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Visit West Gippsland for inspiration
A brand new guide to the arts and artists of Baw Baw has been produced and is available free of charge for residents and visitors. The brochure is a comprehensive guide full of information on galleries, performance venues and artist’s home studios in the Baw Baw Shire.
With a map and reference grid this brochure is a perfect companion for a weekend excursion, to find that special gift or to just be inspired by the talent that we have in such abundance locally.
For further information contact Baw Baw Shire Cultural Development Officer, Karen Whitaker – Taylor on 56 242407 or click here to receive your free copy of the Arts brochure.
Those who enjoy creativity will find Gippsland today hosts a wealth and diversity of artistic experiences. Charming villages such as Yarragon, which can rightly claim the title to the premier Baw Baw Country destination for the arts, is bursting with top quality galleries and antiques. There are gifts, collectables, fashion, books and specialty stores, mixed with cafes that showcase the best of Gippsland’s food and wine. Also find galleries and studios in Drouin, Neerim South, Trafalgar and Lillico.
The performing arts are also well catered for in Baw Baw Country with state of the art facilities in the major township of Warragul offering major national touring productions as well as local performances.
Many smaller villages host regular markets where you will find unique handcrafted works, local produce and crafts. You can also visit the artists and craftspeople themselves at the many intimate studios dotted throughout the region.
A series of comprehensive touring brochures are available that guide you through “Creative Gippsland”.
As you travel through Gippsland, more often then not you are following routes that the Gunai (Kurnai) and Monaro people have been travelling along for over 18,000 years. With the mountains to the north and the lakes and ocean to the south, the path which is now the Princes Highway formed the backbone of the network of trails and trading routes that spanned the region.
More recently, Gippsland was named Caledonia Australia in 1839 by Angus McMillan, the first European to discover the area. It became Gippsland two years later, when it was named by the explorer, Paul Strzelecki, in honour of the then New South Wales governor.
A rich history in gold, agriculture and timber has given West Gippsland strong ties to the past, you will find stunning examples of living history in many villages. In those times one of the busiest townships in Gippsland was the thriving gold mining township of Walhalla. Today, Walhalla is a special place nestled in a deep valley and standing almost frozen in time, much as it was a hundred years ago. Walhalla in the late 1800s was host to over 3,000 people, 10 hotels, 7 churches, schools and shops. The township now has a population fewer than 20, electricity was only connected in 1998 and some beautiful restorations have been lovingly completed. Walhalla has a large selection of bush-walking trails, many following old timber tramlines. Meander to the hilltop cricket ground or the Walhalla Cemetery, one of the most unusual in Australia, perched on the side of a steep hill. Take an underground tour through the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine to get a first hand feel for times past or visit the local museum. A trip on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway is also a “must see” taking in spectacular mountain scenery. Ghost tours are also available for the brave on the first three Saturday nights of the month through bookings
Visit Noojee, the ‘valley of or place of rest’ in Aboriginal, or the valley of contentment’ to current residents, the name says it all. Here you will find the remarkable Noojee Trestle Bridge, an historic former railway bridge and a marvel of the engineering techniques of the early 1900’s.
Old Gippstown, Gippsland’s Heritage Park, located in Moe represents an authentic Australian township featuring the history of Gippsland pioneers from the 1940’s. Over 30 original furnished buildings are featured, some with National Trust classification.
Those who enjoy creativity will find Gippsland today hosts a wealth and diversity of artistic experiences. Charming villages such as Yarragon, which can rightly claim the title to the premier Baw Baw Country destination for the arts, is bursting with top quality galleries and antiques. There are gifts, collectables, fashion, books and specialty stores, mixed with cafes that showcase the best of Gippsland’s food and wine. Also find galleries and studios in Drouin, Neerim South, Trafalgar and Lillico.
The performing arts are also well catered for in Baw Baw Country with state of the art facilities in the major township of Warragul offering major national touring productions as well as local performances.
Many smaller villages host regular markets where you will find unique handcrafted works, local produce and crafts. You can also visit the artists and craftspeople themselves at the many intimate studios dotted throughout the region.
A series of comprehensive touring brochures are available that guide you through “Creative Gippsland”.
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