Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GRAND RIDGE ROAD
The spectacular 132km Grand Ridge Road winds along the top of the Strzelecki Ranges, running from midway
between Warragul and Korumburra to midway between Traralgon and Yarram. The (mostly) gravel road provides
a fabulous excursion through fertile farmland once covered with forests of giant mountain ash and valleys of gi-
ant tree ferns.
The drive is a great alternative to the Princes Hwy, but if you're going to travel the length of it, allow the best
part of a day. Pick the road up (signposted from the highway) south of Warragul. Just 3km along is the excellent
Wild Dog Winery
( 03-5623 2211;
www.wilddogwinery.com
;
Warragul-Korumburra Rd; restaurant mains
around $35; cellar door 10am-5pm, restaurant 11.30am-2.30pm Wed & Thu, to 2.30pm & 6-9pm Fri,
10am-3pm Sat & Sun), one of Gippsland's first wineries. It produces a range of cool-climate wines, all grown and
bottled on its 30 acres, and has an excellent restaurant with views across the Strzelecki Ranges.
The only community of any size along the Grand Ridge Road is the pretty township of
Mirboo North
. It's
home to Gippsland's only brewery, the award-winning
Grand Ridge Brewery & Restaurant
( 03-5668
2222;
www.grand-ridge.com.au
; Main St; mains $20-28; brewery daily, restaurant noon-3pm & 6-9pm Wed-
Sun), producing a range of chemical- and preservative-free beer. The restaurant food is fresh, prepared from local
produce, and includes steaks from the local beef producer, tapas plates and roo fillet.
Continuing, you'll pass through the rainforest gully of
Tarra-Bulga National Park
, one of the last remnants
of the magnificent forests that once covered all of south Gippsland. There are some good short walks here, in-
cluding the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk to
Cyathea Falls
(1.5km, 35 minutes return) and the easy
Fern Gully
Nature Walk
(750m, 15 minutes return). Camping is not permitted in the park but you can stay at the nearby
Tarra Valley Tourist Park
( 03-5186 1283;
www.tarra-valley.com
;
1906 Tarra Valley Rd; unpowered/
powered sites $26/36, cabins $120-175) nestled in rainforest, with camping in a pretty riverside setting and cabin
accommodation.
For sheer indulgence, stop at the
Tarra Valley Rainforest Retreat
( 03-5186 1313;
www.tarravalleyrainforestretreat.com
;
1788 Tarra Valley Rd; d $180; ), elegant Swiss chalet-style accom-
modation that doubles as a chocolate-making school. Chocolate appreciation courses with the resident chocolate
maker cost $50/55 for guests/nonguests.
