Take a Break From the Road at these Popular Stops Between Mallacoota & Bairnsdale
A pause from the road might save your life – and there’s no shortage of great places for a rest stop in East Gippsland.
The TAC Pause Stop Initiative is encouraging drivers to plan ahead, pull over, and recharge every two hours. With 62 accredited information centres across Victoria all part of the campaign, this has never been easier.
Plus, as extra incentive to get out of the car, there are great prizes to be won. For your chance to win, simply snap a picture on your rest break, upload it to the TAC website, and with any luck you’ll win a fuel voucher or Big 4 Holiday Parks voucher to put towards your next trip.
There’s no limit on entries so the more breaks you take, the more likely you’ll be a winner! Find competition terms and conditions of entry here.Â
We might be slightly biased, but we reckon East Gippsland has the best places to take a break. From our information centres in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale to epic lookouts, delicious local produce, and heritage buildings with stories to tell, you have plenty of choices.
Drop in to our visitor information centres for help curating your ideal East Gippsland itinerary, or take a look at the list below for some inspiration!
Best Places to Stop Between Bairnsdale & Mallacoota:
St Mary's Church in Bairnsdale
When you pull into Bairnsdale, St Mary’s Church is hard to miss. Conveniently located beside a large car park adjacent to the Princes Highway, it couldn’t be easier to access.Â
Prepare to be wowed.
East Gippsland All Abilities Playground
If you’ve got little ones with energy to burn, then the fully fenced all abilities playground in Bairnsdale is the stop for you! With a range of soft surfaces, accessible toilets, undercover BBQ area, a merry-go-round, sandpit, and so much more, the hardest part is deciding when to leave!
Howitt Park
Not many rest stops come with the opportunity to coast down a giant yellow slide, but this one does! With toilets, a pump track, and access to a large oval and walking trails you can stop for five minutes or a few hours. Time your visit over a weekend and you might be lucky to chance upon one of the many regular markets held here too.
Check out our monthly events guide for market dates.Â
Adventure Fun Park Gippsland
Did someone say free entry? You can wander into the Adventure Fun Park Gippsland and window shop their activities before selecting one to pay for.
From archery to mini golf, and a bungee trampoline this stop will delight everyone young at heart. Just save the milkshake for after the activities…
Nicho General Store & Post Office
Keep your stomach happy with a famous Nicho pie (the hardest part is picking just one!), stock up on locally made produce, and send a postcard home before you hit the road again.
If you took some time to have fun at the playground in Bairnsdale or the Adventure Fun Park Gippsland, the Nicho General Store is the ideal stop for some rest.
Bush Cafe & Art Gallery
Adjacent to the Princes Highway, the Bush Café and Art Gallery at Forestec is a great stop to experience Gunaikurnai culture with some bush tucker. Indigenous artwork and jewellery is both on display and for sale with some interesting artefacts as well!
Nyerimilang Heritage Park
Brush up on local history at Nyerimilang Heritage Park staffed by volunteers most days from 10am to 3pm. Wander old buildings or enjoy one of many walks for great views of the Gippsland Lakes.
Kalimna Lookout
The bench seat here is the perfect spot to park yourself for a quick break with great views over the Gippsland Lakes. There are plenty of car spots and the Kalimna Hotel is within walking distance if you’d like to have some food.
Continue down the Princes Highway a hundred metres or so to find another lookout with a slightly different view and some information boards. Once you’ve soaked in the views and some new information, it’s time to hit the road again!
Bullock Island
With an accessible boardwalk, a toilet block, and the chance to spot dolphins, swans, pelicans, eagles, and more, this is a quick stop with something for everyone.
On warmer days you could jump in for a quick dip and the ambitious angler might be able to snag a bite or two. Crabbing off the jetty here is quite popular and there’s always plenty of action to watch.Â
For local fishing tips, check out the East Gippsland Fishing Report.
Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre
With friendly staff, clean toilets, and plenty of car spots, including a couple of electric vehicle chargers, this stop will recharge both you and your ride.Â
The kids can check out the colouring in sheets while you decide your next move using the handy maps and resources available. You can even make use of the outdoor picnic tables to have an extended break as Aldi is right next door with options for everyone. Â
If you’ve got a dog in the car, a water bowl and stick library are also provided.
Cunninghame Arm Foot Bridge
You can’t drive through Lakes Entrance without walking over the Cunninghame Art Foot Bridge to the 90 Mile Beach. Feel the sand between your toes, visit the toilets, grab a snack, or burn some energy on the playground.
If you’ve got time for a longer stop, you could even walk out to the Entrance itself along the Hummocks Walk. Park near Myer Street if you want to visit a restaurant or grab some takeaway to enjoy on the foreshore.
Palmer’s Off-Leash Fenced Dog Park
If you’re got furry friends in your vehicle, this fully fenced dog park is for you! At only a minute off the highway it’s an ideal place for them to have a run, toilet break, and drink before you continue on.Â
Nowa Nowa Big Root
The most unique stop on this list, the giant tree root in Nowa Nowa is housed in a custom pyramid shelter behind Mingling Waters Caravan Park & Cafe. Read more about it in our guide to escaping the ordinary in East Gippsland.
Nowa Nowa Wetlands Walk
This is a 3km stretch of trail which is part of a larger series of trails surrounding the Nowa Nowa township. It follows the bank of the Nowa Nowa Arm and the easiest access is from Mingling Waters Café & Caravan Park.
Wombat Honey Hut
What year is it? You don’t see many roadside stalls like this anymore, and this one is a ripper! Fully stocked with local honey, it’s cash only and available 24 hours.
It’s a great excuse to get everyone out of the car and to pick up a last-minute gift or souvenir.Â
The Snowy River Rail Bridge
Just before Orbost, drop off the highway to have a short walk along the preserved Snowy Rail Bridge and read about the history of the line.
This is the longest timber rail trestle bridge in Victoria and is stretches over the Snowy River floodplains. There’s a picnic table beside the carpark and enough walking trails to fill an hour or so if you want an extended stop.Â
Orbost Slab Hut Visitor Information Centre
Otherwise referred to as the Slab Hut, the Orbost Visitor Information Centre is housed in a historically significant building that’s well worth a look. Nestled beside a park with public toilets and coffee shops nearby, it’s an ideal place to take a pause.
McKenzie River Rainforest Walk
Hidden in plain sight adjacent to the highway, this is a 1km loop walk complete with a suspension bridge, raised walkways, and plenty of birdlife to enjoy.
For a breath of fresh air and a nice stretch for your legs, stops don’t get better than this.
Cann River Bushland Reserve Walk
Beginning and ending in the Cann River Caravan Park, this 2.3km loop walk is great for avid birdwatchers with plenty of feathered friends to spot along the way!
Cann River Township
Public toilets, short walks, a couple of eateries, and a petrol station make Cann River the ideal spot to take a break without taking any detours.
Drummer Rainforest Walk
At just over a kilometer in length, the Drummer Rainforest Walk loops around a section of the Thurra River and is a delightful little trail perfect to stretch your legs.
Genoa Falls
Only 200m from the highway sits Genoa Falls. There are no toilets here but it’s a great way to see a natural attraction without having to factor in a very long stop.
Double Creek Nature Walk
Only a few minutes from Mallacoota, and just off the Genoa-Mallacoota Road, the Double Creek Nature Walk is ideal for stretching your legs.Â
You might be lucky enough to see a koala or two at the same time!Â
