Get a taste for Gippsland's best food and wine, on a trail across the region's west, south and east. Discover cafes, restaurants, cellar doors and breweries serving up award-winning cool-climate wines, mouth-watering farm-fresh cheeses, small batch craft beers and gins, and menus packed with the best regional produce. Bring a basket and an empty esky. You'll want to take these flavours home with you.
West
Get off to a great start at the gateway to the Gippsland wine region, Cannibal Creek Winery at Tynong North. Sample award-winning chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir matched with French fare at the cellar door and restaurant.
In Warragul, get a taste for fine regional food with a class at String+Salt cooking school for a hands-on Gippsland culinary experience.
Resume your culinary journey at Hogget Kitchen. In summer, the deck's glorious vineyard views beckon; in winter, the open fire produces perfect dinner-and-red conditions. Further east, Narkoojee Winery offers magnificent views of the Strzelecki Ranges with its range of handcrafted wines. Make time for the seasonal Mediterranean inspired menu at the winery's restaurant By Jorg.
Finish your West Gippsland culinary journey with innovative flavour combinations and fresh Gippsland produce at one of Traralgon's new wave of eateries – try Neilsons Kitchen, Little Prince, Good Land Brewing Co or MOMO.
South
Lock in the start of your south-coast food and wine discovery with a trip to Loch Brewery and Distillery. Housed in the village's former bank building & butcher's shop, the brewery and distillery produces small batch traditional ales, famous gins, and a single malt whisky.
Since you're in Loch, make some time to check out the Gippsland Wine Company and their award-winning cool-climate wines. Their cellar door pulls drops from five different vineyards, so there's plenty of tastings to get through.
Further down the coast, you'll find the town of Foster, and the delightful crew at Gurneys Cidery. This family run brew-house has stunning views over the Prom, not to mention 7000 heritage apple cider trees. We recommend one of their renowned Underground Tasting Tours.
Next stop? Drive inland to Mirboo North and the charming Jacican Cooking School and Food Studio. All the classes use local, Gippsland-grown ingredients, and owner Jaci hosts everything from pastry-making to lolly workshops. No prior experience necessary.
Meander down to foodie village Meeniyan. Moo's breakfast classics, lunches and regional weekend dinners celebrate locally sourced produce and Trulli offers a slice of quality local and Italian ingredients with vino. If you're staying overnight, stock up on provisions at The Meeniyan Store, Pandesal Bakery and Trulli Pantry.
Returning northward, Wonthaggi's community-minded cafe The Coffee Collective will see you fixed for caffeine and a range of locally sourced and house-made menu treats.
As you make your way along the Bass Highway, stop at the Kilcunda Store for breakfast, lunch and legendary brownies; head to The Sticks and fill a basket with fresh produce at Udder and Hoe; then visit Bassine Specialty Cheeses for fresh feta, brie, camembert, washed rind, halloumi and more, plus milk and cream straight from the farm.
East
Ease into East Gippsland with locally caught seafood and stunning waterfront views at Wharf Fish and Chips on the Port Albert jetty. From here, make your way northeast to boutique vineyard Carrajung Estate. Sample wines and cheeses at the cellar door, and take in views of rolling green hills, vines and blue gums from the deck.
Continuing northeast, discover lovingly restored country pubs, the Criterion Hotel in Sale, and the Tinamba Hotel, both showcasing the best of Gippsland's craft beer, wines and produce.
Take yourself on a cellar door tour of nearby wineries: schedule plenty of wine time at Glenmaggie Wines, Blue Gables Vineyard and Vines on Avon to take in the views and stock up your cellar.
At Lindenow, stop for a fresh, simple, breakfast or lunch packed with locally sourced produce at The Long Paddock and savour Lightfoot & Sons' renowned pinot noir, chardonnay and shiraz at their cellar door with lovely Lindenow Valley views. Then make your way to Bruthen for a 'beer with bite' at Bullant Brewery, where beers are paired with the best regionally sourced bites. As sundown hits head for the Marlo Hotel, overlooking the magnificent Snowy River Estuary. The sunsets from the deck are not to be missed.
Out and about, keep an eye out in local pubs and stores for fine craft beers from Sailors Grave Brewing, Orbost-based producers of barrel-aged, cool-ship sours and wild fermented beers, as the brewery is not open to the public.
Heading south, explore local wineries: single vineyard Tambo Winery and Nicholson River Winery, perfect for a picnic overlooking the Nicholson River.
Dine your way around the seaside villages of the Gippsland Lakes. Kick off with breakfast overlooking the ocean at popular Lakes Entrance restaurant Albert & Co, or treat yourself to dinner at Sardine in Paynesville from former Vue de Monde head chef Mark Briggs.
