8 outdoor adventures in Gippsland; The Latrobe Valley
Reflections on Cowarr Weir
Welcome to the very first blog of Alysha’s Nature Notes. I thought it was fitting to start the series at the place that began my love for nature, the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland – my home.
The Latrobe Valley has some of Gippsland’s best hidden gems and it’s one of the easiest (and most underrated) nature getaways from Melbourne. With nature-based activities easily accessible off the M1 Princes Highway, the Latrobe Valley is the perfect weekend road trip from Melbourne.
Make sure you bookmark this list for your next weekend adventure!
1. Lake Narracan
Lake Narracan is about 10 minutes from the Moe township. With a number of drivable access points, a boat launching area, pier, walking trails and picnic spots, the ‘Moe beach’ it is a great spot for exploring the local outdoors both in and around the water. This is one of the best spots for a sunset kayak in Gippsland, particularly on non-windy evenings when the reflections are magic.
Kayaking on Lake Narracan at sunset
Outdoor activities
Kayaking
Boating, water skiiing
Fishing off pier
Picnics
Walk
Nature highlights
Bird watching
Water dragons
Snapshot science
People often have a negative perception of algae, as it puts a rapid halt to many water activities! But let me share with you why it’s quite a unique part of our ecosystem.
Algae are neither plant nor animal! While they may look like moss or slime, algae are actually photosynthetic creatures.
Nutrient pollution (for example run off from agricultural fertilisers) and warm, still water can cause algal blooms. Be sure to check online before visiting lake systems, like Narracan, as algal blooms can occur from time to time.
2. Narracan Falls
The Narracan Falls are about a 20-minute drive from the township of Moe. Amazingly, despite this being one of Gippsland's best waterfalls, you can often get the Narracan Falls to yourself! The falls area offers picnic tables and a pleasant view of the surrounding farmland. The falls themselves can be viewed from a lookout at the top and via a track (about 100m walk from the carpark).
3. Peterson’s Lookout
For a unique view of Gippsland, you need to check out Peterson’s Lookout. The lookout overlooks the Tyres river, as it winds through the Tyres gorge. About 20 minutes from Traralgon, this lookout is accessed by stairs from the car park (note the car park is small). It is best to go here on a clear day to get the most expansive views. The walk will take you about 15-20 minutes return (depends how long you take in the view for). This has to be one of the best lookouts in Gippsland!
Snapshot science
There are limestone outcrops in this area, where fossil records have been found. Limestone is a sedimentary rock, meaning it has been exposed to gentler pressures and lower temperatures than Earth’s other rock types (metamorphic and igneous). Sedimentary formation allow fragments of shell, plant and animal to be preserved over time. You can read more about the geology of this area from Agriculture Victoria.
Peterson’s Lookout view point
4. Wirilda Environment Park
Only 15-20 minutes from both Moe and Traralgon, the Wirilda Environment Park is one of the best kept secrets in the Latrobe Valley. A true natural hidden gem. This pristine, private nature park of 100 hectares is generously open to the public, free of charge.
There are a number of activities to do in this park including visiting the picnic grounds, camping in the almost-free, un-powered campground, bird watching and bush walking.
Most people visit Wirilda for the nature-walk. The main walk of the park is called the Wirilda Track and is 18km, 6 hours one way. This walk is best done over a long day and with a car shuttle system. You can read more about the full walk here. For those wanting to experience the park but not wanting to walk a full 18km, it is possible to walk a shorter part of the trail. I’ve walked from the camping ground to the first river crossing and returned by the same route, which took about 4 hours. This park is managed privately, and the trails are only recommended for experienced hikers.
Read more about the park here.
Creekside trail in Wirilda Environment Park
Outdoor activities
Bush walk/hike
$5 camping
Nature highlights
Towering, pristine eucalytps
Superb lyrebirds (if you’re quiet, and you’re the first on the trail, you are likely to spot one of these mimicry specialist birds)
Bowerbirds
Cockatoos
Brown falcons
To see a full list of birds, click here.
Snapshot science
Lyrebirds are mimicry specialists, meaning they can mimic the sounds of other birds. They get their name from their tail, which looks like the classical Greek instrument, a lyre.
5. Cowarr Weir
Summer sunset kayak at the weir
The best place to be on a hot summer’s day is the Cowarr Weir, which is only about 25 minutes from Traralgon. This weir is the perfect place to go for a gentle kayak and enjoy the reflections of the trees on a still day. The weir is fed by the Thomson River, and you can paddle kilometers upstream. I’ve paddled as far as some small rapids and then turned back around and enjoyed the casual drift back downstream.
The grassy, treed grounds of the weir are also great for a picnic, a pleasant walk and bird spotting.
Outdoor activities
Picnic
Kayaking
Swimming
Fishing
Nature highlights
Stunning river way Thomson River
Great spot for sunset reflections on a still evening
Bird watching
Snapshot science
The Thomson River is home to various important migratory fish, such as Australian Grayling, Tupong and Short-finned and Long-finned Eel. These species rely on the regulated environmental flows from the Thomson Dam and Cowarr Weir. Environmental flows ensure that enough fresh water is maintained in the waterways despite human interference, such as damming.
Kayaking the weir on a foggy morning
6. Edward Hunter Reserve
The Edward Hunter reserve is a 5 minute drive from the Moe township. This reserve offers a variety of walking tracks, with a short 1.5km walking loop around the wetland lake or a longer loop through one of the largest remnant sections of bush in the Latrobe Valley. The longer loop takes about 1 hour to complete. All walks start from the car park, accessible from Coalville Road. The bush varies from lush ferns to drier forested sections with towering gums.
While you’re walking in the bush, be sure to notice the nature around you. This reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, especially for bird watchers!
Nature highlights
Red-bellied black snakes
Echidnas
Swamp wallabies
Possums
Eastern whipbirds
Eastern spinebills
Eastern and Crimson rosellas
Long necked and snake-necked turtles
7. Moe Botanical Gardens
Located within the township of Moe, the botanical gardens are the perfect spot for a picnic or walk. These are one of the best autumn leaf locations in Victoria during the autumn and likewise one of the best flowering blossom locations during spring.
The gardens are an ideal base for a weekend bike ride or walk as they link directly to the Moe-Yallourn rail trail (see more below). Cross the creek on the iconic swing bridge and walk under the mural decorated bridges to extend your creek-side stroll.
Outdoor activities
Walk
Fitness playground
Fishing
Children’s playground
Tennis courts
Nature highlights
Platypus (if you are quiet when you approach the iconic swing bridge, you just might see one of Australia’s most shy creatures).
Wattle trees
Autumn trees
Blossom trees
8. Moe-Yallourn Rail Trail
The Moe-Yallourn rail trail starts within the Moe township from the Botanical Gardens and is 8.5km one way. The tail trail ends at a picnic spot at the base of the Yallourn power station cooling towers. It is a flat, easy trail that is popular for bike riding, running and walking. The trail has pockets of shade and at times, offers views across the Latrobe Valley and the lakes.
Riverside view at the Yallourn end of the trail