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Central Gippsland

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Central Gippsland

The area known as Central Gippsland, also termed North Gippsland, is a region of Gippsland in Victoria, Australia, roughly corresponding to Shire of Wellington. Often this region is considered part of a larger "East Gippsland". Central Gippsland occupies a broad stretch of plains between the Latrobe Valley to the west and the Gippsland Lakes to the east and between the Great Dividing Range to the north and Bass Strait (Ninety Mile Beach) to the south. Near the mouth of the Latrobe River is the main town Sale, which has a population of about 19,600 (including Wurruk and Longford), a nearby air force base, and as a centre for the offshore gasfields in Bass Strait. It was one of the earliest settled areas of Gippsland, whose early economy was aided by the presence of a river port. Other main towns in Central Gippsland include Rosedale, Maffra noted for butter manufacture and Stratford on the Avon River. Smaller towns include Heyfield, Coongulla, Cowwarr and Newry. Central Gippsland is covered by the Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) which covers an area similar to the Shire of Wellington, and places 7,805 km² in reserves. The area is a major agricultural producer in the state of Victoria, often known as the "food belt" of Victoria.

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WBP editorial

Beyond the highways: a local food trail

While Sale provides the urban hub, the true palate of Central Gippsland unfolds on back‑roads that wind through dairy farms and boutique producers. In Maffra, small‑scale creameries still churn butter using methods passed down from the early settlers, and the resultant gold‑coloured blocks are sold at farmer’s markets alongside artisanal cheese made from grass‑fed cattle. A short drive south to Stratford reveals the Avon River’s flood‑plains, where seasonal berry pickers set up temporary stalls selling wild strawberries and macadamia nuts harvested from community orchards. The region’s proximity to the gas fields has introduced a surprising abundance of fresh seafood in inland eateries, with chefs pairing locally sourced lamb with Tasmanian crayfish—a culinary juxtaposition you won’t find in guidebooks.

Rail remnants and the art of slow travel

Central Gippsland’s rail heritage is quieter than its coastal neighbours, yet the old line that once linked Sale to the inland towns leaves a trace for those willing to explore on foot or bike. Disused stations at Heyfield and Cowwarr have been repurposed as community galleries, showcasing works that reflect the landscape’s transition from timber logging to sustainable forestry under the Regional Forest Agreement. Renting a bike in Rosedale and following the rail corridor to the Latrobe River’s bend offers a 30‑kilometre corridor of river flats, wetlands and native eucalypt stands, ideal for spotting platypus at dusk. This low‑key route lets visitors experience the region’s environmental stewardship without the noise of the main highways.

Seasonal rhythm: when the coast meets the plains

The meeting point of the Bass Strait’s surf and the fertile plains creates a subtle climatic swing that shapes visitor experience. Late autumn brings a brisk, sea‑influenced wind that clears the inland fog, making the Gippsland Lakes’ sunrise reflections particularly vivid. Conversely, early summer sees the plains blossom with wild wattle, and the heat draws migratory birds to the wetlands, offering prime bird‑watching opportunities away from the crowded beach crowds of Ninety Mile Beach. Timing a stay to capture both the crisp coastal mornings and the warm, honey‑scented afternoons grants a fuller sense of Central Gippsland’s dual character, a nuance often missed by itineraries focused solely on either the ocean or the agricultural heartland.