Bairnsdale is located along
the banks of the magnificent Mitchell River, 285 kms east of Melbourne
on the Princes Highway.
Forming the gateway to the wonders of
the Lakes and Wilderness region, Bairnsdale provides easy access to the
Gippsland Lakes, beaches, rivers, forests and mountains. Bairnsdale is
also the starting point for the Great Alpine Road Touring route taking
in the snow fields of Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham.
The Bairnsdale region is noted for
its moderate climate, with mild winters and delightful summer and autumn
periods. Rainfall averages 700mm per year.
Bairnsdale, with a population of nearly
12,000 people, is East Gippsland's only city. Bairnsdale is the administrative
centre for the East Gippsland Shire and the hub of commercial and business
activity in the region including the key industries of tourism, timber,
agriculture and horticulture.
Educational
facilities are well represented with three public and two private
primary schools, one public and one private secondary colleges, a TAFE college and a very active adult community education centre. A special
school to service the needs of disabled children in the region is being
established.
Accommodation If enquiring about accommodation, please mention you saw the link on eastgippsland.com
There is a wide range of accommodation to suit every need - from bed & breakfast establishments to motels, hotels, caravan parks with camping grounds & self contained rural cottages.
Bairnsdale Motels
Traveller's Rest Motel
Looking for budget accommodation in the heart of Bairnsdale?
Within easy walking distance to restaurants, pubs, shopping and the beautiful Mitchell River, the Traveller's Rest Motel is an ideal base for visiting the natural beauty of East Gippsland.
14 comfortable units - all ground floor.
All units contain en-suite, reverse cycle air conditioner, colour TV, electric blanket, tea and coffee making facilities and refrigerator.
Complimentary features include Internet Cafe, bbq, DVD player and lots of DVDs.
Great rates - great breakfasts! The affordable choice in Bairnsdale.
Situated at Nicholson, just 50 metres from the river and a short drive to either Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance, the Retreat Hotel-Motel offers 9 fully serviced Motel Units,
with cooked or continental breakfast (extra).
Ample parking for boats and trailers - Adjacent Boat Ramp - Great Fishing Location -
River Views - Barbeque area for guests -
Parking adjacent to unit
Bairnsdale area Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfast
The Wildflower Farm Bed and Breakfast
Your privacy and relaxation are assured when you enjoy sole occupancy of the mudbrick suite situated in the middle of 2 acres of gardens and 30 acres of wildflower farm.
With afternoon tea on arrival, complimentary port and chocolates when you return home after dinner, and delicious 3 course breakfast served in your own lounge, or on the vine covered verandah, every attempt is made to increase your enjoyment.
You can wander through the wildflowers, visit the farm plant nursery,walk through the adjacent State forest, enjoy local attractions,or just curl up and relax. Heaps of interesting places to visit within easy driving distance.
Tara House (c.1880) has been restored to its original grandeur and features classical new ensuites, choice of four poster queen room with claw bath, plush queen room and ornate antique Brass double with divan/single. Set on half an acre of English gardens with large ornamental trees, guests can indulge in luxury from a bygone era. Relax in the separate guests lounge and grand Dining room, each with open fires, or enjoy a meal on our wide verandahs or a shady spot in the garden under an umbrella.
Air conditioned with off street parking, we are ideally positioned at the gateway to the Lakes, ocean and Alpine ranges. We invite our guests to enjoy afternoon tea on arrival. Gourmet breakfast is included of course, and we also have three course dinner available. Dinner parties can be catered for as well as Sunday lunch in the garden.
Bairnsdale is a pleasant, well designed city with wide tree lined streets. The centre piece being the beautiful Main Street gardens.
Walkers are well catered for in Bairnsdale, with the Mitchell River Walking tracks, Bairnsdale Heritage walk & MacLeod Morass Boardwalk Trail, where many species of birds may be seen.
Cycling
Cyclists can travel along the East Gippsland Rail Trail, a scenic trail from Bairnsdale to Nowa Nowa - a distance of approximately 60 klms
Fishing
Anglers can fish the Mitchell River and it's backwater within the Bairnsdale city boundary for species such as bream, flathead, garfish and perch.
Markets
A Farmers market can be found in the grounds of the Bairnsdale Secondary College on the first Saturday of each month. 8am - 12 noon.
There is also a popular Sunday market held on the fourth Sunday of each month. Located in Howitt Park, Bairnsdale, close to the Mitchell River bridge.
Tthe market has approx 100 stalls, selling a wide range of new and second-hand goods.
St Mary's Church
The City has retained many of its historic buildings, the most famous being St. Mary's Catholic Church which features unique murals painted on it's walls and ceiling by Italian artist Francesco Floreani.
The city also boasts some excellent galleries, museums and craft centres.
Antiques and collectables
There are many antique shops in Bairnsdale.
Visit Bairnsdale Clocks and Alltime Antiques at the western entrance to the town - the largest antique shop in East Gippsland and the largest provincial antique clock shop in Australia.
Always a wide range of antiques and collectables for sale - plus a clock museum with over 1000 interesting and rare clocks on display.
Bairnsdale Cinema
McLeod Street - tel: (03) 5152 6455 Modern 3-screen cinema complex featuring fully air-conditioned comfort, Digital sound & easy disabled access. All the latest mainstream commercial releases as well as regular art-house movies. Twice yearly International Film Festivals. Cinema available for large or small group bookings-such as Film luncheons and Charity fund-raising Film nights.
Bairnsdale Archery Mini Golf and Games
459 Princes Highway, Bairnsdale. Easily found on the eastern end of town - on the way to Lakes Entrance - tel: (03) 5156 8655
Museums and Galleries
Bairnsdale Clock Museum 704 Princes Highway, Bairnsdale - tel: (03) 5152 6962.
Over 1000 clocks on display, workshop and large antique sales room.
Jenkins of Johnsonville - Orchard and Farm Shed Shop and Gallery
Our family has been producing fruit at Jenkins Orchard and farm for four generations. We have a passion to produce farm fresh, tree ripened fruit with flavour.
We are located half way between Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance - not far from the Tambo River (which is famous for its bream fishing).
We sell a mixture of modern and old fruit varieties, some of which were grown by Graeme's great grandfather, directly to the public from our farm shed shop.
Restaurants offering a variety of cuisines along with cafés, pubs and clubs ensure eating and socialising in Bairnsdale is a delightful experience. For those on the move, Bairnsdale also offers Subway, McDonalds, KFC and a range of fast food outlets .
Opals Restaurant
Sample some of Australia's best regional food and wine at Opals and stay a while in fabulous East Gippsland.
Bairnsdale is the commercial centre of East Gippsland and has has a wide variety of shopping on offer. K-Mart, Target, Rivers, Safeways and Coles are all located within a short walk of each other and car parking is widely available.
The CBD also offers a wide range of speciality shops.
East Gippsland Bookstore and School Distributors
East Gippsland Bookstore and School Distributors is an independent bookstore with a very extensive range of books, stationery, art supplies and specialise in the supply of educational materials.
Located on the Princes Highway, 3klm outside Bairnsdale on the way to lakes Entrance, the Jolly Jumbuk is known as Australia's Best Wool Shop. Visitors can view quality woollen jumpers being made and purchase from a wide range of Australian made souvenirs and gifts.
eastgippsland.com is an independent site, not related to or financially supported in any way by any East Gippsland civic institution or East Gippsland tourism body. We provide links and web design services for the East Gippsland region - Bairnsdale, Orbost, Omeo, Swifts Creek, Paynesville, Johnsonville, Swan Reach, Tambo Upper, Kalimna, Buchan, Bruthen, Mallacoota, Lindenow, Lindenow South, Sarsfield, Dargo, Metung, Marlo, Cann River, Lake Bunga, Lake Tyers, Nowa Nowa and Lakes Entrance. Our links cover accommodation, antiques, business and financial services, education, ecommerce, ecotourism, eateries, shopping and real estate.
