Frolicking fun this festive season
20/12/2022We’ve decided to extend the festive season and focus on some of your favourite regional towns beginning with 'F'. Pack your bags, let’s go for a drive.
Forrest
In the heart of the Otways is Forrest - a little gem with a population of about 230 people, inland from the Great Ocean Road. Drive in from the coast and find a mecca for mountain bikers, hikers and adventurers.
We’ve invested in $500,000 to support works on the Barwon Flow Trails to help maintain and modernise the trails for adventurer seekers. Creating a new experience and challenge for two-wheel riders, the investment will also see a new trailhead, skills park and visitor precinct being built, with the skills park to cater for skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and bikes.
The fun continues with the various walking trails nearby. Admire the many waterfalls and flowing streams in the area as you soak in the peaceful surrounds.
And of course a visit isn’t complete unless you try a local brew from Forrest Brewing Company or pick up a slice of homemade cake from the town’s must visit General Store – we hear their menu sources ingredients locally.
Foster
If you’re on your way to Prom Country in South Gippsland, be sure to stop off at Gurneys Cider in historic town Foster with a population of 1,164. If the breathtaking view doesn’t stop you in your tracks as you enter the cider grounds of the Gurneys family, their new Arches space will. Our investment saw the creation of the world’s largest underground cellar showcasing Gurneys’ signature ciders made on site – a unique experience including tours of where the magic happens.
Boasting not one but two country bakeries, Foster still has a stream flowing through the middle of it. Follow the steam and it will lead you to various nature walks around the township. One of them – Hayes Walk – is just under an hour and is a pathway to Victory Mine, the town’s largest gold mine. And if you need another lookout fix towards Gippsland’s endless rolling hills and the region’s inlet, stop off at Foster North Lookout.
Falls Creek
Not just a winter wonderland, in summer the mountain bike and hiking tracks come alive at Falls Creek. It will get you falling in love with the region in the warmer months too. We know Victorians love our Alpine regions, so we’ve invested in the Falls Creek Alpine Resort.
To make your stay more comfortable, we’ve supported the upgrade to the lakeside Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) shed. Once works are completed, new public toilets will be built along with lighting and power to support a visitor centre. This location will also mark a proposed trailhead for the Falls to Hotham summer walking route.
On your walk, be sure to look out for the heritage and historical huts around the region.
Please note due to the recent weather events, there is limited access to some Falls Creek trails and roads. For more updates this summer, visit the Falls Creek website.