The History of the Shrine Travelling Exhibition is touring regional Victorian centres from 2006 to 2009. Over 20 leading institutions are hosting this important exhibition which aims to connect all Victorians to the Shrine of Remembrance. The exhibition features information panels, archival photographs and audiovisual material. It traces the Shrine’s fascinating history from concept to construction through to its role as a contemporary commemorative and interactive learning space. The Shrine exhibition will be in Bairnsdale through June and July.
East Gippsland’s heritage brings to life the people, their stories, the successes and heartbreaks of the generations who lived their lives here. Take the time to embrace the past and living heritage on offer. Connect with people, places and history.
Sites all around our region add a special chapter to East Gippsland’s story that remains preserved in its historical sites, buildings and museums. Heritage trails include everything from special mapped out walks around Bairnsdale to touring by car around Gold Digging sites on the Great Alpine Road. Go deep underground and experience the Caves in Buchan or explore the gardens and grounds of a heritage home at Nyerimilang Park.
Further information on heritage in East Gippsland can be obtained our Visitor Information Centres.
Bataluk Culture Trail Sale to Cann River along Princes Highway. As you travel through East Gippsland, you are following routes that the Gunai (Kurnai)
Left at Great Alpine Road from Swifts Creek. The village of Cassilis was named after a small township in Scotland and in the 1800s was a thriving mining centre. It was once home to more than 1000 people, but today there is little evidence of it's passing save a lonely cemetery filled with miners and their kin. Set in a quiet picturesque valley, this place is worth paying respect. The 3600 hectare Cassilis Historic area contains many relics from the gold mining era. Much of the area can be explored on foot.
Nyerimilang Homestead, set in semi-formal gardens and lawns, overlooks Lake King. This park has some great walking tracks, with a real feature being the many species of birds attracted by the gardens. Keep an eye out for honeyeaters, waterbirds, birds of prey and many more native birds. Activities include walks, history displays, birdwatching and picnicking. The park is open daily until sunset and the homestead is usually open from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Great Alpine Road from Omeo. The vastness of Australia's largest alluvial gold digging is a breathtaking viewing experience. With cliffs looming more than 200ft high and a maze of tunnels running for miles underground, these claims were some of the richest in the State. The claims are heritage listed and boast a unique flora and fauna. With more than a dozen great walks through the 40 hectare site of Gippslands largest alluvial sluicing works, the park is excellent for bird watching and discovery of orchids and wild flowers.
The first Europeans to see the Lakes & Wilderness region were those travelling with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour in 1770. Cooks' first lieutenant, Zachary Hicks, sighted a rocky promontory which was subsequently called Point Hicks, but it wasnt until the 1830s and early 1840s that pastoral runs were first taken up in the Monaro, Bendoc, Mallacoota, Genoa and Buchan districts. Gold seekers tried their luck in the 1860s and some made small fortunes around Bendoc and Mallacoota.
Great Alpine Road from Omeo. This 100 hectare area includes the site of Victoria's first major hydro-electric station, built in 1908 to supply water to the goldfields at Cassilis. The park is set in snowgum and mountaim gum woodland above the Victoria and Cobungra Rivers. Activities include walks, picnicking and fishing.
The coastal region stretching from Lake Tyers in East Gippsland to Mimosa Rocks National Park in Southern New South Wales and inland towards Bombala was recently presented under the name Australia’s Coastal Wilderness to international tourism and travel representatives at a trade show in Perth. Held at the Australian Tourism Exchange the conference was attended by East Gippsland Mayor, Cr Mendy Urie, CEO Steve Kozlowski and Shire economic development and tourism coordinator Phil Rickards who is chair of the steering committee for Australia’s Coastal Wilderness.
Mr Rickards said the launch that was part of the National Landscapes Program signalled a new era for tourism in East Gippsland and Southern New South Wales.
“Devised by Tourism Australia and Parks Australia, the program was designed to identify the best of Australia’s natural and cultural landscapes that are inspirational destinations in their own right and that transcend borders and boundaries,” he said.
“The landscapes also include Australia’s Red Centre, the Australian Alps, Kakadu, Flinders Ranges, the Great Ocean Road, Australia’s Green Cauldron (Mt Warning and surrounding areas inland from Byron Bay and the Gold Coast) and the Greater Blue Mountains.
“These landscapes are to be marketed to the global audience known as Experience Seekers who want to get off the beaten track and immerse themselves in Australian nature and culture.”
Mr Rickards said that from a marketing point of view, two of East Gippsland’s most spectacular natural assets, the High Country and parts of the beautiful coastal region would be now promoted internationally alongside other national icons under a high profile brand.
“The other great benefit of the program is that it encourages stakeholders including land managers, tourism agencies, local government and industry to work closely together for the conservation of Australia’s outstanding natural and cultural experiences.”
Cr Urie said the name chosen for the coastal region - Australia’s Coastal Wilderness – made the statement that we have a world-class destination right here in our own back yard.
“Although there are other coastal wilderness areas around Australia our wilderness area is distinguished by its accessibility to visitors coming from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and its proximity to unique communities including Mallacoota, Bemm River and Eden that that are bases for exploring spectacular lakes, rivers, forests and beaches.
In addtition, the linkage between the two National Landscapes, part of which lie in East Gippsland - Australia's Coastal Wilderness and the Australian Alps means that a strong marketing partnership can be formed. This will enable a more successful delivery of the product to the international and domestic markets so benefitting the tourism industry and numerous communities in both East Gippsland's coastal region and High Country. " she said.
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