What to eat, drink, see and do in South Gippsland

About an hour-and-a-half drive from the CBD, a must-see destination along South Gippsland Highway is the quaint and picturesque town of Loch. At the heart of this historic little village is a main street that looks like it came right out of a storybook, dotted with grocers, cafés, boutiques and galleries. 

Feeling sleepy after the drive? Stop in for a rest with a steamy cup of chai at local coffee shop Olive before exploring the rest of the strip. If you fancy yourself an adventurous home cook, the Loch Grocer will be your best bet for a treasure hunt, where you can fill a basket with fresh local produce and rarer artisan products like olive oil infusions and unique vinegars for the pantry. 

The main drawcard for this small yet legendary town is a brewery and distillery situated in a 100-year-old former bank. You'll spot the red-brick charmer as soon as you drive in, with friendly local couple and owners Craig Johnson and Melinda Davis pouring pints and drams behind the bar when they're not busily working in their brewery next door.

The history behind Loch Distillery is a fascinating tale (the imported storage room door dates back to 1880s London) and the gins, whiskeys and traditional British-style ales are brimming with local character. Have a taste while you browse – it's a fun way to pick Johnson's passionate brains on all things distilling and brewing in person. It's also worth getting a botanical tour of the couple's impressive garden, where herb plants, fruit trees and flowers are nurtured for use in the beers and spirits. 

If it's hot out and the coast is calling your name, some gorgeous beaches are only a 50-minute drive away. Taking a dip in Venus Bay Beach isn't for the faint-of-heart (only strong swimmers should enter the water), but with dramatic look-out spots and picnic tables set to a soundtrack of crashing waves, it deserves a visit. If you'd rather paddle in calmer bay-like waters, the real secret gem you'll fall in love with is Walkerville South Beach. 

Preferred by some locals for its tranquil, stark beauty, here you'll find crystal clear waters, interesting rock formations and the types of shells beautiful enough to slip into your pocket and take home as mementos. Prepare for a jaw-dropping moment as you turn the bend unveiling its epic expanse of blue. Pure magic.

South Gippsland is an intricate maze of nationally renowned dairy farms, markets and local grocers, great for arranging a picnic and enjoying the best of the region's produce out in the fresh air. 

But if you're after a sit-down experience over something hot and substantial, you're blessed with plenty of great options. Inverloch cafe Bluette on Bear serves piping hot toastie melts that are just about the size of your head, and a modern brunch menu that makes the most of local seasonal produce. 

Alternatively, you could grab brunch in Meeniyan, where cosy eatery Moo's is serving up freshly baked bread from Pandesal, big brekkies, owner Marty's latest fave salad (it changes on a whim), plus hearty soups and burgers. For dinner, make a booking at Trulli, a Southern Italian-inspired neighbourhood restaurant by two creative Italian brothers. Francesco and Claudio hail from the small village of Noci, where the "cucina povera" (which translates to "kitchen of the poor") philosophy of making exceptional dishes from humble ingredients was a necessity. 

Start with addictive pizza pocket-like panzerotti and their signature Pugliese fava bean dip topped with chicory, before moving onto larger plates like glossy pastas and local meat and seafood, with a regionally inspired wine list to match. Our pick is the tagliatelle with East Gippsland venison (you'll thank us later).

Feeling inspired by your Trulli experience? Head to Trulli Pantry across the road and pick up some gourmet sauces and Italian culinary must-haves to take home with you at the end of your trip. Here, you can get your hands on some of the best delicatessen products available in the region, including the global award-winning Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese.

Over in Inverloch, Pearl is your destination for Asian-inspired fare and fresh Aussie seafood, with local wines and beers for pairing. Feast on crispy won ton cups, seasonal fish tataki, master stock pork belly and slow-cooked duck leg Thai curry with finger lime pearls. The melt-in-your-mouth tender barramundi with Malaysian sambal and charred lime is another certified crowdpleaser, but there are also plenty of tasty vegan dishes to keep your plant-based pals happy, too.

On a drive through Kurumburra (a town that's a fair bit larger and louder than Loch), Burra Brewing is your go-to for locally made craft beers. The generous dining and drinking hall fills up in the evenings with those eager for a taste of the thin and crispy-based housemade pizzas and experimental brews.

Try pairing the incredibly tasty pumpkin and goat cheese pizza with Burra's limited-release finger lime ale if it's available. Here's a bunch of beer geeks who know what they're doing, and you'll want to take a six-pack or two away with you.

If a vino tasting paddle is more your thing, Harman Wines is a fifteen-minute drive away. The breezy cellar door restaurant is an idyllic rustic setting for pondering reds and whites while you take in the views of the sunny vineyard. The humble family-owned winery lays claim to multiple awards and books out often, so make a reservation here.

Closer to the Wilson's Prom end of South Gippsland down in Fish Creek, Waratah Hills Vineyard focuses on producing top-notch pinot noir and chardonnay. Out of all the wineries you visit in the region, this one has perhaps the most beautiful and remote scenery. Low-intervention grape varietals thrive in the cool maritime climate from vines first planted in the '90s, and serious winos will be tempted to plan a revisit.

Dirty Three Wines is an unmissable stop in Inverloch, a Gippsland star on the map that grows and makes immaculately balanced pinot noir from its three distinct "dirts", as well as chardonnay, riesling, rosé and sparkling. Each juicy potion sings with the soul of its terroir, and husband and wife owners Marcus Satchell and Lisa Sartori are fastidious in their efforts to grow winning fruit and pick it at the perfect moment. Drop in at the cellar door for a guided tasting flight with accompanying notes, and if you need something to line your belly, they've teamed up with local producers to serve up tasty nibbles like cheese, salumi, bruschetta, terrine and olives. What a lovely afternoon date.

A 20-minute drive away in Leongatha, Fleet Wines is also well worth the drive on a South Gippsland winery hop. The lo-fi expressive wines have been described by experts as "next level" and are some of the most talked-about in Melbourne right now. The couple at the helm have leveraged more than 30 years of working in the city's most celebrated wine bars and restaurants to bring their winemaking vision to life and you can taste the fruits of their passion.

If you're all graped out or simply curious to try something different, make a beeline for Gurneys' Cidery in Foster. It boasts the world's largest underground cider cellar and offers an enchanting opportunity to see how traditional apple cider is produced. After the family behind the 70-acre operation couldn't find the type of dry British-style cider they'd enjoyed back in Somerset, they set about buying land, growing an orchard of cider apple trees and doing it themselves. Sitting underground with the barrels amid the hypnotising sounds of Tibetan bowls (to make the yeast happy, we're told), it's an intimate cider-tasting experience you won't forget.  

Looking to keep your weekender low-cost? You could always try your luck at one of these free camping areas around South Gippsland, but if you're after a truly refreshing and comfortable stay, then consider River Drive Motel. Life and business partners Kate Hannaford and Dic Coates first noticed the opportunity on a drive past the unloved property in the sleepy township Tarwin Lower back in 2021 – and they’ve never looked back since. The dynamic duo has lovingly restored it into a stylish sanctuary with five self-contained rooms, surrounded by an acre of communal gardens. You'll discover surprisingly charming touches: a swing hanging from a big shady oak tree, a large closet of classic games like Jenga and Finska, beach towels and sporting equipment, and a smattering of picnic tables and chairs, perfect for long and lazy al fresco dinners. 

Lauren Dinse visited South Gippsland and stayed as a guest of Visit Victoria and River Drive Motel. Bookings can be made online at the website and rooms start at $275 per night with a minimum two-night stay.