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High Country ... more places

Walhalla Area (near Baw Baw National Park)

West Gippsland merges into the High Country and one tiny town well worth a visit in this area is Walhalla, not far from Mount Baw Baw and the Baw Baw National Park www.parkweb.vic.gov.au(Baw Baw). It was once one of the richest gold mining centres and still has several original buildings set on the sides of a steep valley. Much of the rest of the town has been beautifully reconstructed/restored and you can visit the Long Tunnel Extended Goldmine.

The north of this area merges into the High Country and one tiny town well worth a visit is Walhalla; (strictly speaking Walhalla is in West Gippsland.) It was once one of the richest gold mining centres and still has several original buildings set on the side of a steep valley. Much of the rest of the town has been beautifully reconstructed/restored and you can visit the Long Tunnel Extended Goldmine or take a train on the restored Walhalla Goldfields Railway. The faithfully reconstructed Star Hotel, opposite the picturesque bandstand, is the striking centre of the town and conveniently situated for cross country skiing in the winter. Walhalla was the last town in Victoria to get mains electricity and only achieved this around the turn of the 21st century thanks to the sterling efforts of the local community!

Snowy River National Park

In East Gippsland north of Orbost is the Snowy River National Park www.parkweb.vic.gov.au(Snowy River), 390 km from Melbourne. This harsh and wild area is great for bushwalking, camping and canoeing and is best enjoyed in summer. The Snowy River has lost much of its flow to the hydro electric scheme but can still produce dramatic floods and has wonderful gorges and rapids.

Mitchell River National Park

To the west of the Snowy River National Park just beyond Lakes Entrance is the Mitchell River National Park www.parkweb.vic.gov.au(Mitchell River), accessed from Princes Highway near Bairnsdale on the Dargo Road. Again a place for canoeing, camping and walking. One highlight easily accessed by car is a a cave with stalagtites called the Den of Nargun, reached by a l km track from the car park.

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