estate has stunning views over the vineyard, best enjoyed with wine from the estate and a selection of tapas. They hold regular paella feasts and Brazilian-style barbecues. Middels Tapas Bar & Restaurant serves hearty breakfasts until late in the day, but it would be a shame to miss the extensive tapas menu and drinks list.

25.

NOOJEE

YARRAGON

There is nothing like a genuine country pub to match the backdrop of the bushland in the foothills of the Baw Baw Ranges.

Spoilt for choice. That’s what you are if you’re in search of a great coﬀee in a cosy cafe setting. This picturesque village along the Princes Highway is a perfect place to stretch your legs and grab a bite.

The Toolshed Bar is a watering hole for the locals and serves hearty pub favourites, including a selection of eleven parmas. That’s right, eleven.

Tucked in the laneway of Village Walk, Sticcado Cafe offers a lovely lunch nook to enjoy a thoughtful menu of worldly ﬂavours, or The Shot House roasts their own coffee beans and perfect it with a range of organic milks. There are fresh, healthy meals served at Cafe Piccolo and Fozigobble Cafe to complement their smooth coffees (or green smoothies). Just out of the town centre, you can even sip your latte in an old farmhouse and feed the goats at The Gippy Goat Cafe. EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

At the Yarragon Hotel, pub meals are inventive, but you don’t have to give up classics like ﬁsh and chips or a scotch ﬁllet steak. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• •

Gippsland Food & Wine for your delicatessen needs and a large range of local wines Massive range of local and imported beers at Yarragon Ale House

Two minutes down the highway and you’re at Noojee Hotel, or “Nooj Pub” if you want to ﬁt in with the locals. The large balcony is the place to be, with views overlooking scenic bush land and the river. The meals are excellent and the beer is cold. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Jindi Pig Butchers in nearby Neerim South specialises in free range pork, ﬂavoured sausages and smoked meats

27.

MORE EATS AROUND WEST GIPPSLAND In Tynong, Cannibal Creek Vineyard serves reﬁned French bistro style food in a relaxed setting. The ﬂoor to ceiling windows provide a spectacular vantage point. Just down the way is Peppermint Ridge Farm, celebrating native Australian bush foods through edible guided tours of the farm, and lunches and dinners in the onsite restaurant, The Schoolhouse.

Cannibal Creek Vineyard

Stella’s Pantry

260 TYNONG NORTH ROAD, TYNONG NORTH

5/12 VICTORIA STREET, WARRAGUL

Award winning, single estate wines by Pat and Kirsten Hardiker. French leaning menu by Chef Philippe Desrettes celebrating Gippsland produce, in a relaxed country setting.

We are passionate about artisan food and we stock a large range in our gourmet food store and delicatessen, showcasing our products in our café.

03 5942 8380 | cannibalcreek.com.au Hours: Daily 11am – 5pm Full lunch service 12 – 2.30pm Dinner last Friday of the month and as advertised

03 5611 0869 | stellaspantry.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm Saturday 8am – 2pm

Thorpdale Bakery is putting Thorpdale on the map for its range of imaginative pies. Asian-style duck, Thai chicken and pulled pork pies, as well as Chicken Kiev sausage rolls are highlights of the range. A perfect stop between Warragul and Yarragon is Nickelby at Darnum, where you can grab a coffee and a cake while you browse the range of beautiful alpaca garments. In the charming village of Walhalla you’ll ﬁnd the Wally Pub, serving pub favourites including a section of the menu dedicated to schnitzels. It’s hard to beat the views across snow-dusted snow gums from Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort’s Village Central Restaurant & Bar, which on a clear day reach all the way to Bass Strait. EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Earth Market Café

Hogget Kitchen

35 VICTORIA STREET, WARRAGUL

6 FARRINGTON CLOSE, WARRAGUL

A mouth watering range of healthy choices from fresh salads, frittatas, wraps and focaccias to raw, guilt-free slices and treats. Large range of Vegan and Vegetarian options

Local, seasonal produce shines in every dish. Stunning views over the Wild Dog vineyard and an enviable wine list highlighting the best of the region.

03 5623 1768 Hours: Monday to Friday 7am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday 8am – 3pm

03 5623 2211 | hogget.com.au Hours: Lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm 29.

Yarragon Hotel

The Shot House

105 PRINCES HIGHWAY, YARRAGON

2 VILLAGE WALK, YARRAGON

Consistently outstanding meals with friendly, efﬁcient service. The Yarragon Hotel is a great stop along the way, or the ideal destination for a country drive.

Yarragon’s newest boutique coffee bar offers the ultimate coffee experience. Enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee, buy freshly roasted beans, coffee machines, equipment and beautiful giftware.

03 5634 2202 | yarragonhotel.com.au Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner

03 5634 2811 | southernaddictionscoffee.com.au Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm Sunday 10am – 4.30pm

The Gippy Goat Café

The Spud Shed

26 GORDON ROAD, YARRAGON

PRINCES HIGHWAY, TRAFALGAR

Family friendly farm and café. A destination, arrive with a surprise, leave with a memory. House-made products available. Goat milking 2.30pm open to public daily.

Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, local potatoes, homemade cakes, freshly baked bread and choose from a large vegan, gluten free and organic selection.

03 5634 2509 | thegippygoatcafe.com.au Hours: Daily 9am – 4pm

03 5633 1410 Hours: Daily 7am – 6pm

AD: Sunny Creek Berries | Half Page

WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU INTO OUR DREAM PANTRY! A store full of artisan products including antipasto, charcuterie, cheese, specialty ingredients & everyday staples.

Sunny Creek Organic Berries

Fozigobble Cafe

69 TUDOR ROAD, TRAFALGAR SOUTH

79 PRINCES HIGHWAY, YARRAGON

We grow a vast range of berries amongst a fruit and nut orchard setting, using permaculture principles. All certiﬁed organic by NASAA since 1988.

The name is unique and so is the food! We cater for all dietary needs, using organic products. Sri Lankan menu, Saturday night licensed. Child and pet friendly.

03 5634 7526 | sunnycreekorganic.com Hours: Daily 8am – 5pm in December and January Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9am – 5pm February to November. Other days by arrangement

03 5634 2853 Hours: Daily 6am – 5pm Dinner Saturday 6pm – 9.30pm

EAT. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Treat yourself in store with breakfast, lunch or coffee & cake! Our menu is based around the products you will find in our fridges and on our shelves, we work with some amazing producers and want you to be able to try their products before you take them home!

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Nestled in the beautiful Strzelecki Ranges, we have a wonderful range of berryfruits early in summer, with heritage apples and chestnuts in autumn. All certiďŹ ed organically grown, since 1988. Picked or pick-your-own, with our farm preserves and frozen berries available all year.

SUNNY CREEK ORGANIC BERRY FARM 69 Tudor Rd, Trafalgar South, Victoria (03) 5634 7526 Visit our website for opening hours

SUNNYCREEKORGANIC.COM

THE SPUD SHED SO MUCH MORE THAN POTATOES

The Hogget Kitchen ideology is to source the best local produce, at the peak of season and let it shine in each dish. An extensive wine list includes the best of the region and more. All enjoyed overlooking the beautiful Wild Dog vineyard, less than 90 minutes from Melbourne. 6 Farrington Close Warragul, Vic, 3820 03 5623 2211 | hello@hogget.com.au www.hogget.com.au

Fresh fruit & veg | Freshly baked bread & cakes| Local made jams & chutneys A large range of organic, vegan & gluten free products Open Daily 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Princes Hwy, Trafalgar, Victoria 3824 | (03) 5633 1410

NEWHAVEN

EAT.

Dramatic landscapes surround The Cape Kitchen where breakfast and lunch are on offer with an emphasis on Gippsland produce.

PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is a chocoholic’s dream. Watch chocolate being made, create chocolate art, indulge at the cafe and don’t forget to stock up for home.

VENTNOR The Shed is a cafe, produce and homewares store all in one. Beautifully presented in a farm store, the toasties and homemade pies are winners. Visit the Bimbadeen Phillip Island and enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the working farm then a paddock to plate experience using the farm fresh produce. There are eggs and honey to take away from the farm store.

SAN REMO

Famous for wildlife, nature and spectacular coastline, the food scene is taking oﬀ across the island and in San Remo, its seafood village entrance. From pub style bistros to ﬁne dining restaurants and charming cafes, there is something to suit all tastes.

COWES Pinos Trattoria has long since been a Cowes favourite, bursting with a welcoming atmosphere and Italian family charm. Or enjoy seafood as well as the views at Harry’s on the Esplanade. The Waterboy Cafe boasts the perfect location to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or lunch with sumptuous views over Westernport Bay. EAT. | PHILLIP ISLAND

WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Nearby in Rhyll, catch your own ﬁsh at the Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm • Have grazing boxes and platters of the ﬁnest produce delivered to your door from The Pantry Phillip Island

For the freshest ﬁsh and chips, head to San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op with stunning views over the very waters where your meal was caught. San Remo Hotel sources local meats, seafood and vegetables to execute their bistro menu, including Gippsland pork belly sliders and beer battered Bass Strait gummy ﬁllets. Boutique, small-batch coffee roaster, BEANd, gets the coffee right, but they also nail all-day breakfasts and light lunches. Oh, and their fudge is turning heads. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• IGA San Remo has an ever increasing focus on local produce from oil, honey and seafood, to in-store hydroponic lettuce • Discover seafood delights to cook yourself from Bass Strait Direct and the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op 35.

Dining 1 Harry’s On the Esplanade 3 The Trumpet Bar

Silverleaves

4 Isola di Capri

22 23

6 Cheeky Goose Café

Rhyll

Cowes-Rhyll Road

7 La Porchetta 18 or

8 Youkis Japanese Tapas Bar Ve

ntn

9 Wing Ho Restaurant

Ventnor

13 Grenache Wine Bar

20 19

14 Pinos Trattoria

Back Beach Road

15 Sherwoods Restaurant

Smiths Beach

25 The Cape Kitchen 36 Watermark @ Silverwater

Churchill Island

21 Surf Beach

Summerlands

Philli

p Isla

nd R

Cape Woolamai

Cafes 10 Café Lugano 5

11 Bani’s Kitchen 12 The Waterboy Café 18 The Shed 21 Smiths Beach General Store 28 The Haven Expresso Café

15 16

Thompsons Road

5 Kuta Café

1 2 3 4

The Esplanade

oad

27 Newhaven 28 26 32 33 29

35 31 34 San

Remo

13 12

7 8 10 11 9

Chapel Street

Cowes

31 BEANd 32 Sweetly 35 Beachside Bakehouse

Hotel + Bistros

Produce + Catering 26 Phillip Island Chocolate Factory 34 San Remo IGA

16 Hotel, Cowes

19 Bimbadeen Farmstore and Tours

17 North Pier Hotel

20 The Shearing Shed

2 Fishermans Wharf

23 Phillip Island RSL

22 Cowes Shopping Centre

Kates Plates - For Delivery

27 Bass Strait Direct

30 The Westernport

24 Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm

The Pantry - For Delivery

29 San Remo Fishermans Co-Op

33 San Remo Hotel

Seafood

EAT. | PHILLIP ISLAND

VISITPHILLIPISLAND.COM

EAT. SOUTH GIPPSLAND

HIGHLIGHTS Because #cheese Delight in handmade artisan cheese made from their own farm milk at Bassine Specialty Cheeses and Prom Country Cheese

Blink-and-you’ll-miss-it food havens. Pop Kernot Food and Wine Store, Koonwarra Store, Kilcunda General Store and The Meeniyan Store into your GPS so you don’t miss some of the best eateries in the area

Share a table with old and new friends at Tamsin’s Table and enjoy a soulful meal of home grown food

Get produce direct from the source with veggies, honey, meat, cheese, olive oil and berries which showcase this region of abundance

Fish doesn’t get any fresher than at San Remo Fisherman’s Co-operative, Bass Strait Direct or Rhyll Trout & Bush Tucker Farm EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

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PROM COAST FOOD COLLECTIVE PROMCOASTFOODCOLLECTIVE.COM.AU Want to know exactly where your food comes from and how it is made? The Prom Coast Food Collective makes quality local produce available directly to ethicallyconscious consumers.

Amelia’s Tip “Get to Gurneys Cider to taste South Gippsland in a glass - from blossom to bottle - and feast on local grazing platters.” EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

PHOTO CREDIT : Amelle Photography

Farmers Amelia Bright and Sally Ruljancic saw an opportunity for South Gippsland growers and makers to pool their resources to make their produce more accessible. The collective is fiercely local, comprised of small-scale farmers who run an ethical operation. No exceptions. They honour their South Gippsland and Bass Coast home by treating their animals, soil and landscape with respect. You can select from a range of pasture raised meats, eggs, cheeses, honey, relishes and vegetables. Some of the produce you can’t find just anywhere, including locally milled grains and flours, heritage vegetables, saffron salt and unhomogenised milk and cream. And in the summer months, there are probably more berries than you’ve heard of.

Products available for purchase are listed on an online platform called the Open Food Network (basically the Etsy of food producers). Sales take place online for the ﬁrst two weeks of the month, then you can collect your order from Blue Tree Honey Farm in Dumbalk on the third Sunday of the month. The producers set up their small market place at the farm (known jocularly as the “Village Square”), or simply pop the boot of their vehicles. No cash. No waste. Just proud and passionate makers and growers, who love what they do. The best thing about the collective is having the opportunity to chat with people who make what you eat. When you collect your produce you also collect a story to tell at the table.

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B460

BASSINE SPECIALTY CHEESES

Grantville

Loch

A440

Korumburra

Mirboo North Leongatha

M420

Moyarra Kilcunda

Koonwarra

B460

Meeniyan Wonthaggi

A440

Inverloch

Foster

C442

Fish Creek

C444

Wilsons Promontory

“Did somebody say cheese?” we hear you ask. Yes, in fact, somebody said, “handmade artisan farmhouse cheese”. Glen Bisognin looks after the Bassine Specialty Cheeses’ dairy farm in Glen Forbes, which his parents established back in the 60s. His partner Kaye Courtney began cheese making as a hobby, and we are so grateful she did. The milk comes directly from their herd of 180 holstein cows, which may just be the nectar of the gods. This is used to make a range of soft cheeses, including feta, brie, camembert, washed rind, coulommiers, halloumi, ricotta, quark, fruit cheese and marinated feta.

EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

But why stop at cheese? They also make non-homogenised, pasteurised farm milk, natural yogurt and cream under the label Bass River Dairy. You can taste the delectable cheese and dairy products at the farm gate and create a stock pile to take away. Meet the cows and visit the onsite cafe where you can indulge in a creamy milkshake or enjoy ﬂuffy, fresh scones with a generous dollop of pure cream. Does life get any better than this?

KILCUNDA & SURROUNDS With dramatic coastline and cliﬀs arching into the distance, the seaside town of Kilcunda has access to coastline walks and the Bass Coast Rail Trail. Locals line up to get their coffee and breakfasts from the Kilcunda General Store, where produce is sourced locally and their own relishes are made from scratch. Still operating as a general store and post ofﬁce, this cafe rates highly for country charm. Sit in a quaint 100 year old church at the Old Dalyston Deli while you enjoy your breakfast, lunch or dinner in the tranquil countryside town. In Archies Creek, the Archies Couch menu offers burgers, tapas and rustic pizzas, focusing on free range, spray-free and local ingredients. The garden is a leafy nook, perfect for enjoying a lazy lunch or live music on a Sunday sesh.

WHERE TO STOCK UP • Udder & Hoe in Kilcunda is a teeny-tiny delicatessen which celebrates the produce and lifestyle of local farmers; fruit and veg is grown within 30km of the shop, and the owners know the story and whereabouts of every single stocked item 43.

INVERLOCH The seaside village of Inverloch oﬀers a surf beach and gentle foreshore, and is ﬂush with cafes and restaurants.

PHOTO CREDIT : Frances Parker

The cafe scene is solid with The Bayside Lady serving breakfasts and lunches, with breads and cakes made lovingly from scratch. Check out the retro-fab courtyard, complete with 70s wall mural and caravan where drinks are served in the evening. The Local is a humming hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, playing a strong coffee hand.

WONTHAGGI The commercial centre of the Bass Coast region, Wonthaggi is a hub to explore pristine beaches, surﬁng hot spots, walks and rides. Coffee Collective is famed for their homemade doughnuts and daily specials that take you on a gastronomic adventure, like the paleocrumbed chicken burger with chilli slaw. The exposed brick walls and industrial decor bursts with warmth.

On the outskirts of town, housed in a historical building is Hicksborough General Store and Cafe offering modern, healthy and fresh fare including daily salads, raw treats and gorgeous breakfasts.

EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

For international flavours, head to Tomo for modern Japanese, offering an extensive menu of gyoza, sashimi, soft shell crab and tofu dishes. Get your spice hit from The Chutney Bar, an authentic Indian outfit serving all your favourites: pakora, tandoori, and curries, including an extensive vegetarian list. Dine with a view at RACV Inverloch Resort’s Radius Restaurant. The floor-to-ceiling windows boast unrivalled coastal views while you enjoy an à la carte dinner, or a Taste of Gippsland buffet lunch on Sundays. The perfect way to end a lazy beach day is with gelati or pastries from Gusto Gelateria. This authentic gelateria makes everything by hand including Italian classics such as tiramisu and cannolo. WHERE TO STOCK UP

•

• •

Vaughans Cafe Deli has an enviable range of antipasto, smoked meats, cheese and preserves, with a small kitchen and a coffee machine that works in overdrive to keep up with the locals Inverloch Quality Butchers has all the quality cuts you’d expect as well as kombucha on tap, bone broth and whole foods Foodworks Inverloch has a range of local products including cheese from Berrys Creek and milk products by Bass River Dairies 45.

LEONGATHA & KORUMBURRA Leongatha and Korumburra are in the heart of gloriously green farm country.

LOCH Lovely little Loch is a picture-perfect village bursting with collectables, antiques and gifts. Follow the dreamy aromas of freshly baked cakes, pies and tarts to Olive at Loch. They are not kidding around calling themselves the “home of baking”. The newest member of the Udder & Hoe family (also in Kilcunda; coming soon to Korumburra) is bursting with gourmet delicatessen delights inside an inviting cafe setting. The barbie is ﬁred up at The Rustic Cacao Cafe. Have a tasting of the drinking chocolate edged with chilli or the hot chilli sauces made onsite.

Number 9 Dream Cafe and The Rusty Windmill in Leongatha have got your back for cosy cafes and lazy brunches. Sweet Toothians: get thee to Forage & Grind (Leongatha) where you can ﬁnd the perfect macaron. Cakes & Pastries on Commercial (Korumburra) have decadent milkshakes like something out of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. WHERE TO STOCK UP • Grow Lightly Food Hub Shop in Korumburra sells seasonal, fresh, organic and locally grown fruit and veg • Delight in cheesy goodness directly at Prom Country Cheese nearby in Moyarra

INTRODUCING THE BOROUGH DEPT. STORE OPENING MID 2018 Opening soon in Korumburra, The Borough Dept. Store is a collaboration between Tamsin’s Table and Udder & Hoe to bring back the beautiful simplicity of your local department store. Relax in the cafe, shop the weekly produce market, or stock up for home with mouthwatering pantry and delicatessen items, and heavenly cakes and baked goods. It may not be long before you get a whiff of some ﬁne local cheeses with plans to include a creamery. EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

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TAMSIN CARVAN O F TA M S I N ’S TA B L E TAMSINSTABLE.COM.AU

BY LINSEY RENDELL Among the undulating hills of verdant Poowong East, Tamsin Carvan grows food, raises animals and shares her farm bounty with up to 30 strangers each weekend as part of Tamsin’s Table.

Tamsin’s Tip “Jump onto a back road, talk to the locals, take your time–just make sure you are on top of a hill at ‘golden hour’ amidst the shadows and the shifting light and the colours as the sun goes down. There really is nothing better.” EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

Driven by the desire to return to a simpler way of living, Tamsin abandoned a corporate career in 2002 to move to a hilltop farmhouse in rainfall-rich South Gippsland with plenty of fertile soil to sink her ﬁngers into. Soon her barely one-acre patch of annual and perennial herbs, vegetables and fruit trees was producing a sizeable bounty, and she needed an avenue to share her harvest and the joy of homegrown food with likeminded folk.

onions on the stove or sugar and cream being concocted into lush cakes awakens the appetite as guests sip on a gimlet aperitif made from Loch Brewery gin.

Now each weekend, small contingents of city dwellers and Gippsland locals make the journey up Tamsin’s long winding driveway to share in good food, good company and good conversation at a long table lunch or hands-on cooking workshop.

It’s this signature touch that Tamsin will be bringing to two new ventures in nearby Korumburra from 2018. The Borough Dept. Store is a collaborative market hall featuring a cake shop and creamery by Tamsin and a wholefoods cafe and pantry by the Udder & Hoe team. And Tamsin’s Sunday lunches will transform into a supper club in 2019, with workshops continuing in the new space and on the farm.

Tamsin’s home feels instantly calming and comforting, and her welcoming nature means city stresses are swiftly left behind. Often the aroma of browned

No two gatherings are the same, with each menu shaped from meat and fresh produce that has been grown on the farm, which shifts with the weather and the seasons. A visit to Tamsin’s is a joyful lesson in living off the land, cooking from scratch and sharing with abundance.

49.

KOONWARRA The picturesque town of Koonwarra has a legendary reputation on the food and wine scene. Koonwarra Store is a true gem. You’ll feel instantly at home and the house-made cafe fare is fresh and delicious. There are plenty of goodies to take away from the delicatessen selection. Milly & Romeo’s uses farm-fresh seasonal produce to shape their menu into gorgeous country-style breakfasts and light lunches, or grab fresh bread, cakes and pastries to go. WHERE TO STOCK UP • The charm’s not for sale at Paddlewheel, but the fresh produce, cheese and meat is

MIRBOO NORTH Nestled amongst the Strzelecki Ranges, Mirboo North has an inviting feel with its many heritage buildings lining the main street. Cafes are a staple here with Healing Leaves serving healthy, organic options with meals for vegan and gluten free eaters, and Lamezleighs where you can enjoy the fabulous coffee and delectable range of baked goods in the outdoor courtyard. There’s no going past the cakes at Tamaralyns. Generous portions of classic pub meals are served at the Mirboo North Hotel, certain to keep hunger at bay.

MEENIYAN The picturesque country town of Meeniyan is a browser’s delight, peppered with boutique gift and jewellery stores.

EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

Trulli Pizzeria perfects the art of traditional Italian pizza with thin bases and a smattering of quality ingredients. Try “The Tarwin” made with spicy soppressata and Berrys Creek blue cheese.

Raining out? Grab a spot by the woodﬁre at the Meeniyan Hotel and soak up the country hospitality and excellent pub fare at this South Gippsland institution. It might just be the best parma you’ve tasted.

You’ll feel instantly at home as you enter the inviting Moo’s at Meeniyan, serving hearty breakfasts and lunches, alongside a selection of inspired tapas. Dinner is served on weekends from a short but reﬁned modern-Australian menu with an emphasis on local, quality ingredients.

If you’re riding the Great Southern Rail Trail, the next stop on your food journey is Avonleigh Farm Fine Food. The decadent Victorian decor of the dining room makes the perfect backdrop to enjoy the exquisite high teas. Each morsel - a work of art leaves no detail unnoticed.

51.

MORE EATS AROUND SOUTH GIPPSLAND FISH CREEK & FOSTER These rural townships are located in South Gippsland’s famed lush hills near the spectacular Wilsons Promontory National Park. In Fish Creek, Gibsons serves lunch favourites which can be enjoyed in the pretty outdoor garden. There’s no need to browse the Gecko Studio Gallery on an empty stomach with delicious breakfasts and lunches served onsite at Headquarters Cafe.

Drop in to Pandesal Bakery, an artisanal bakery specialising in sourdough loaves. Think crusty baguettes, buttery croissants and ﬂaky pastry pies. WHERE TO STOCK UP • Meeniyan Square holds evening markets where you can grab ready-to-eat food, cakes and wine - check out their website for dates • Collect your online orders of the best of local meat, dairy, fruit and veg from Prom Coast Food Collective on the third Saturday of the month from Blue Tree Honey Farm nearby in Dumbalk

EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

•

If it’s made in South Gippsland, and it’s wonderful, you’re likely to ﬁnd it at The Meeniyan Store The Meeniyan Pantry & Cellar has local and international delicatessen items including an enormous cheese selection

In Foster, Bromley’s on Main has an eclectic range of bric-a-brac on display so you can get your ﬁll of quirk while you enjoy the cafe-style fare. Cafe by day and restaurant by night, Cafe Max serves up a varied menu of steaks, curries, seafood and melt-inyour-mouth slow cooked meats.

Kernot Food and Wine Store might be a dot of a place, but the secret’s out for locals and visitors alike who get this place buzzing on a weekend. Woodﬁred pizza, pies and cakes are hits at this beautiful heritage cafe. Claypot Curry House in Woolamai showcases the simplicity of Sri Lankan village life, using vegetables picked from the kitchen garden. Food is cooked the traditional way in clay pots. WHERE TO STOCK UP • At La Provincia in Corinella you can ﬁnd homemade passata and sauces, small goods and cold cuts, fresh vegetables, cheese, wine and preserves • Taste your way around the cheeses at Bassine Specialty Cheeses in Glen Forbes then take away your favourites

WHERE TO STOCK UP • Aherns Fruit Market (Foster) is a greengrocer, gourmet deli and health food store 53.

Wonthaggi Club

RACV Inverloch Resort

16 MCBRIDE AVENUE, WONTHAGGI

70 CAPE PATERSONINVERLOCH ROAD, INVERLOCH

The Wonthaggi Club is the perfect place to hold your next function. The Club function facilities are available for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate functions and training sessions.

The Radius Restaurant showcases local produce prepared with imagination and ﬂair, while Zenith Lounge offers relaxing armchairs, a gas log ﬁre and panoramic coastal views.

03 5672 1007 | wonthaggiclub.com.au Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am til late Sunday 10am til late

03 5674 0000 | racv.com.au/inverloch Hours: Radius Restaurant: Breakfast daily 7 – 10am Lunch Monday to Sunday 12 – 3pm Dinner daily 6 – 9pm Zenith Lounge: Daily 9am – 10pm

Bassine Specialty Cheeses

Gusto Gelateria & Pastry

Vaughan’s Café Deli

Prom Country Cheese

2125 BASS HIGHWAY, GLEN FORBES

144 GRAHAM STREET, WONTHAGGI 9 WILLIAMS STREET, INVERLOCH

SHOP H, 10 A’BECKETT STREET, INVERLOCH

275 ANDERSONS INLET ROAD, MOYARRA

Specialising in pastry and gelati. Handmade and ready to eat in-house, on the run or at home. Let us be the icing on your special occasion cake!

A family owned café deli that prides itself on consistently serving delicious food, great coffee, gourmet delicatessen/grocery store and a great selection of local wines.

Experience handcrafted produce from this multi-award winning cheesery. Enjoy lunch platters with local beverages while overlooking the beautiful farm that grows your food.

Wonthaggi: 03 5613 905 Inverloch: 03 5674 6164 Hours: Check Facebook for open times

03 5674 6877 | vaughanscafedeli.com.au Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am – 4pm Extended trading hours over holiday periods

03 5657 3338| promcountrycheese.com.au Hours: Weekends & public holidays 10am – 5pm Daily in January | Closed July and August

Specialty cheese made right here on the farm. See the cheese making and maturation room. Enjoy tea, coffee, milkshakes and a range of delicious cheeses. 03 9988 2820 | bassinespecialtycheeses.com.au Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm Friday to Sunday 10am – 6pm EAT. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

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Avonleigh Farm Fine Food

Trulli Woodﬁre Pizzeria

The Fish Creek Hotel

The Royal Standard Hotel

42 THORSONS ROAD, TARWIN

93 WHITELAW STREET, MEENIYAN

I OLD WARATAH ROAD, FISH CREEK

6971 STANLEY STREET, TOORA

Avonleigh: elegant, intimate, unique. Indulge yourself in lunch, deluxe afternoon tea or dinner in a lavish atmosphere of Victorian antiques. A true dining experience, just 3 minutes’ drive from Meeniyan.

At Trulli we cook from the heart with everything made in-house and by hand. We offer woodﬁred pizzas, antipasto plates and delicious BBQ dishes in a welcoming atmosphere.

The hotel offers meals daily, and features an extensive menu of fresh and seasonal regional produce. The wine list features local vineyards and Gippsland selections.

Trip Advisor Certiﬁcate Of Excellence 2017. Finalist 2017 AHA Awards Best Casual Dining Regional. A great dining experience. Children’s playroom. Beer garden. TAB. Friendly staff.

03 5664 7264 | avonleighfarmﬁnefood.com.au Hours: Bookings Wednesday to Sunday 11am – 11pm

03 5664 7397 | trullipizzeria.com.au Hours: Wednesday to Thursday 4pm til late Friday to Sunday 12pm til late

03 5683 2404 | ﬁshcreekhotel.com.au Hours: Daily 11am til late

03 5686 2475 | toorapub.com.au Hours: Lunch daily 12pm – 2pm Dinner daily 6pm – 8.30pm

Moo’s at Meeniyan

Meeniyan Hotel

Prom Coast Food Collective

Jacican

89 WHITELAW STREET, MEENIYAN

117 WHITELAW STREET, MEENIYAN

120 SWEENEYS ROAD, DUMBALK

32 GILES STREET, MIRBOO NORTH

Relaxed restaurant and café in Meeniyan. The food is generous, honest and from locally sourced produce. Fantastic coffee and friendly service, warm and inviting atmosphere.

Experience country hospitality in this charming hotel in the heart of Meeniyan. Stellar range of wines and an extensive gastro pub style menu.

A multi-producer hub of ethical and organic producers and makers in South Gippsland, selling online, and bringing you the freshest and tastiest produce.

03 5664 7203 | meeniyanhotel.com.au Hours: Daily 12pm – 10pm Meals served all day every day – 12 noon to 9pm

0407 988 274 | promcoastfoodcollective.com.au Order online 1st – 14th of each month Collect: 3 – 4.30pm on the third Sunday of each month or 10am – 7pm Monday following at The Pantry, Meeniyan

Cooking school and food studio. Delicious coffees, cakes and meals from an ever changing menu of seasonal Gippsland produce. Cooking classes, long lunches, high teas – bookings required.

03 5664 0010 | moosatmeeniyan.com.au Hours: Monday & Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am – 4:30pm 6pm dinner Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed EAT. “ | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

03 5668 2475 | jacican.com.au Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm Dinner by appointment 57.

Mirboo North Hotel

Café Escargot

70 RIDGEWAY, MIRBOO NORTH

10 OLD NICHOLS ROAD, MIRBOO NORTH

Family operated country hotel serving delicious, home cooked meals from fresh local produce. Also a fully functional TAB, bar and accommodation venue. Reservations appreciated.

Dine with a difference from the Mediterranean inspired menu featuring the famed escargot, seafood, pasta and rice dishes, and tantalising homemade cakes. Please call before arrival.

03 5668 1552 Hours: Sunday and Monday 11am til late Tuesday to Saturday 10am til late

03 5668 1589 | cafe-escargot-farmstay.com Hours: Daily 8.00 am – 9.00pm

HAND MADE ARTISAN FARMHOUSE CHEESE

Discover Prom Country Cheese in the lush Moyarra Valley

Our cheese is made right here on the farm, in our purpose-built cheese making facility attached to the cafe. Sample our lovely cheeses, have one of the best milkshakes around, or spoil yourself with our freshly baked scones with farm cream, whilst sipping on a coffee or tea.

VISIT US 2125 Bass Highway, Glen Forbes, Victoria, Monday - Thursday 10am - 4pm, Friday - Sunday 10am - 6pm www.bassinespecialtycheeses.com.au | 03 9988 2820

Experience the ﬂavors of unique sheep and cow cheeses, all handcrafted on the farm. Stay for a ploughman’s lunch with local beer and wines.

B AS S IN E

S ESS SS P ESS E PE EE EC HE CIIA CH AL Y C LT TY

Open weekends 10am - 5pm (Sept to June & daily through Jan) For other times and group bookings call 03 5657 3338 www.promcountrycheese.com.au

Coffee Shop • Deli • SpeCialty GroCery Store

SerVinG DeliCiouS loCal GooDneSS Daily

Shop h, 10 a'Beckett Street inverloch, Victoria www.vaughanscafedeli.com.au • (03) 5674 6877

special occasion? cakes | pastries | gelati

”because remember, stressed is just desserts spelled backward!” ONLINE ORDERING ALSO AVAILABLE

www.gustogelateria.com.au

EAT. CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

HIGHLIGHTS Pedal and dine along the tranquil Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, conveniently passing by Cowwarr Cricket Club Hotel, The Pickle Pot and Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door

Dine with a view of boutique wineries at Toms Cap Winery Restaurant and Traralgon Vineyard

Central Gippsland lays claim to some of the best pub grub with Tinamba Hotel, The Criterion Hotel and The Star Hotel Sale providing excellent options

Nightlife in Traralgon Start the evening at the intimate setting of House of Frank or put the extensive wine list to good use at Little Prince Eating House & Bar, then end the night at The 3844 for beers and live music

Lose yourself in stunning coastal views from Port Albert’s jetty with seafood cooked fresh at Wildﬁsh or Port Albert Wharf Fish & Chips EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

63.

RAW HARVEST RAWHARVESTCAFE.COM Even if you are a fructose-and-dairy-intolerant-coeliacvegan with a nut allergy, you’ll still be spoilt for choice at Raw Harvest Cafe in Newborough. The cafe is the creation of Elizabeth Maskiell, a qualified nutritionist who struggles firsthand with food intolerance. Everything is made in-store using local, organic ingredients, or is brought in from suppliers who are fiercely local. Gone are the days of asking red-faced for a green salad, with the dressing on the side. Oh, and hold the onion. The staff are highly knowledgeable about what the ingredients are and how the food is made, and can provide you with options so that choosing from the menu is an enjoyable experience.

Lizi’s Tip “I love to enjoy a meal with friends at Little Prince, Neilsons or Warragul Thai and a drink at Bar Twenty4 in Trafalgar. There is such a high calibre of local food ventures that it means we don’t need to travel to the city.”

EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Be tempted by the seasonal menu where you might ﬁnd breakfast options such as quinoa porridge with coconut yogurt or ﬂuffy caramelised banana hotcakes. There are virtuous lunches like Glowing Green Bowls and Buddha Bowls, plus heartier burgers and a paleocrumbed parma.

Save room for a guilt-free, healthy alternative treat with selections like choc cherry protein balls, chia pudding and matcha peppermint slice. The coffee is award-winning, but for non-coffee drinkers there is a quirky range of superfood lattes, like beetroot and turmeric. Don’t be scared off by the vibrant blue “mermaid latte”, coloured from its core ingredient blue algae. It tastes like chai with a hint of cinnamon and coconut. We promise. The cafe is an open and inviting space, designed for punters to mindfully enjoy their food. There are gifts and local artwork on display, as well as locally made produce to take home, such as honey, cider tonic, chai and muesli. Raw Harvest Cafe is about providing choices for those who did not make the choice to alter their lifestyle.

65.

Briagolong

C494

Heyﬁeld

Tinamba

Stratford

Maﬀra Cowwarr C487 C488 C105

Sale

Moe Newborough

Rosedale

Traralgon Morwell

Nestled between the Mid Valley Shopping Centre and Village Cinemas, Cafe Qu Bah seamlessly takes you from shopping trip to movie date. They offer up eggs, fritters and hotcakes for breaky, and modern-Australian share plates for lunch and dinner like pork belly, potato croquettes and traditional Italian meatballs.

C483

Port Albert

MOE Moe is a historic town in the Latrobe Valley, and the perfect stopover to explore nearby national parks and stepping oﬀ point for Walhalla. Amay Cafe and Restaurant is guaranteed to ﬁll your belly with hearty big breakfasts EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

MORWELL The heart of the Latrobe Valley, Morwell boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, ﬂush with cafes and restaurants.

and burgers. Head to Moe Masala Indian & Nepalese Restaurant for exceptional curries and naan breads. Just out of town in Newborough, Raw Harvest Cafe offers a healthy and fresh menu, made from locally sourced produce.

Ambient Saltbush Restaurant & Cafe makes burgers worthy of applause: soft shell crab, pulled pork, or the vego eggplant schnitzel, and the sticky glazed beef ribs are seriously good. Vault Kitchen & Bar, named for the building’s history as a former bank, is fast earning its reputation for its succulent steaks cooked on a hot stone at your table. WHERE TO STOCK UP • Marino’s Deli has you covered with general delicatessen items, meats and cheeses 67.

TRARALGON With its leafy parks and tree-lined streets, Traralgon is a happening town. Enjoy the nightlife, see a show, graze alfresco or have a dinner to remember. At Little Prince Eating House & Bar the extensive wine list is best enjoyed with their Asian-fusion tapas. Locals rave about the dumpling selection and the salted caramel popcorn. Dine with a view over the vines of Traralgon Vineyard or by Jorg at Narkoojee. Select from their contemporary menu while you sample the award winning wines grown and made onsite. Sophisticated, charming and elegant, Neilsons Kitchen prides itself on its Gippsland-inspired, innovative menu. The sumptuous dishes are prepared with finesse and flawlessly presented. Get your brunch on at Three Little Birds Cafe with the egg-forward menu, which you can savour in a relaxed and cosy setting. Or seated amongst floor-to-ceiling shelves of books, you can be excused for thinking you’re seated in a library at The Cog… but you won’t get shushed as you relish your delicious coffee. Just out of town, Bushies Bakery is putting Glengarry on the map for its out-of-this-world pies, breads, pastries, cakes. At Easter time you’re in for a real treat with their range of hot cross buns including lemon meringue and butterscotch choc chip. EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

69.

The Star Hotel Sale is a family-friendly venue serving well-priced, quality pub fare the secret’s out for the locals. With fresh and artistic meals like seared tuna poke bowls, BBQ pork belly sliders with slaw and Korean chicken salad with kimchi, Portside Food & Wine offers modern Australian dining at its ﬁnest.

SALE A gateway to the vast Gippsland Lakes, Sale is a port town with a big cultural heart.

Frock up and head to Oneills restaurant for a special night out. The setting is intimate and reﬁned, reﬂecting the high standard of meals which are prepared with exquisite attention to detail. WHERE TO STOCK UP

EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Modern and inviting, Mister Raymond raises the bar for cafe fare. The meals are precisely executed with delicate and interesting ﬂavour combinations like pea falafel with freekeh salad and saffron yogurt, or tempura battered ﬁsh tacos with avocado and corn salsa. Located in the centre of town, Wild Honey specialises in breakfasts, wraps and salads with a focus on fresh. There is no going past the juice and smoothie bar.

•

The Criterion Hotel is a country pub with a difference, boasting gastropub meals in a beautifully refurbished hotel. There is ample alfresco seating on the upstairs verandah.

Enjoy views across the shimmering ocean, making the perfect backdrop for the impressive seafood menu at Wildﬁsh restaurant. Or grab some ﬁsh and chips to go from Port Albert Wharf Fish & Chips.

The Hunting Ground stocks handmade treats, gourmet delights and an enviable range of gluten free products, as well as excellent coffee and meals served from the cafe

PORT ALBERT The charm and rich maritime history of Port Albert is best enjoyed from the wharf.

71.

DON’T MISS FESTIVALS TINAMBA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Held annually in April, outside the Tinamba Hotel Exquisite local wines, wholesome local produce and cuisine, fabulous local music and a great crowd… the festival is a must on Gippsland’s event calendar.

HEYFIELD FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Held annually in October, Heyﬁeld Wetlands A delicious day out to sip, sample and savour a variety of food and wine, enjoy live music and local art.

ROSEDALE

HEYFIELD & COWWARR

Antiques, bookstores and eclectic gift shops give this quaint little town plenty of character.

At the base of the Southern Alps, the idyllic rural townships of Heyﬁeld and Cowwarr are packed to the rafters with country hospitality.

Cafe 3847 & Co. proudly serves the best of Gippsland’s local produce from the quirky and cosy cafe. The homemade pies and the pork sausage are the crowd pleasers. Entering the enchanting Victoria Rose Tea Rooms is like stepping into another era. The cottage gardens and sunny courtyard add to the old world charm. Be sure to try the ﬂuffy scones served with real cream and tangy raspberry jam.

Cafe 3858 in Heyﬁeld is your home away from home with its cosy decor. They serve excellent coffee and enticing, generously portioned lunches. Arrive on an empty stomach at the Cowwarr Cricket Club Hotel because with mains such as roast duck on creamy mash, crispy skin pork belly with plum sauce and Tia Maria crepes with vanilla ice cream, you’ve got some serious eating to do.

MAFFRA & TINAMBA Hustle, hustle into Coffee House 138 where punters are lining up to get a table on weekends. The cafe has a focus on fresh, healthy and inventive breakfasts and lunches, with mini meals for the mini humans. A short drive (or cycle) out of town, Tinamba Hotel is a destination restaurant, bringing home award after award for its refreshing take on traditional pub fare. The ﬁne dining restaurant serves extraordinary meals like charred 14 hour braised wagyu ox cheek, twice baked Maffra cheese soufﬂé, and local beer and bacon croquettes. Err... yum. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Grab your fermented goods, health and wholefoods from The Pickle Pot (Maffra) when you pop in for a healthy lunch or snack on the go 73.

Cafe Qu Bah

Traralgon Vineyard

SHOP 101 MID VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE, MORWELL

140 BURNETS ROAD, TRARALGON EAST

Located next to the Village Cinema 8 complex at the Mid Valley Shopping Centre in Morwell, we offer the freshest produce for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sweet treats.

Situated only 10 minutes from the Traralgon town centre, Traralgon Vineyard operates as a restaurant and function centre all year round. All ingredients are locally sourced and wines are produced onsite.

03 5133 0777 | cafequbah.com.au Hours: Daily 7.30am until late

03 5174 0557 | traralgonvineyard.com.au Hours: Friday and Saturday | Dinner Friday to Sunday | Lunch

Tinamba Hotel

The Star Hotel Sale

46 TINAMBA SEATON ROAD, TINAMBA

173 RAYMOND STREET, SALE

The Tinamba Hotel is Gippsland’s ﬁnest destination hotel. A unique dining experience of two or three course lunches featuring local produce, home-grown herbs and vegetables.

The Star Hotel has been standing proud for 125 years, with the chefs offering beautiful meals and attentive wait staff providing exceptional customer service.

03 5145 1484 | tinambahotel.com.au Hours: Lunch Wednesday to Sunday Dinner Wednesday to Saturday

03 5144 2024 | starhotelsale.com.au Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am – 1am Sunday 10am – midnight

STRATFORD Set on the Avon River, Stratford is a tranquil town with an artsy vibe. Dining is a must at Badger & Hare Cafe whose playful and cheeky style is reﬂected in their inventive menu: key lime pie milkshake, butterbing cookie sandwich affogato, or Belgian wafﬂes with sweet dukkah and white chocolate sauce. Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door has your cafe, wine bar and providore needs covered. The cafe is brimming with character and has plenty of alfresco seating in the garden. Behind the bar is an enormous range of Gippsland wines to have a tipple onsite or to take away and enjoy back home.

EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

BRIAGOLONG At the foothills of the Victorian Alps sits this idyllic country village, a base to explore the high country and the Blue Pools swimming hole. Whet your whistle at the Briagolong Hotel and sink your teeth into some hearty pub grub at this classic country pub. In a coffeeloving world, Briagolong Cafe has not forgotten the tea drinkers, fast gaining a reputation for their chai. The relaxed vibe is perfect for enjoying an all day breakfast... even your vegan bases are covered.

75.

star hotel T H E

S A L E

173 Raymond Street, Sale, Victoria 3850

Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door 76 TYERS STREET, STRATFORD

Café, deli and wine bar featuring local wine and produce. Breakfast and lunch seven days with a local produce menu, alfresco dining and pet friendly. Wheelchair accessible. 03 5145 7050 Hours: Daily 8.30am – 5.30pm

bistro

sports bar

functions

The Star Hotel has a team of talented chefs whose mission it is to provide mouth-watering meals that bring people back time and time again. Whether you order a tasting plate, entree, main meal or dessert – you won’t be disappointed. With menu specials changing fortnightly, there is always something new to try.

www.starhotelsale.com.au | ph: 03 5144 2024

Locally sourced produce, award winning food, and fine dining in an elegant setting. We also cater for smaller intimate gatherings and larger sit down celebrations.

(03) 5145 1484 4 - 6 T i n a m b a S e at o n R d , T i n a m b a tinambahotel.com.au

EAT. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Serving only the freshest produce sourced from local suppliers and farmers, to bring you an exquisite menu for Breakfast, Lunch + Dinner. Open: 7 days 8am - late Address: Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Morwell T: 5133 0777 info@cafequbah.com.au

There’s only one hero in the Neilsons Kitchen line-up: fresh Gippsland produce. Our menu brings to the table the best of this region’s offerings, whether of the earth, air, water or land. For a dining experience that appeals to all the senses, join us at Neilsons Kitchen.

KITCHEN OPEN 11:30AM UNTIL LATE TUESDAY TO SATURDAY OPEN BREAKFAST LUNCH & DINNER 5175 0100 . 13 SEYMOUR ST, TRARALGON NEILSONS.COM.AU

EAT. E A ST G I P P S L A N D

HIGHLIGHTS Boat to table Indulge in the day’s catch of seafood direct from ﬁshing trawlers moored along The Esplanade at Lakes Entrance

From the veggie patch Within a stone’s throw of Bairnsdale, you can stock up on the freshest fruit and veggies at Johnsonville Fruit Farm, Picnic Point Farm, Graze & Harvest and Blueberry Fields

East Gippsland is truly a ﬁsherman’s paradise with miles of pristine coastline, vast lake systems and plentiful rivers

Dining with views over shimmering waters is an art perfected in East Gippsland, and Metung Hotel, Floating Dragon, Pier 70, Waterwheel Beach Tavern, Croajingolong Cafe and Marlo Hotel are no exception

Dining you’d drive for Paynesville’s SARDINE eatery + bar and The Long Paddock in Lindenow are exceptional restaurants, while Origami Coffee in Mallacoota makes coffee worth driving for EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

81.

THE LONG PADDOCK LONGPADDOCK.COM.AU There is no smoke or mirrors at The Long Paddock in the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Lindenow. It’s just quality local produce, cooked right, enjoyed in an ambient cafe. The chef duo Tanya Bertino and Anton Eisenmenger have worked in a star-studded lineup of fine-dining restaurants, but The Long Paddock is about going back to basics. They honour their abundant East Gippsland home by championing its produce and creating honest flavours. The mid-century building, a former bakery, maintains its original facade and bursts with character. The dining rooms’ centrepiece is the charming old scotch oven. It has been lovingly restored and fills the air with its heavenly aromas, like a smoke signal for the food gods.

Tanya’s Tip

The meals might be simple, but they are by no means unreﬁned. The Long Paddock showcases classic French patisserie-style food, where the humble pie is king. You may ﬁnd such

delights as a Maffra cheddar tart with spinach and watercress grown around the corner, chilled gazpacho with Lakes Entrance prawn toasts or housemade gnocchi with seasonal vegetables. And there’s no going past the Sunday roast, cooked in the scotch oven. The slow, gentle heat produces a moisture-rich and ﬂavoursome roast, adding the smokiness of the wood ﬁre. Everything about the cafe ticks the boxes for warmth and traditional country hospitality. From the exceptionally friendly local staff, the casual and rustic decor, to the open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work preparing the day’s meals. This is relaxed and unpretentious dining at its best.

“Dine at Paynesville’s SARDINE eatery + bar. You can’t go past a big selection of seafood enjoyed on the deck on a balmy summer’s evening.”

EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

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Anglers Rest

Dinner Plain

Omeo ll

BAIRNSDALE

Tongio

Mallacoota

Swifts Creek

Fill your stomach from this gateway town before setting oﬀ to explore the Gippsland Lakes, pristine coastline or the high country.

C601 B500

Dargo

Bruthen

Orbost

Nowa Nowa

B620

B500

Mallacoota A1

Marlo

Bairnsdale A1

Lindenow C606 A1

Metung Paynesville

Lakes Entrance

Get your korma on at Lake Whadie Cafe. The restaurant has an extensive Indian menu and large vegetarian range, best enjoyed from the deck offering tranquil river views.

Set on the floor of a valley with fertile field upon field of leafy vegetables, is the lovely town of Lindenow.

For cafe fare, you can’t go past Yellow Belly Deli with its range of zesty salads, pies and frittatas baked daily. The courtyard has shady spots and sunny nooks, perfect for enjoying a lazy breakfast.

The Long Paddock is an unpretentious Frenchbistro style cafe, turning local produce into a feast to behold with exquisite skill. Don’t miss the Sunday roast.

If pub grub is more your scene, try The Grand Terminus or Main Hotel which takes bistro fare to the next level and offers local hero brewers Sailors Grave on tap.

LINDENOW

Lindenow Pub, in its stunning heritage building, also makes the most of the produce grown on its doorstep. The menu features seasonal specials inspired by local ﬂavours, and woodﬁred pizzas are a specialty. WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Graze & Harvest sells the area’s free range meats, daily fresh picked produce, cheese and bread EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

Atmospheric is an understatement at The Loft, where the high ceilings and exposed brickwork create an airy feel, setting the tone for the mouth-watering modern Australian menu, with a touch of the orient. Next door, The Riversleigh is open for breakfast and lunch, or all day coffee, cake and wine bar in the sunlit conservatory.

WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Head to Tasters Wine and Food for wine, made-to-order platters and hampers • Meat, fish, fruit and veggies at David Lucke’s Fresh Food Market • A range of chocolate and truffles at MMM Truffles • Paper Chase Cafe & Providore has a large range of gluten free items 85.

SARDINE eatery + bar

PAYNESVILLE At the edge of gently lapping lakes, canals and inlets, Paynesville is a favourite for boating enthusiasts. Pier 70 is impeccably located with waterfront views. Mains are imaginative, such as a salmon ﬁllet with coriander and chilli foam on an Asian salad. SARDINE eatery + bar takes the very best of local produce - especially seafood - and turns it into a work of art, under the direction of former Vue de Monde head chef, Mark Briggs. For great coffee and all day breakfast, head to The Fig Cafe. The pancakes are stacked high and the eggs are perfectly cooked.

EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

Meet our hero, the humble sardine. Locally caught, full of flavour, and the inspiration behind Paynesville’s destination restaurant, SARDINE eatery + bar. Chef Mark Briggs, former head chef of Melbourne’s renowned Vue de Monde, brings his michelin star training to this relaxed and atmospheric seafood restaurant. Each meal is a work of art, thoughtfully designed with delicate flavour combinations, and impeccably executed. The menu changes with the tides, depending on what is biting. Fresh sardines and wild-caught, local seafood are front and centre. You can expect to find fish dishes such as grilled garfish with

garlic, chilli and lemon, white bait and school prawns with orange salt and jalapeño aioli, king prawn and chorizo risotto with saffron bisque, and whole local ﬁsh with ginger, soy broth and Asian slaw. The menu doesn’t stop at seafood. Added to the line-up is charcuterie, pork belly, beef short rib, wagyu, duck, local cheese and exquisite, locally-grown vegetables, making for varied, creative meals and plenty of reasons to return.

87.

LAKES ENTRANCE Work up an appetite with boating, swimming or catching your own meal at this lively coastal town. There’s no going past the fresh local seafood while you’re in town. At Miriam’s Seafood Restaurant you can delight in local prawns, Bass Strait scallop, or the humble fish and chips. Ferryman’s Seafood Cafe is atop a floating vessel moored along the Esplanade. Choose from parmesan-crumbed scallops, lemonpepper calamari salad or the crowd-pleasing Seafood Platter. Or get your seafood fill to go from Awesome Fish & Chips for crispy batter, golden chips and melt-in-your-mouth local flake.

METUNG This small village located on a peninsula in Lake King has jaw-dropping views across shimmering lakes almost every way you look. You simply cannot beat the absolute waterfront views from Metung Hotel, your classic pub. Nautica Restaurant is a small restaurant with a big heart. Cafe by day, with scrumptious homemade baked goods, restaurant by night, putting local seafood in the spotlight: coconut prawns, soft shell crab and oysters done every which way. For a relaxed brunch, look no further than the cosy Bancroft Bites serving rave-worthy coffee and a varied menu.

Albert & Co make stellar breakfasts with modern, French-provincial decor and lakeside views. Funkey Monkey Cafe is a stand-out brunch spot, serving options like a potato rosti egg stack, sweet and savoury wafﬂes, and coconut sago. For pub fare, Central Hotel has a varied menu of hearty, good value bistro meals, overlooking the Esplanade. Or nearby in Lake Tyers, enjoy your pub meal on the deck of the Waterwheel Beach Tavern offering spectacular ocean views. Made from organic Gippsland jersey milk, Riviera Ice Cream Parlour makes a range of ﬂavours with a hint of the unusual: ANZAC bikkie, sour cherry, blood orange and honey crunch.

WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Metung Village Store has fresh produce, cheese and gourmet meats • Metung Visitor Centre and Culinaire Cooking School (Swan Reach) sell a range of preserves, chutneys and sauces EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

WHERE TO STOCK UP

• Off the Wharf and Ferry Seafoods showcase the best of locally-caught, fresh seafood 89.

GREAT ALPINE ROAD From the Gippsland Lakes to Victoria’s high country, there are exceptional dining spots worthy of a stop on the stunning drive. In Bruthen, enjoy a scenic lunch from a large deck at Bullant Brewery where the best regionally-sourced food is paired with the beer brewed onsite. The funky little Blue Bee Cafe is all about the burgers and ﬁsh and chips. Next stop: Swifts Creek. Stretch your legs at the Albion Hotel, a laid back country pub that has been winning awards for its bistro food for years, with good reason. Continue the drive through the hills to The Pressing Shed Cafe in Tongio, open for lunch on weekends over the summer months. A hidden gem, the restaurant serves thoughtful and delicate meals with heavenly mountainous views across the olive grove. A short drive on in Omeo, the iconic Golden Age Hotel does a great line of hearty steaks. Just out of town, the quaint Blue Duck Inn serves honest pub food with charming country views.

ORBOST & SURROUNDS Pretty little Orbost, set upon plains at the mouth of the Snowy River, oﬀers a range of quality dining options. Cafe highlights include Two Little Owls Cafe for an ever-changing menu of wraps, salads or heartier mains, and Cabbage Tree Cafe is your pit stop for homemade pies (oh the pies!) and cakes. Commonwealth Hotel Orbost exudes oldschool pub charm and serves classics by a Malaysian cook - don’t miss the beef rendang. Venture a little further toward the coast where the Marlo Hotel has great views from its elevated deck, cold brews and tasty pub food with a seafood-leaning menu. If you are heading toward the Gippsland Lakes, be sure to make a road stop at Mingling Waters Cafe in Nowa Nowa. It has an eclectic range of bric-a-brac on display creating a homey feel. Visitors are raving about the burgers.

EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

91.

CATCH YOUR OWN

CHOOSE LOCAL. NATURALLY GOOD.

Dine like a king on a feast that you’ve caught yourself from East Gippsland’s plentiful seas, lakes and rivers.

As you make your way around this bountiful patch of the world, keep an eye out for East Gippsland produce at retailers, restaurants and supermarkets. This logo lets you know you are buying delicious and fresh produce grown in lush soil, raised on fertile pastures, caught from abundant oceans or created by artisan producers.

THE TOP 5 1.

Visit the Gippsland Lakes, Australia’s largest inland waterway, renowned for bream, whiting and luderick, and prawns, crabs and flounder in season Head offshore with a local tour guide and reel in a catch of snapper, gummy and squid, or aim big and bring home a marlin or swordfish Make your way to the magical coastal wilderness for surf fishing along pristine stretches of coastline, or dive for abalone and sea urchins around Mallacoota Trout fish by line and fly in clear mountain streams of the high country around Dargo, Dinner Plain, Omeo and Anglers Rest Fish not biting? Make sure a visit to Off the Wharf fish shop in Lakes Entrance is on your list, for seafood fresh off the boat

EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

MALLACOOTA Mallacoota is your base for untouched, resplendent coastline, sand dunes and the world-renowned Croajingolong National Park. Origami Coffee is a dot of a coffee shop, but it boasts loads of seating in the garden where you can enjoy excellent coffee by skilled baristas. Croajingolong Cafe is your go-to breakfast joint with a beautiful view of the lake. A Mallacoota institution, Lucy’s is famed for the homemade rice noodles and Cantonese dumplings.

Picnic Point Farm

The Riversleigh

174 DREVERMANN STREET, BAIRNSDALE

1 NICHOLSON STREET, BAIRNSDALE

Located in picturesque surroundings, Picnic Point Farm is a family-run orchard specialising in tree-ripened fruit. Apples, berries and cherries are sold direct from the farm shed.

Centrally located in an iconic, centuryold building in Bairnsdale. Boutique accommodation, events, delicious lunches, coffee, cake and licenced bar in a quiet, intimate setting.

03 5152 6206 | picnicpointfarm.com.au Hours: Daily 9am  5pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday

03 5152 6966 | riversleigh.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7am  6pm Weekends and public holidays by reservation 93.

SARDINE eatery + bar

Albert & Co Coﬀee | Food | Catering

3/65 ESPLANADE, PAYNESVILLE

201 THE ESPLANADE, LAKES ENTRANCE

A restaurant showcasing an ever-changing menu of fresh, local produce by award winning chef, Mark Briggs. 03 5156 7135 | sardineeaterybar.com

Overlooking Lakes Entrance’s iconic ﬁshing ﬂeet, Albert & Co offer everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner to afternoon drinks in their Hampton-style restaurant and cocktail bar.

Hours: Tuesday 6pm til late Wednesday to Saturday 12pm til late Sunday 12pm  4pm

03 5155 1209 Hours: Open daily Dinner Wednesday to Saturday

Oﬀ The Wharf

Waterwheel Beach Tavern

51 BULLOCK ISLAND ROAD, LAKES ENTRANCE

577 LAKE TYERS BEACH ROAD, LAKE TYERS BEACH

The iconic Fishermen’s Co-Operative’s retail fish shop is committed to supply the freshest fish that is landed from the wharves of our fishing fleet direct to you, our customer.

Iconic bar and bistro offering exceptional pub grub with great ambience and character. Situated on the Ninety Mile Beach, the views are simply stunning.

03 5155 1688 | lefcol.com.au Hours: November to April daily 9.30am  5pm May to October daily 9.30am  4pm

03 5156 5855 | thewaterwheel.com.au Hours: Daily 10am til late

EAT. | EAST GIPPSLAND

Centrally located in an iconic, century-old building in Bairnsdale. Boutique accommodation, events, delicious lunches, coffee, cake and licenced bar in a quiet, intimate setting. 1 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875 PH: 03 5152 6966 E: info@riversleigh.com.au W: riversleigh.com.au

Situated on the Mitchell River ﬂats, Picnic Point Farm is a small family-owned farm specialising in tree-ripened apples. Open daily from 9 till 5, we have a wide range of apples and other seasonal crops and goodies available. Find us on social media, our website or just turn up!

174 DREVERMANN STREET, BAIRNSDALE |  PICNICPOINTAPPLE

PICNICPOINTFARM.COM.AU

DRINK. W E ST G I P P S L A N D Bistro • Tavern • Accommodation

Sit back, relax and enjoy a cold one from the sun-drenched deck, offering absolute waterfront views of Lake Tyers Beach. • Seasonal bistro menu • Family friendly with children’s meals • Complimentary courtesy bus • Wood fire in winter and generous deck perfect for summer

Open 7 days from 10am til late | www.thewaterwheel.com.au 577 Lake Tyers Beach Road, Lake Tyers Beach • 03 5156 5855

W E ST G I P P S L A N D W I N E T R A I L The wines: exceptional. The drive: unforgettable. Just a stone’s throw from Melbourne, this scenic drive weaves through rolling, pastured hills which give way to more dramatic slopes of the Victorian Alps. The countryside is punctuated with charming villages, making the perfect base to explore nearby national parks and mountain ranges.

FRESH SEAFOOD DIRECT FROM THE TRAWLERS 9:30AM – 4PM, 7 DAYS 51 bullock island road, lakes entrance • (03) 5155 1688 • lefcol.com.au

With city skylines in the rearview mirror and the land opening out before you at the fringe of West Gippsland, your ﬁrst stop is D’Angelo Estate Vineyard. You can try the wines or ciders and delight in a tapa or two if you’re feeling peckish.

A short detour from the Princes Highway takes you to Jinks Creek Winery, where the rustic and bushland settings at the foot of the Black Snake Ranges are reﬂected in the natural style of the wines.

Onwards to Cannibal Creek Vineyard. The cellar door offers a personalised tasting experience of the award winning wines. You can stock up on local produce, grab a picnic hamper to go, or enjoy lunch in the fabulous French-inspired restaurant.

Head for the hills, taking in Gypsy Creek Winery where you can sample wine and cider while enjoying the views of the idyllic country setting. Further into the foothills is Piedmont Wines where the friendly owners ensure a memorable visit. 97.

BARS & PUBS: T H E H I T L I ST Nearby, the Noojee Trestle Bridge and Toorongo Falls make the perfect excuse to stretch your legs and have a break from your wine journey.

Nayook

Closer to Warragul, Brandy Creek Estate offers an exceptional cellar door experience with tastings of the premium cool climate wines, including Tempranillo and Sparkling Pinot Gris. Enjoy a tapa or two, or take some time to unwind in the day spa.

Neerim

Neerim South

Tonimbuk

Labertouche

Tynong North

Oﬃcer

Pakenham

Jindivick

M1 M1

Nar Nar Goon Garﬁeld

Drouin East

Drouin

Warragul Drouin South

WINERIES

D’Angelo Estate Vineyard

Piedmont Wines

Cannibal Creek Vineyard

Brandy Creek Estate

Jinks Creek Winery

Our Cellar Door & Wine Bar

Gypsy Creek Winery

Ripplebrook Winery

DRINK. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Just south of Warragul is Our Cellar Door & Wine Bar which has recently opened with tastings of Gippsland wines, including those made on Wild Dog Estate where the cellar door is located. Feel free to get distracted by the onsite day spa and wellness retreat. The ﬁnal stop is Ripplebrook Winery, located in the undulating hills south of Drouin. Sample the wines at the cellar door housed in a quaint shed, indulge in a delicious woodﬁred pizza or Sicilian-style tapas, or enjoy an antipasto platter on your private picnic under the trees.

Bank Coﬀee House and Wine Bar, Warragul The rooftop courtyard is a great drinking space

Bar Twenty 4, Trafalgar A cosy and inviting nook to enjoy a beverage

Courthouse Restaurant and Garden Bar, Warragul Atmospheric with a lovely courtyard to enjoy a drink on a warm evening

Noojee Hotel, Noojee Relaxed, friendly country pub with a courtesy bus if you’ve imbibed

Wally Pub, Walhalla Inviting and laid-back country pub

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CANNIBAL CREEK VINEYARD CANNIBALCREEK.COM.AU

Where rows of vines meet shady gums under the granite ridge of Mt Cannibal, you’ll ﬁnd Cannibal Creek Vineyard. The single estate producer is home to a winery, cellar door and French-inspired restaurant, and a dedicated cellar tasting room (opening late 2018). The idyllic country setting is warm and inviting, and belies its short distance from Melbourne. It’s easy to pop in for a tasting of the award-winning wines, as the cellar door is open seven days. Owners and winemakers Kirsten and Pat Hardiker are never far away, and offer a personalised tasting experience of Blanc de Blancs Sparkling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot and Vin de Liqueur. The passion they have for making wine is palpable. Built into the hill, underneath the restaurant, is a new tasting room set to open late 2018. Enjoy the romance of the cellar surrounded by barrels during a personalised wine tasting.

Kirsten’s Tip “Currently on my must-visit list are Hogget Kitchen and Ripplebrook, and further aﬁeld Dirty Three Wines, Narkoojee and Lightfoot & Sons.”

DRINK. | WEST GIPPSLAND

Be sure to arrive on an empty stomach, because the restaurant is not to be missed. The food pays homage to the French heritage of Chef Philippe Desrettes and

produce grown and raised in Gippsland. The Michelin-trained chef perfects the balance of refined, sophisticated fare, while being relaxed and approachable. The ever-changing menu is influenced by what the kitchen garden and local producers are harvesting. Delight in housemade trout rillettes with potato blinis, or local free range Jindi Pig pork belly with fennel and green lentils, then finish with locally foraged mulberry madeleines or the popular lemon tart. The restaurant’s large glass windows and generous deck offer views over the sloping hillside toward gently undulating farmland. Grassland and gum trees form a wildlife corridor, and it is not unusual to spot a kangaroo or see a flash of colour from the resident crimson rosellas. They had us at French. C’est no more.

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DRINK.

BARS & PUBS: T H E H I T L I ST

PHILLIP ISLAND

Grenache Wine Bar, Cowes A sophisticated space with an enormous wine selection, craft beers and tapas menu

Cowes

Phillip Island RSL, Cowes

Freshly created boutique ales are on offer at Ocean Reach Brewing, created by “unapologetic ﬂavour junkies”. The food truck style menu is matched with the beers and features burgers, tacos and buffalo wings.

Ventnor

Sunet Strip

Smiths Beach Surf Beach

Summerlands

Newhaven

Cape Woolamai

WINERIES

San Remo

Phillip Island Brewing specialises in small batch, handcrafted beers, which can be sampled at Rusty Water Restaurant and Bar. Stay for a beer or two with some bar snacks, or get comfortable for an à la carte dining experience at this acclaimed restaurant.

Adult-only terrace with table service, wines on tap and a cocktail selection

The Trumpet Bar, Cowes Diverse range of cocktails in an intimate setting, with music and entertainment

Westernport Hotel, San Remo A bustling pub with live music and regular events

BREWERIES

Phillip Island Winery

Ocean Reach Brewing

Purple Hen Wines

Phillip Island Brewing at Rusty Water

PHILLIP ISLAND DRINK TRAIL It’s all in a day’s work making your way around the Phillip Island Drink Trail, with plenty of time for side trips to explore the island’s famed beaches and wildlife. At the end of a quiet country road, you will ﬁnd Purple Hen Wines overlooking the tranquil waters of Western Port. The large, open cellar door takes in a stunning view and is open seven days a week. DRINK. | PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island Winery has a cottage-style cellar door with beautiful views over their countryside location to Berrys Beach. Drop in for a tasting or stay for a glass alongside a ploughman’s platter of meats and cheese, smoked trout or homemade dips. 103.

DRINK. SOUTH GIPPSLAND

S O U T H G I P P S L A N D D R I N KS T R A I L Some parts of the world are just meant for growing grapes, distilling spirits and brewing beer and cider. Crafty and passionate growers and makers have ďŹ&#x201A;ocked to South Gippsland and are responsible for a booming drink scene. This hilly countryside is crammed with ambient cellar doors and rustic breweriesâ&#x20AC;Ś you may just need to take a few days to make your way around the trail. Nestled among the hills-thatknow-no-bounds, is Bass River Winery where you can taste the premium single estate wines at the cellar door. They even make limoncello, grappa and a

dessert-style Iced Riesling. Just down the road is The Gurdies Winery where the picnic tables offer a fantastic vantage point toward the shimmering waters of Western Port.

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Lang 1 Lang

Next in line is Howler Brewing Company, with a focus on local and natural, the craft beers are crisp and refreshing, without any of the nasties. The restaurant offers a menu designed to get the best out of your beer.

Poowong 3 2

Grantville

4 2

Loch 4 3

Mirboo North

Down a long winding driveway you’ll ﬁnd family-run Bass Valley Estate, where an authentic experience is offered by those who grow the grapes and serve the wine.

Korumburra Leongatha 7

Archies Creek

Koonwarra

Kilcunda 13

10 11

Wonthaggi

Meeniyan

Inverloch

Toora

Foster Fish Creek 9

Heading to Loch, your ﬁrst port of call is Gippsland Wine Company. These guys make premium wines from their local vineyards. The cellar door is warm and inviting, and you can enjoy wine by the glass (or bottle) with a BYO picnic in the scenic grounds which overlook Loch Valley. When wine won’t do, whet your whistle at Loch Brewery & Distillery. Traditional craft ales are served by hand pumps, and you can try gin, vodka and single malt whisky. Just down the road, Korumburra will welcome its very own brewery, Burra Brewery in mid 2018.

WINERIES 1

Bass River Winery

10 The Wine Farm

The Gurdies Winery

11 Drummonds Corrina Vineyard

Bass Valley Estate

12 Dirty Three Wines

Gippsland Wine Company

13 Harman Wines

Clair de Lune Vineyard

djinta djinta Winery

Lucinda Estate

Howler Brewing Company

Bellvale Wine +

Loch Brewery & Distillery

Waratah Hills Vineyard

Burra Brewery (opens mid 2018)

Grand Ridge Brewery

Gurneys Cider

DRINK. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

B E E R + OT H E R B R E W S

+ Open by appointment only

Head toward Leongatha and you’ll pass a couple of boutique wineries: Clair de Lune Vineyard which employs a minimalist intervention approach to growing grapes, and djinta djinta Winery with an onsite restaurant. While they don’t have cellar door, we must mention Bass Phillip, who produce truly exceptional quality wines, and some of the best examples in South Gippsland. If your tummy is rumbling at this point, it is an excellent time to drop in to Lucinda Estate. They won’t waste your time with mediocre pizzas they source exceptional quality ingredients from nearby producers of cheese, olives and free range, pasture-fed meats. These local ﬂavours pair beautifully with the wines, and they even make ciders using organic heritage apples and pears. 107.

Make sure you call ahead so you can visit off-thebeaten-track Bellvale Wine, where the passion to produce the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is the driving force behind the winery. Then on to Mirboo North, where you can sample a paddle of Grand Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek has a Ridge Brewery beers made from pure Gippsland gorgeous outlook over vine-covered slopes, and mountain water in the rustic venue. you can sample their high-end, premium wines and enjoy a cheese board. The Pinot Noir is a standout. A lovely drive through the countryside and verdant valleys will take you to Gurneys Cider in Foster. Open throughout the summer, The Wine Farm Crisp, unique batch ciders are on tasting, made is all about making the wines they want to drink from the farm’s heritage apples. It is also an themselves. The wines show provenance, from the excellent excuse for a leg-stretch on your way to crunch of the soil to the freshness of the climate. the world-renowned Wilsons Promontory. Drummonds Corrina Vineyard wins points for being the absolute cutest cellar door. The quaint shoe-box sized cottage is full of bric-a-brac, complete with a pot bellied stove. There is minimal intervention in the wines to let the ﬂavour of the terroir speak for itself. The duo behind Dirty Three Wines have found their calling. The winery is named for the three close-by patches of dirt where their grapes are grown. They make Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, but really, it’s all about the Pinot Noir. Downright dirty and delicious Pinot Noir. The cellar door is a contemporary space in the heart of Inverloch, and is perfect for enjoying a tipple of wine, local beers, gin and coffee.

DRINK. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

A short drive will have you at Harman Wines and sipping their huge range of cool climate wines in under 10 minutes. The cellar door is not only for tastings - it’s a place to kick back and stay awhile. They sell ciders, spirits and coffee, and have games to enjoy on the lawns. It all happens on a Sunday where the wood-ﬁred pizzas keep on coming, and live music adds to the vibe.

B A R S & P U B S : T H E H I T L I ST Archies Couch, Archies Creek Ambient bar serving craft beers and 100% local Gippsland wines; live music on Sundays in the garden Fish Creek Hotel, Fish Creek Stunning Art Deco building with bistro meals Poowong Hotel, Poowong The only pub in a 20km radius, this country pub has plenty of charm and regular Sunday jam sessions

RACV Inverloch Resort, Inverloch The Zenith Lounge hosts a happy hour every night and live music on Fridays with dramatic ocean views Kilcunda Hotel, Kilcunda The ocean views from the deck of this seaside pub are spectacular

The Bayside Lady, Inverloch Atmospheric beer garden serving drinks from the vintage caravan The Wonthaggi Club Live music and events, sports bar and relaxed bistro dining

Welshpool Hotel McCartins Hotel, Leongatha Family-friendly venue and a favourite Family friendly with kids play room, beer garden and even of the locals boat parking Royal Standard Hotel, Toora Large sun-drenched beer garden at this gorgeous heritage hotel

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LOCH BREWERY & DISTILLERY LOCHBREWERY.COM.AU

Whether you feel like a frothy or something a little stronger, Loch Brewery & Distillery is a must for the connoisseur of all brews. Try traditional-style ales, a range of gin and even an Australian vodka. It also lays claim to the ﬁrst single malt whisky that the region has produced. Where the vibrant green hills of South Gippsland roll on tirelessly, you will ﬁnd the village of Loch. Charmed by Loch’s beauty, owners Melinda Davies and Craig Johnson moved to the area to establish the brewery and distillery of their dreams. The beers and brews speak for themselves, but the key to this gem is in the tasting experience. Seated amongst alembic pot stills and distillery equipment in the cellar door, you can meet the makers and enjoy a personalised tasting while you chat one-on-one.

Mel’s Tip

There are sample paddles for the beer, served lovingly from casks through traditional hand pumps. Simple methods and traditional techniques are at the fore of each creation.

Enjoy a gin ﬂight, served with tonic water, ice and citrus. The gin has a distinctly local ﬂavour, using a range of Australian natives from nearby Boolarra, along with traditional gin botanicals. Don’t pass up the chance to sample a nip of the region’s only single malt whisky, recently released. Every barrel is uniquely batched and offers a different tasting experience. The cellar door is the former Union Bank building, bursting with old world charm, and the brewing space is located next door. Stretched between the buildings is a large, leafy garden, practically begging to be sat in with a drink in hand. Establishing a brewery and distillery was a romantic dream bold and true - and it has paid off.

“You can’t go past a glass of Sparkling Pet Nat from our neighbours, The Wine Farm, paired with a local cheese.”

DRINK. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

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Bass River Winery

Howler Brewing Company

Dirty Three Wines

Harman Wines

1835 DALYSTONGLEN FORBES ROAD, GLEN FORBES

47 WESTERNPORT ROAD, LANG LANG

64 CASHIN STREET, INVERLOCH

612 KORUMBURRAINVERLOCH ROAD, WATTLE BANK

We believe crafting great wines is a journey without a ﬁnal destination, because we’re always moving the goal posts further. Visit Bass River to experience our pursuit of perfection.

Fiercely independent. Craft beer, delicious food. Brews are fresh, small batch and packed full of malt, hops and yeast. Meals, platters, local wines and produce.

We are all about dirt and Pinot Noir. Come and experience our wines in our urban cellar door, for a tour of wine and produce around Gippsland.

A family friendly winery and cellar door near Inverloch. Wine tastings and local produce with a view. Wood Fired Pizzas and regular live music.

03 5678 8252 | bassriverwinery.com Hours: Daily 10am  5pm (except Wednesday) or by appointment

0447 478 585 | howlerbrewing.com.au Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12pm til late

03 5606 8128 | dirtythreewines.com.au Hours: Thursday to Sunday 11am  5.30pm Daily throughout summer holidays

03 5611 3857 | harmanwines.com.au Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am  5pm Daily throughout January

Gippsland Wine Company

Loch Brewery & Distillery

Lucinda Estate

Grand Ridge Brewery

6835 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY, LOCH

44 VICTORIA ROAD, LOCH

108 PARR STREET, LEONGATHA

1 BAROMI ROAD, MIRBOO NORTH

Beautiful wine from boutique vineyards, created by artisan winemakers. Come for a tasting or bring your own picnic and enjoy a glass overlooking the vines.

Loch Brewery & Distillery is a producer of traditional ales, single malt whisky, gin and ﬁne spirits. Enjoy the personalised tasting experience at the historic cellar door.

Wines and cider paired with delicious pizza, platters and cheese, showcasing the produce of our passionate local farmers and producers.

0477 555 235 | gippslandwinecompany.com Hours: Friday to Sunday 11am – 5pm or by appointment Daily throughout January

0414 590 474 | lochbrewery.com.au Hours: Friday to Sunday 11am – 4pm

0417 337 270 | lucindaestate.com.au Hours: Lunch and tastings Friday to Sunday (every day in January) Tastings by appointment at other times

Grand Ridge Brewery’s full restaurant and bar sits in a rustic, renovated 1920’s butter factory. High-quality craft beer and ciders, no added chemicals or preservatives. Triple open ﬁreplace. Live music. Bistro and pizzas. Gourmet local produce. Art display.

DRINK. | SOUTH GIPPSLAND

03 5668 2222 | grand-ridge.com.au Hours: Daily 11am – midnight 113.

“A story in every bottle”

GIPPSLAND WINE SHOW 2017

Beautiful wine from boutique vineyards, created by artisan winemakers. Loch Village Moyarra

Wyanga Jeetho Maﬀra

BASS RIVER 1835 PINOT NOIR 2016 GOLD MEDAL : BEST IN CLASS ‘PINOT NOIR’ TROPHY : BEST RED WINE TROPHY : BEST WINE OF SHOW

BASS RIVER 1835 SINGLE HOUSE BLOCK C H A R D O N N AY 2 0 1 6 GOLD MEDAL : BEST IN CLASS ‘CHARDONNAY’ TROPHY : BEST WHITE WINE

1835 DALYSTON-GLEN FORBES RD GLEN FORBES VIC 3990 T 03 5678 8252

6835 South Gippsland Highway, Loch, Victoria 0477 555 235 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday - Sunday gippslandwinecompany.com

I N F O @ B A S S R I V E R W I N E R Y. C O M . A U W W W. B A S S R I V E R W I N E R Y. C O M C E L L A R D O O R O P E N T H U R S DAY - T U E S DAY 1 0 . 0 0 A M – 5 . 0 0 PM .

Delicious Wines * Wood Fired Pizzas * Live Music * Amazing Views * Family friendly * Functions * Local Produce

OPEN 11am—5pm weekends WOOD FIRED PIZZAS Regular LIVE MUSIC 612 Korumburra Inverloch Road Wattle Bank (C441) Ph: (03) 5611 3857 www.harmanwines.com.au Check our website for more information and for our live music dates

LY F I E R C ED E N T N INDEPE

Craft beer and cider with local wines & delicious food made with locally sourced ingredients.

Howler Brewing Company. A unique venue that caters for all your function needs, from birthdays to weddings and anything in between.

Just oﬀ the highway, 1 hour from Melbourne on your way to Phillip Island or Wilsons Prom.

Open 5 days, Wed – Sun, 12 noon till late.

Come and enjoy our great atmosphere and friendly service. WE’R E

Visit us at: 47 Westernport Road, Lang Lang, 3984 Phone: 0447 478 585 www.howlerbrewing.com.au Follow us

@howlerbrewing

Discover Lucinda Estate Try artisan wines and cider made on site. Indulge in delicious pizza showcasing the ﬁnest ingredients grown and made locally. Enjoy the panoramic views across the Tarwin River to Gippsland’s rolling green hills.

lucindaestate.com.au | 0417 337 270 | 108 Parr St, Leongatha, VIC

DRINK. CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

WINERIES 1

Toms Cap Vineyard

Traralgon Vineyard*

Narkoojee

Blue Gables Vineyard

Glenmaggie Wines

Avon Ridge Vineyard

Mount Moornapa+

Briagolong C494

Tinamba Heyﬁeld

Stratford

Maﬀra

+Open by appointment only * Tastings not available; purchase C105

by glass or bottle

Sale Rosedale Traralgon Morwell C482

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND WINE TRAIL Starting in the lush, ferny glades of cool temperate rainforest, passing through the Gippsland plains and ending in the foothills of Victoria’s high country, this wine trail passes through spectacular and everchanging scenery. Toms Cap Vineyard is a small, boutique vineyard where you can sample the estate-grown wines at the cellar door. The property has a restaurant set amongst the gardens with views to the scenic vineyard. A visit to nearby Tarra Bulga National Park is must. Stroll amongst impressive fern trees and giant mountain ash and across the graceful suspension bridge over lush gullies. DRINK. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Head north through the Latrobe Valley to Traralgon Vineyard. It doesn’t have a cellar door, but the spectacular vantage point over the sloping vineyard and lake is reason enough to visit and indulge in a glass of wine at the restaurant. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Narkoojee boasts many accolades for their premium wines. Enjoy

the impressive backdrop while you sample the full range of current release wines at the cellar door, or stay for lunch at the onsite restaurant, by Jorg. Recharge at scenic Lake Glenmaggie, a boating, swimming and picnic hotspot, before continuing the journey to Blue Gables Vineyard. Situated high on a hill, the vineyard experiences temperature

extremities that create elegant wines, best paired with their wood ﬁred pizzas. Ten minutes down the line is Glenmaggie Wines. If you’re lucky you’ll get to meet passionate owners Tony and Fleur, who have a hands on philosophy. They guide the grape growing cycle from start to ﬁnish and the labour of love has paid off with their premium, award winning wines.

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Set amongst rolling pastures of the Avon River Valley, Avon Ridge Vineyard offers a superb vista to enjoy the quality wines. Feeling indecisive? That’s ok, because you can try red, white, sparkling or even cider. The restaurant produces an innovative menu from locally sourced ingredients making for a delicious breakfast or lunch.

BARS & PUBS: T H E H I T L I ST Briagolong Hotel, Briagolong A good sized beer garden, chock full of country hospitality

House of Frank, Traralgon Your journey ends at Mt Moornapa Wines in the foothills of Briagolong, specialising in Chardonnay, Traminer, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Merlot. This is the perfect stepping point to enjoy the tranquil Blue Pool, a large natural pool in a gorge on Freestone Creek.

Enjoy a drink in a classy and intimate lounge setting

Little Prince, Traralgon Savour a wine with a tapa in this bustling wine bar

Portside Food + Wine, Sale Relaxed and atmospheric with a Friday happy hour

The 3844, Traralgon Atmospheric lounge and cocktail bar with beer garden

The Criterion, Sale Live music every Friday and Saturday night in the main bar

The Star Hotel, Sale Your family-friendly pub with an enormous local wine selection

Vault Kitchen & Bar, Morwell Live music on Friday evenings, which coincides with happy hour

Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door, Stratford Arguably the biggest wine selection you’ll get in a small country town DRINK. | CENTRAL GIPPSLAND

Narkoojee Winery & Restaurant

Toms Cap Vineyard Retreat

220 FRANCIS ROAD, GLENGARRY

322 LAYS ROAD, WILLUNG SOUTH

A magniﬁcent setting to enjoy award winning Gippsland wines, and a relaxed modern European dining experience at our restaurant ‘by Jorg’ overlooking the vines.

Four accommodation options, two restaurants and a cellar door. Enjoy lunch on the deck or lawns admiring the view and our award winning wines.

03 5192 4257 | narkoojee.com Hours: Cellar Door daily 10.30am – 4.30pm Lunch Thursday to Sunday Dinner Friday (seasonal) and Saturday

03 5194 2215 | tomscap.com.au Hours: Vineyard & accommodation daily Restaurants Friday to Sunday & public holidays Cellar Door Thursday to Monday 10am – 4pm or by appointment

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RESTAURANT

CELLAR DOOR

WEDDINGS

EVENTS

escape to toms cap

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

toms cap is an award winning boutique vineyard retreat surrounded

JAMES HALLIDAY RATED 2018

by the forests of the Strzelecki Ranges, the ninety mile beach at Woodside & the natural flora and fauna of the Tarra Bulga National Park. The property features 100 acres of rolling green paddocks with seven acres of vines; twenty acres of planted blue gums and four secluded cottages offering exclusive and award winning accommodation.

A family run winery, crushing exclusively estate grown fruit. We are the winemakers too of course. Opening Hours : Sundays 12 - 5pm. Our new Cellar Door facility is currently under construction and we look forward to hosting many more visitors in the future. Follow us on facebook to see our progress.

Glenmaggie Wines 439 Mclachlans Road, Tinamba West, 3860 | Fleur: 0437 357 050 or | Tony : 0417 920 212 | glenmaggiewines.com

wine + restaurants accommodation weddings + functions opening hours:

contact:

Vineyard & Accommodation: 7 days Restaurant: Friday to Sunday Cellar Door: Thursday to Monday 10am-4pm or by appointment

322 Lays Road, Willung South, 3847 03 5194 2215 info@tomscap.com.au www.tomscap.com.au

DRINK. E A ST G I P P S L A N D

Overlooking the iconic Gippsland landscape of grapevines and the Avon River Valley’s rolling pastures, Avon Ridge is more than a vineyard, it’s an experience.

E AST G I P P S L A N D D R I N KS T R A I L

Restaurant & Cellar Door Wednesday to Sundays 9am - 5pm For breakfast, lunch & wine tastings. We welcome the whole family including the dog.

Sundy Sippers Every third Sunday of the month. Free live music from 1pm - 5pm. Wine Not?

446 Maffra - Stratford Road, Maffra, VIC 3860 | 03 5141 1146

www.avonridgevineyard.com.au

Many wineries of East Gippsland are clustered around the Gippsland Lakes, perfect for leisurely days spent exploring the towns of Bairnsdale, Metung and Lakes Entrance. Wineries and breweries are peppered along the Great Alpine Road, tucked into the gently sloping foothills and magniﬁcent peaks. For those adventurous in spirit, towns along the way make the perfect base for hiking, camping, ﬁshing and even rafting down the mighty Mitta Mitta. With all these physical pursuits, you’ll be in need of a cleansing ale. Go on, you’ve earned it. Start the journey at Lightfoot & Sons Wines’ stylish cellar door. The tasting space connects beautifully with the region, using reclaimed timber from the old Calulu Bridge and Gippsland Lakes jetties. The exposed position on a limestone cliff creates both exceptional views and

excellent conditions for producing ﬁne wines, which can be enjoyed with a local tasting platter on the deck. It’s worth a quick visit to Sarsﬁeld Estate Vineyard & Winery where you can grab a few bottles for home. 125.

Dinner Plain 2

Omeo

Swifts Creek

At Nicholson River Winery, the wines reﬂect the characters unique to the area while paying homage to a European style. There is an extensive range of wines on tasting at the cellar door, complete with local cheese and antipasto platters which can be enjoyed in the picnic area overlooking the Nicholson River.

B500

Buchan

Orbost

Nowa Nowa

Bruthen B620

A1 B500

Lindenow

Lake Tyers

Bairnsdale

75km to Noorinbee Marlo

Lakes Entrance

Metung Paynesville

WINERIES

BREWERIES

Lightfoot & Sons Wines

Bullant Brewery

Sarsﬁeld Estate Winery +*

Blizzard Brewing Company

Nicholson River Winery

Tambo Wine

Ensay Winery

Wyanga Park Winery

Noorinbee Selection Vineyards+

DRINK. | EAST GIPPSLAND

+Open by appointment only * Tastings not available; purchase by glass or bottle

Just down the way is Tambo Wine. A long hunt and a lot of research brought owners Bill and Pam Williams to this very spot, their “warm site in a cool area”, allowing them to produce fine wines with a sense of place. Heading toward Bruthen, the land starts to open out to hilly countryside, passing through pockets of magnificent bush land. Vistas of this beautiful patch can be enjoyed from the expansive deck at Bullant Brewery, whose beers are full flavoured, hopforward and very easy to drink. Have a tasting paddle to sample the 10 or so beers made on-site and choose from a food menu to match. Wyanga Park Winery is Gippsland’s oldest winery, where a range of award winning wines, including the famed frozen Muscat, are served at the cellar door. The winery can be reached by the Wyanga Park Winery Cruise, departing from Lakes Entrance. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you make your way up the Great Alpine Road. Call in at Ensay Winery’s rammed earth cellar door to taste the Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are grown and made on the estate. 127.

Albion Hotel, Swifts Creek

SAILORS GRAVE BREWING

Laid back country pub with hospitality to boot

SAILORSGRAVEBREWING.COM

BARS & PUBS: T H E H I T L I ST

Buchan Caves Hotel, Buchan The town’s only pub has a big heart, rebuilt with funds raised by the community

Commonwealth Hotel Orbost, Orbost Authentic pub with period charm, wrapped in a cast iron verandah

Golden Age, Omeo

For those heading on to Mount Hotham and beyond, a stop at Blizzard Brewery in Dinner Plain is a must. With bragging rights for Australia’s highest brewery, the craft beers are brewed with pure waters and melted snow of the Victorian Alps.

This splendid Art Deco hotel oozes with the warmth of Gippsland’s high country

Marlo Hotel, Marlo The elevated sun-drenched deck boasts views over the Snowy River estuary

Metung Hotel, Metung If you’re heading to the Wilderness Coast, you’ll ﬁnd Noorinbee Selection Vineyards in Cann River. This small producer hangs its hat on some impressive awards for their interesting varietals including Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

Absolute waterfront views of the lakes to go with your beer

Paynesville Wine Bar, Paynesville An upmarket venue with frequent live music and views across McMillan Strait

Waterwheel Beach Tavern, Lake Tyers The views don’t come much better than from the deck of this country pub DRINK. | EAST GIPPSLAND

Along the banks of the Snowy River where the plains meet the sea, is the town of Orbost. And in that pretty little town, there’s an old butter factory. And in that little butter factory, beer is being made. Beer that is rooted in the ﬂavours of its bountiful home. Chris and Gab Moore make beers that are uniquely inspired by the land by incorporating local produce from nearby farms, and wild yeasts from their family orchard and surrounds. Foraged foods are a hallmark, using indigenous botanicals, salt, seaweed and sea life. Though the beers are adventurous in spirit, they are easy-drinking, delicate brews. The core beer range includes Drowned Man IPA, Down She Gose, Southern Right

Ale, Sou’East Draught, plus a range of seasonal, limited edition beers. You can’t visit, not just yet, but you can enjoy one of Sailors Grave’s magniﬁcent creations from nearby Marlo Hotel, The Central Hotel and Albert & Co in Lakes Entrance, Metung’s Nautica Restaurant and The Waterwheel Beach Tavern. Check out sailorsgravebrewing.com for stockists.

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LIGHTFOOT & SONS WINES LIGHTFOOTWINES.COM Do they grow grapes? Check. Do they make wine? They sure do. From 100% homegrown fruit, in fact, and the winemaking takes place entirely onsite. Brothers Rob and Tom Lightfoot grow the grapes, run the vineyard and sell the wine. They are producing exceptional wines that deliver their cool climate promise with a delicate and nuanced flavour profile. The wine is a reflection of the vineyard location itself, highly exposed on a limestone cliff. (For the wine buffs, the terroir is terra rossa over limestone.) The seabreeze has a moderating effect on the temperature in the vineyard, allowing the grapes to ripen with excellent balance. The vineyard’s elevated position is also a bonus for visitors, with spectacular views across gently undulating farmland toward the Mitchell River.

Rob’s Tip

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz are best suited to the conditions, but a twenty year history of grape growing has allowed them to begin experimenting with more obscure varieties such as Gamay and

Mondeuse. They have even done a collaboration with their neighbours Sailors Grave Brewing to make a Pinot Noir beer. Level: Full hipster. The industrial-style cellar door opened in late 2017, so now visitors can experience the wines on the estate. All wines are available for tasting and can be purchased by the glass. While you’re there, take a walk among the rows of vines and take a peek through the windows at the working winery. The cellar door experience is best enjoyed with a glass of wine and a local tasting plate on the deck. With views like these you’ll want to stay for days.

“Prawns fresh from Gippsland Lakes over summer... the best you can get. Paired with a local Chardonnay. Bloody beautiful.”

DRINK. | EAST GIPPSLAND

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BUCHAN CAVES HOTEL

You’ll get a generous hit of community spirit with your beer at the Buchan pub. When the historic hotel was destroyed by ﬁre in 2014, locals rallied around to rebuild their new watering hole, because a town with no pub is like a pub with no beer. The Buchan Caves Hotel is named for the renowned Buchan Caves, a spectacular underground system of limestone caves. The pub serves many cave-seekers who drop in for an ale, and is also the guts of the Buchan community.

army of passionate locals and tradespeople volunteering labour, the community has ensured the survival of the town’s only pub.

Today, the cosy pub is serving hearty meals with live music most weekends. Outside, weathered When the original pub burnt down, timber and rusted corrugated locals began a crowdfunding iron walls are a nod to the former campaign for the construction of pub’s historic past, creating an the new pub. A booming success, inviting nook to enjoy a cold the campaign reached its target one. The beer has never tasted and then some. Together with an so good.

DRINK. | EAST GIPPSLAND

Lightfoot & Sons

Nicholson River Winery

717 WY YUNGCALULU ROAD, BAIRNSDALE

20 CABERNET CLOSE, NICHOLSON

Family owned and operated winery in the Gippsland Lakes district, specialising in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. All wines are 100% estate grown, made and bottled.

An award-winning winery in the heart of the Gippsland Lakes region. European-styled Australian wines for people looking for wines that step outside the mainstream.

03 5156 9205 | lightfootwines.com Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11am – 5pm Daily from 27th December to 31st January Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day

0409 568 241 | nicholsonriverwinery.com.au Hours: Generally daily 10am – 4pm Please phone ahead in non-holiday periods and winter months

W YA N G A PA R K W I N E RY & HENRY’S CAFE

03 5155 1508 248 BAADES RD, LAKES ENTRANCE INFO@WYANGAPARK.COM.AU

From 1978 a grape-growing hobby slowly began to take over our lives. Today nine grape varieties are grown on the estate and turned into internationally acclaimed, European styled wines. Our small batch wines are distinctive, full of flavour and great food styles. We welcome you to our cellar door where we can show you how to enjoy wine more with our concept of â&#x20AC;&#x153;eating wineâ&#x20AC;?. Indulge in a local cheese and antipasto platter whilst savouring the superb views over the Nicholson River Valley.

Open weekends 10am to 5pm, weekdays 10am to 4pm Please phone ahead in non-holiday periods and winter months

20 Cabernet Close, Nicholson 3882 0409 568 241

NICHOLSONRIVERWINERY.COM.AU

TRARALGON VINEYARD RESTAURANT | CORPORATE/ PRIVATE FUNCTIONS | WINE Cellar Door, Vineyard and Winery

Traditional Ales • Single Malt Whisky • Gin • Fine Spirits Journey through the rolling hills of South Gippsland Visit the historic cellar door for a relaxed and individual tasting experience Fri - Sat - Sun 11 - 4pm 44 Victoria Road, Loch VIC 3945 | lochbrewery.com.au | Phone: 0414 590 474