To explore by caravan Victoria’s beautiful Gippsland region is to escape to an eco-paradise. Unspoilt beaches, pristine rainforests, snowfields, hiking and riding trails. Ancient forests contain trees that have stood for centuries; it’s a place where time has stood still. 

Spring or summer is the best time to visit the Gippsland region and you’ll need between three to five days to explore the 500km area by road. This exquisite region is home to over 100 wineries, 14 national parks and the largest inland lakes system in the Southern Hemisphere. So, you might find five days isn’t long enough to explore all that Gippsland has to offer. But that’s the beauty of van life - you can always come back and take advantage of one of the many free camping spots the region has to offer! 

Here are 5 stops to make as you travel Gippsland by van. 

Wilsons Promontory 

No trip through Gippsland is complete without stopping at the Prom. Located at the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland, Wilsons Promontory is a wildlife-rich coastal wilderness known for its squeaky white beaches, unusual rock formations, and stunning views. You can take a cruise around the islands, home to colonies of fur seals, dolphins, whales and white-bellied sea eagles. End the day by climbing Mount Oberon to enjoy a panoramic view. 

Tarra Bulga National Park  

Heading back inland, be sure to stop at the Tarra Bulga National Park to enjoy the Strzelecki Ranges. Take a walk through this ancient rainforest, crossing the famous Corrigan Suspension Bridge, and don’t miss Cyathea Falls, which cascades 10 metres into the creek below. 

Ninety Mile Beach

Visit one of the longest stretches of sand in the world, Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually 94 miles long). For those of us who prefer the metric system, that’s 151kms of golden sand that separates the Gippsland Lakes from Bass Strait. Stop at one of several sleepy village towns dotted along the coast to enjoy unspoilt stretches of beach and cast a line for a spot of surf fishing. Depending on the time of year you visit, whale and dolphin sightings are possible, too.

Gippsland Lakes 

Gippsland Lakes, Australia's largest inland waterways, is the perfect place to spend a few days. Take a drive along the Mitchell River silt jetties, 8kms of unusually long, narrow silt banks. Naturally formed over thousands of years, these are the second-largest silt jetties in the world. Leave the van to take a free ferry to Raymond Island where you can spot koalas up close in their natural habitat. 

Buchan Caves 

In the alpine region of East Gippsland, Buchan Caves Reserve is a must-see. Take a tour of the ancient limestone caves where you’ll see the calcite-rimmed pools in the Royal Cave and the intricately formed stalactites and stalagmites of Fairy Cave. 

Whether you are looking to go off road caravaning or like the community feel of seaside caravan parks, there are plenty of free and paid options where you can set up camp and take in the Gippsland. If you are taking advantage of the variety of free campsites available in the Gippsland region, this map of dump points will assist you in disposing of your waste responsibly while you tour the natural wonders the area has to offer.