Gippsland
Since Regional Migration Australia is based in the beautiful region of Gippsland, it goes without saying that we have started out ‘Spotlight on a region’ posts in our own backyard!
Gippsland occupies the vast eastern corner of Victoria, extending from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to the New South Wales border. The region has natural landscapes of unparalleled beauty, attracting 10.8 million visitors each year.
Gippsland boasts premium farmland, mountains, lakes, bushland, wildlife and beaches. The region is well known for producing the highest quality local produce, from the milk that makes its famous gourmet cheeses, to the berry farms, seafood co-ops and organic orchards across the region.
Gippsland has a population of approximately 271,266, and is approximately 2 hours drive from Melbourne’s CBD, accessible by road and rail services.
Major Attractions
Phillip Island Nature Park – Visit Little Penguins, see koalas in the wild, explore walking trails and more.
Wilsons Promontory – the southernmost tip of mainland Australia.
Buchan Caves Reserve on Krauatungalung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage. Discover a honeycomb of spectacular limestone formations carved by an underground river almost 400 million years ago at Buchan Caves.
Croajingolong National Park follows the remote coast of far-east Victoria and is home to ancient forests, pristine inlets, giant sand dunes and abundant wildlife. Canoe, kayak or boat to explore Tamboon, Mallacoota and Wingan Inlet. Camp at Thurra River, walk the Wilderness Coast or step back in time at Point Hicks Lightstation.
Tarra Bulga National Park is one of only four major areas of cool temperate rainforest in the state.
Walhalla is a small town in Victoria, Australia, founded as a gold-mining community in late 1862, and at its peak, home to around 4,000 residents. As of 2016, the town has a population of 20 permanent residents.
Port Welshpool’s historic Long Jetty is an iconic destination in the Prom Country (South Gippsland) region. As you arrive in town, the Long Jetty is unmissable, and its extensive 800 metre stretch out to the waters of Corner Inlet provides a delightful photo opportunity.
The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge was built in 1916 when the existing rail line from Melbourne to Bairnsdale was extended to Orbost. This 97km Bairnsdale to Orbost extension through rugged terrain was reputed to have been the most difficult rail project undertaken in Victoria. In service for over 60 years the bridge was damaged by bushfire in 1980, with the last train crossing in 1987.
Gumbuya World is an amusement park in Tynong North, Victoria, near Pakenham, in Victoria, Australia.
Yarram Street Art – World renowned street and silo artist Heesco Khosnaran was invited by artist & film maker Wayne Tindall to transform the entire town of Yarram in Victoria over a four-week period in March 2020.
Old Gippstown – This historic town is a collection of authentic buildings dating back from the 1840s through to the 1930s. The site covers 8 acres and features several National Trust classified buildings and one of the best collections of horse-drawn vehicles and farm equipment in Australia. It also includes the Dr Andrew’s (the ’father’ of Yallourn) collection and the Narracan Mechanics’ Institute library.
Den of Nargun – Gippsland is known for it’s Aboriginal cultural and heritage sites. The Den of Nargun is a sacred Koori site on the Bataluk Trail of sites in Gippsland. Legend has it The Nargun is a large female creature who lives in a cave behind a waterfall in the Mitchell River. The Den of Nargun is a place of great cultural significance to the Gunaikurnai people, especially the women of the tribe. The walkout of the Den Of Nargun is quite challenging.
The Gippsland Lakes – The tranquil Gippsland Lakes system is the ultimate playground for all. Stretching out over 400 square kilometres, the lakes are a network of inland waterways. The lakes system, considered the largest inland Lakes in Australia consist of three magnificent lakes – Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria and Lake King. The Gippsland Lakes meet the oceans of Bass Strait at the popular tourist town, Lakes Entrance.
Employment
Gippsland’s economy is predominantly based around natural resources and commodities, with key industry sectors including agriculture, forestry, dairy and pastoral industries, fishing, and coal mining, oil and gas extraction and processing. The agribusiness sector is a significant employer in the region, with over a third of Gippsland’s business involved in agriculture and fishing, while the aged and health care industries have seen strong growth in recent years.
Education
The Gippsland region is home to Federation University, which brings together the University of Ballarat and the Monash University Gippsland Campus to provide access to higher education, TAFE, secondary schooling and research opportunities.
A number of TAFEs with campuses across the region are complimented by newly established Technology Enabled Learning Centres which provide more rural students with access to a greater variety of tertiary courses.
Opportunities
- Tourism potential of coastal and bushland locations (including national parks)
- Expanding intensive and organic food production,
- Recent investment is enhancing Victoria’s potential as a leader in dairy innovation – underpinning a successful, competitive and sustainable dairy industry in the region.
- Renewable Energy