East Gippsland acknowledges the Gunaikurnai, Monero and the Bidawel people as the Traditional Custodians of the land that encompasses East Gippsland Shire. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in East Gippsland, their Elders past and present.
Great Vic Bike Ride
Saturday the 25th of November is the day to mark in your calendars!
For the first time in 25 years, Orbost is welcoming back the Great Vic Bike Ride for this years starting point.
This is an exciting time for East Gippsland and we look forward to welcoming over 3000 people to our region.
With the event beginning in Orbost, the trail the riders are taking is sure to capture their hearts with East Gippsland's beauty. Before reaching its seaside finish in Wonthaggi, the Great Vic Bike Ride will make stops in the East Gippsland towns of Orbost, Buchan, Lakes Entrance, and Paynesville.
The event starts at a rate of $138 per day.
Cyclists can choose from three, five, or nine-day holiday options, allowing them to camp, ride, and relax. Each day will be followed by an evening filled with entertainment, activities, and the warm hospitality that only a regional town has to offer.
Here is an overview of the East Gippsland regions through which the riders will be cycling.
Day 1: Sat 25 Nov | Orbost (arrival day)
This is the day to set up camp and prepare for your riding adventures. Hop on your bike and explore everything the town has to offer.
There's a wide range of things to see and do. Head down to the Orbost Club Hotel and meet the locals while enjoying a pub meal and a refreshing drink.
Enjoy a craft beer on the deck of Sailors Grave Brewery, and don't forget to visit Snowy River Cycling next door for future cycling adventure.
Day 2: Sun 26 Nov | Orbost to Buchan (58km)
The ride begins today.
Take in the breathtaking views of East Gippsland and the Snowy River countryside as you make your way to Buchan, where you will set up camp for the night.
Once you arrive in Buchan, take a refreshing dip in the icy cold cave-fed pool located in the Buchan Caves Reserve. While you're there, book a guided tour to explore Victoria's largest cave system. Choose between the Fairy Cave or Royal Cave, or even better, do both.
Wrap up the afternoon with a well-deserved drink at the Buchan Caves Hotel.
Day 3: Mon 27 Nov | Buchan to Lakes Entrance (84km)
It's time to leave the countryside behind and head to East Gippsland's coastal town, Lakes Entrance.
In this popular tourist town with endless things to do, we recommend visiting Albert and Co for your daily coffee and Basically Local for Snowy River biltong and other local produce. If you're looking for land and water-based activities, stop by Venture Out; they have everything you need.
Day 4: Tue 28 Nov | Lakes Entrance to Paynesville (76km)
The next part of your lakeside adventure awaits. Cruise along the Mitchell River as you make your way to Paynesville, a small town nestled between lakes, canals, and inlets.
Did you know you can explore Paynesville by boat? Book your tour with H2O Tours & Adventures. Hop on the ferry and take the time to explore Raymond Island, hire your four-seater bike at Ride the Koalas, and begin your koala spotting adventure.
And you can't miss dinner at Sardines Dining, where you can enjoy an exceptional seafood dinner caught right here in East Gippsland.
Day 5: Wed 29 Nov | Paynesville to Sale (82km)
Say farewell to beautiful East Gippsland as you embark on the next leg of your cycling adventure.
Great Vic Bike Ride
Great Vic Bike Ride 2023
For the first time in 25 years, Orbost is welcoming back the Great Vic Bike Ride for this years starting point.
Saturday the 25th of November is the day to mark in your calendars!
This is an exciting time for East Gippsland and we look forward to welcoming over 3000 people to our region as a part of the event.
CHECK BACK IN OVER THE COMING MONTHS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GREAT VIC BIKE RIDE IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Sustainability
East Gippsland, Victoria's FIRST eco-accredited destination!
In great news, East Gippsland is the first destination in Victoria and seventh in Australia to meet global best practice sustainability standards to achieve Eco Destination certification, with Ecotourism Australia. This proves that our green thumb goes well beyond our back gardens.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR REGION?
So what does this tick really mean? Does it actually make a difference? And how can you get involved?
This accreditation has announced East Gippsland as a nature-based tourism destination with a strong commitment to ecotourism principles. But this little tick is about more than attracting tourists.
- It’s about the way our community takes real, tangible actions to enhance and protect our natural environment.
- It’s about the way we honour our cultural heritage, build responsible businesses that last, and look after each other and the land around us.
- It’s our way of saying we protect our natural treasures — from our multiple national and state parks to the marine oasis of the Gippsland Lakes, Cape Conran and Croajingolong Coastal and Marine Parks— and when you visit us, you can too.
So if you’re the kind of person who wants to do right by the planet (even when you’re on holiday) then we invite you to visit us in East Gippsland and see why we are Victoria's first ECO Destination for Ecotourism.
WHAT SORT OF ECO EXPERIENCES ARE ON OFFER IN EAST GIPPSLAND?
We don’t mean to brag but East Gippsland has some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the whole world. Where you’ll find 15 significant National Parks and extensive State Forests and Reserves. Pristine beaches with cracking surf along the iconic 90 mile beach. And those marine parks we mentioned? Cape Conran Marine Park is home to Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary - a divers paradise. It also hosts the whale migration between May and October every year, so keep a close eye out from nearby beaches.
ECO accreditation takes the hard work out of finding genuine nature and ecotourism operators. So that when it’s time for your East Gippsland eco-adventure, you know you’re choosing the real deal. As well as aiming to be an Ecotourism Australia ECO Tourism destination, East Gippsland has two Ecotourism Australia-certified champions, with more working towards their own certification.
As for our community? They’re keen to help the environment too! They run regular beach clean-ups, make great use of public water stations instead of single-use plastic bottles, and have loads of passionate environmental protection volunteer groups
HOW DOES A DESTINATION BECOME CERTIFIED?
Well to start, one organisation needs to put their hand up to lead the charge and manage the lengthy accreditation process. In our case, this is East Gippsland Shire Council
As well as creating a tonne of environment management strategies and projects that helps East Gippsland become accredited, Council also spent around two years on the ECO Destination application process.
But while Council is managing the process, our whole region and community will be evaluated against six criteria:
- Destination Management: That’s things like sustainable development, infrastructure, planning and monitoring.
- Nature & Scenery: That’s how we look after wildlife, landscape and scenery.
- Environment & Climate: That’s how we manage water, waste, pollution and renewable resources.
- Culture & Tradition: That’s how we respect and protect living culture, traditions, and cultural sites.
- Social & Well-being: That’s the way our community gets involved, looks after each other (and the land) and creates a strong, fair economy.
- Business & Hospitality: That’s how the tourism sector takes responsibility for sustainability, promotes our regions respectfully and looks after our tourists.
As a result, we’ve got a roadmap that will support the community, tourism sector, and environment now and into the future.
You can read more about The Eco Certified destination of East Gippsland
RIGHT HERE
Great Vic Bike Ride
Great Vic Bike Ride 2023
For the first time in 25 years, Orbost is welcoming back the Great Vic Bike Ride for this years starting point.
Saturday the 25th of November is the day to mark in your calendars!
This is an exciting time for East Gippsland and we look forward to welcoming over 3000 people to our region as a part of the event.
CHECK BACK IN OVER THE COMING MONTHS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GREAT VIC BIKE RIDE IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Accommodation Search
Stay with us
Snuggle up in one of the region’s hotels, motels or resorts. Say "hello" to a B&B with friendly local hospitality. Book into a cabin or caravan park, or hire a motor cruiser and spend a night – or a week – aboard. With so many choices, you're going to need an extra week.