Kate’s Maffra guidebook
Sightseeing
A great place to visit for so many reasons! An absolutely stunning natural bushland landscape, not to mention perfect swimming spot. Blue Pool is also very significant to Braiakaulung women as a sacred birthing pool.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Pool
Freestone Creek RoadA great place to visit for so many reasons! An absolutely stunning natural bushland landscape, not to mention perfect swimming spot. Blue Pool is also very significant to Braiakaulung women as a sacred birthing pool.
The mighty 'Mac' runs right through town. It's historically important to both the colonial and indigenous heritage of the area. There are some gorgeous walks and views along this beautiful river.
Macalister River
The mighty 'Mac' runs right through town. It's historically important to both the colonial and indigenous heritage of the area. There are some gorgeous walks and views along this beautiful river.
Discover pockets of lush rainforest and dramatic river gorges.
Just north of Bairnsdale, the deeply rugged Mitchell River National Park has a clutch of remote river gorges, open forest and rainforest gullies which flank the serpentine Mitchell River.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mitchell River National Park
Wallers RoadDiscover pockets of lush rainforest and dramatic river gorges.
Just north of Bairnsdale, the deeply rugged Mitchell River National Park has a clutch of remote river gorges, open forest and rainforest gullies which flank the serpentine Mitchell River.
Set on the lush Avon River, Stratford is a tranquil town with an artsy vibe.
The gently flowing river and persistent bird song provides a scenic backdrop for swimming, fishing and canoeing. Unique homewares, clothing, gifts and craft stores jostle for space along the town’s main street.
SHAKESPEAREAN TIES
The town has links to its sister town, Stratford-Upon-Avon in England, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The Shakespeare-themed Apex Park is the starting point of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
The Stratford Art Trail showcases Shakespeare through the ages and the artistic and festive spirit of the community. The Art Trail starts at the Stratford Sister Cities globe sculpture outside of the library. A full description of the trail is accessed via a QR code. Journey past sculptures and creative spaces, and listen to song and stories, on the self-guided 3km walking tour through the town. Grab your MP3 guided tour, MP3 player and map from the Segue Cafe in Tyers Street.
Stratford
Set on the lush Avon River, Stratford is a tranquil town with an artsy vibe.
The gently flowing river and persistent bird song provides a scenic backdrop for swimming, fishing and canoeing. Unique homewares, clothing, gifts and craft stores jostle for space along the town’s main street.
SHAKESPEAREAN TIES
The town has links to its sister town, Stratford-Upon-Avon in England, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The Shakespeare-themed Apex Park is the starting point of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
The Stratford Art Trail showcases Shakespeare through the ages and the artistic and festive spirit of the community. The Art Trail starts at the Stratford Sister Cities globe sculpture outside of the library. A full description of the trail is accessed via a QR code. Journey past sculptures and creative spaces, and listen to song and stories, on the self-guided 3km walking tour through the town. Grab your MP3 guided tour, MP3 player and map from the Segue Cafe in Tyers Street.
Very cute little town just North of Maffra, surrounded by beautiful bushland. Definitely worth a stop on the way to Blue Pool. Visit the Gallery and the pub for sure.
Briagolong
Very cute little town just North of Maffra, surrounded by beautiful bushland. Definitely worth a stop on the way to Blue Pool. Visit the Gallery and the pub for sure.
Definitely worth the drive. Cute town with a great coastline.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lakes Entrance
Definitely worth the drive. Cute town with a great coastline.
Stunningly beautiful coastline. Great for dipping your feet, wading and sunbathing. Also I'm told the fishing is excellent.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ninety Mile Beach
Stunningly beautiful coastline. Great for dipping your feet, wading and sunbathing. Also I'm told the fishing is excellent.
I walk my dog here nearly every day. The wetlands are beautiful with a great variety of birdlife and native plants. The boardwalk and track make for a really lovely walk.
Maffra Wetlands Reserve
I walk my dog here nearly every day. The wetlands are beautiful with a great variety of birdlife and native plants. The boardwalk and track make for a really lovely walk.
It’s lush. It’s green. It’s one of the most heart-stirring places you can find and quite unlike any other place in Victoria.
This little pocket of rainforest (the cool temperate kind) is one of the last remaining in the state. In this secret land, it’s as if you’ve unknowingly taken the “Drink Me” potion: walking trails are dwarfed by giant ferns and towering mountain ash trees. Fronds of ancient myrtle beech stretch from either side of the path creating an emerald canopy pierced by thin shafts of sunlight.
Breathe in the fresh, sweet smell of the chocolatey soil underfoot, to the soundtrack of trickling streams and the call of a distant lyrebird.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Tarra-Bulga
1885 Grand Ridge RdIt’s lush. It’s green. It’s one of the most heart-stirring places you can find and quite unlike any other place in Victoria.
This little pocket of rainforest (the cool temperate kind) is one of the last remaining in the state. In this secret land, it’s as if you’ve unknowingly taken the “Drink Me” potion: walking trails are dwarfed by giant ferns and towering mountain ash trees. Fronds of ancient myrtle beech stretch from either side of the path creating an emerald canopy pierced by thin shafts of sunlight.
Breathe in the fresh, sweet smell of the chocolatey soil underfoot, to the soundtrack of trickling streams and the call of a distant lyrebird.
Food & Wine scene
Loved by locals and visitors alike. It's such a gorgeous building, I always make sure to pass it on my walks.
Duart Homestead
20 McLean StreetLoved by locals and visitors alike. It's such a gorgeous building, I always make sure to pass it on my walks.
Beautifully designed venue with some truly amazing food.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tinamba Hotel
4-6 Tinamba-Seaton RdBeautifully designed venue with some truly amazing food.
The Food Store
39 Carpenter StLovely little cafe with some great food.
The Vines on Avon
446 Stratford-Maffra RdI haven't visted The Vines yet, but it gets great reviews
Cute cafe with excellent food and coffee, well worth the drive to neightbouring town, Stratford.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Badger & Hare
20 Tyers StCute cafe with excellent food and coffee, well worth the drive to neightbouring town, Stratford.
Coffee
Best coffee in town for sure. They also have some great cakes and snacks if you’re after healthier food, along with plenty of organic products and produce. They’re located just past Woolies on this side of Johnson St (turn right as your leave the front door).
The Pickle Pot
109A Little Johnson StBest coffee in town for sure. They also have some great cakes and snacks if you’re after healthier food, along with plenty of organic products and produce. They’re located just past Woolies on this side of Johnson St (turn right as your leave the front door).
Excellent food menu for breakfast and lunch, and they're always busy. A local favourite.
Coffee House 138
138 Johnson StExcellent food menu for breakfast and lunch, and they're always busy. A local favourite.
Museums
Gippsland Vehicle Collection
1 Maffra-Sale RdTakeaway
If you like your pizzas loaded, the best pizza in town is Mr Pizza, also just over the road (turn left as you leave the front door). We get our pizzas here exclusively!
Mr Pizza Maffra
52 Johnson StreetIf you like your pizzas loaded, the best pizza in town is Mr Pizza, also just over the road (turn left as you leave the front door). We get our pizzas here exclusively!
Red Rose Takeaway, just past Maffra Sports Club, is reliable, reasonably priced, no frills food. The owners and staff are lovely and the food is good quality. Nothing fancy but it hits the spot!
Red Rose Cafe
128 Johnson StRed Rose Takeaway, just past Maffra Sports Club, is reliable, reasonably priced, no frills food. The owners and staff are lovely and the food is good quality. Nothing fancy but it hits the spot!
Pubs
*** EDIT: I'm not sure if the Mac is currently open as it's either being sold or has been sold***
The Macillister Hotel is a classic Aussie country pub, with pool tables, a solid collection of booze and a huge outdoor smokers’ area. It's definitely a great place to meet the locals. Karaoke night is HILARIOUS. The Bistro serves the kind of menu you’d expect from a country pub, and if you’re after something hearty but basic it doesn’t disappoint.
Macalister Hotel
2 Johnson St*** EDIT: I'm not sure if the Mac is currently open as it's either being sold or has been sold***
The Macillister Hotel is a classic Aussie country pub, with pool tables, a solid collection of booze and a huge outdoor smokers’ area. It's definitely a great place to meet the locals. Karaoke night is HILARIOUS. The Bistro serves the kind of menu you’d expect from a country pub, and if you’re after something hearty but basic it doesn’t disappoint.
The beautiful building is an integral part of Maffra history, and the food is... well, it's not bad. Well-priced and nicely presented.
Maffra Community Sports Club Inc.
126 Little Johnson StThe beautiful building is an integral part of Maffra history, and the food is... well, it's not bad. Well-priced and nicely presented.
From the outside this place doesn't look like much, but it really is a gem. During covid a lot of time and effort was put into making this a destination pub, and they've done a great job.
The outdoor area is just gorgeous and definitely worth a visit at sunset. The food is good and the staff are excellent.
I highly recommend the drive to Newry, it's a very cute little town.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farmer's Arms Hotel
61 Main StFrom the outside this place doesn't look like much, but it really is a gem. During covid a lot of time and effort was put into making this a destination pub, and they've done a great job.
The outdoor area is just gorgeous and definitely worth a visit at sunset. The food is good and the staff are excellent.
I highly recommend the drive to Newry, it's a very cute little town.