South Gippsland, which stretches from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to Wilsons Promontory, is gorgeous, green and a gastronomic delight.
It’s early summer when I take a road trip to explore the gourmet offerings of Victoria’s South Gippsland region and my adventure quickly proves fruitful. I’m seduced by signs urging me towards a rest area just minutes after I’ve turned onto the South Gippsland Highway.
There, I find a farmer selling cherries, boxes of almost-ripe mangoes, plump stone fruit and sweet strawberries. I load up my basket with snacks for the road and head for Inverloch.
1. Pearl
We have dinner reservations at Pearl, a modern Malaysian restaurant tucked away in a residential part of town. Worth hunting out for the slow-cooked beef rendang alone – made with Gippsland beef, of course – this restaurant is a surprising introduction to a gourmet weekend in this often underestimated part of the state.
What it lacks in ambience, it makes up for in bursts of authentic Malay flavour, with spice levels catered to. Crispy fried squid with a sweet, spicy mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, furikake and bonito flakes is followed by barramundi with sambal and charred lime.
Pearl is worth hunting out for the slow-cooked beef rendang alone.
2. Waratah Hills Vineyard
We use Tarwin Lower as a base to explore South Gippsland. Our first stop is Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek, a 16-hectare property with a cellar door and restaurant.
Waratah Hills Vineyard has a cellar door and restaurant.
This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and the vines are planted dense and low in the French style. Renowned local Marcus Satchell is the winemaker and his light touch is evident in the Prom Road and Waratah Hills labels.
This slice of Gippsland is ideal for growing chardonnay grapes.
Here, guests are encouraged to play pétanque and have a pinot noir (or blanc de noir) with vineyard views. Kids can tumble on the grass while adults enjoy a pizza in the casual outdoor eatery or an indulgent cheese platter in the restaurant.
While away the hours at Waratah Hills Vineyard.
3. Gurneys Cider
Next we visit Gurneys Cidery, home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. Named The Arches, the structure was purchased from the former Hazlewood coal mine and repurposed as a cellar. Inside, gentle music floats around the dimly lit room.
Gurneys Cidery is home to the world’s largest underground cider cellar door. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Our guide tells us about Dr Matsuro Emoto’s water experiment, which theorised that the molecular structure of water is shaped by its environment, particularly human thoughts, emotions and intentions.
Just like some people talk to plants to help them grow, music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. The tasting flight convinces me of the experiment’s validity.
Music is played at Gurneys to help nurture the cider and improve its flavour. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The Gurnett family moved to Australia in 2001 from England and, missing their beloved cider, started foraging for apples and making cider with second-hand juicers. They purchased this property and planted over three hectares of heritage apple varieties, then built the restaurant and a home with views of rolling hills.
Bring your dog along. (Image: Tourism Australia)
4. Moo’s at Meeniyan
Gnocchi is the favourite dish at Moo’s at Meeniyan according to owner Marty Thomas. The potato pasta is made by Meeniyan local Francesco Laera, who runs Trulli, the Italian restaurant in town. The carbonara sauce, elevated with mushrooms from nearby fungi farm and accommodation Wattle Bank Farm and Gippsland chardonnay cream sauce with local bacon, is rich and deeply satisfying.
Sit outside and devour some gnocchi at Moo’s at Meeniyan. (Image: Sarah Paynter)
Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. Have coffee, a salad of roasted cauliflower, black rice, chickpea, cranberry, rocket and goat’s cheese or a small plate of shrimp spring rolls.
Moo’s at Meeniyan is a natural resting stop on the road between the city and the coast. (Image: Sarah Paynter)
5. Fleet Wines
Lisa and Justin Jenkins opened their Korumburra cellar door in November 2023. Designed as a place for their punters to enjoy wine, this long-term hospitality couple want their land to be in good shape for future generations.
Fleet Wines was designed so the land will be in good shape for future generations. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)
They are regenerating the soil at Fleet Wines and putting their heart and soul into creating deep connections with their neighbours, the land and the wildlife that lives upon it.
A wine tasting for good. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)
The couple are also busy planting native species to replenish the earth where their vines will grow. They’ve planted 8000 trees on their property since 2019.
“We like to make wines we’d like to drink, and we like to drink things that have energy and light and a sense of refreshment to them,” Lisa says.
Drop in for a tasting at Fleet Wines. (Image: Cam Suttie, Know Studio)
6. River Drive Motel
Our headlights illuminate a koala nonchalantly crossing the road on our drive back to River Drive Motel. We pull over, feeling both exhilarated and concerned, to ensure the koala’s safe passage and watch it disappear into the darkness.
Delight in retro revival at River Drive Motel. (Image: Albert Comper)
Each of the five rooms at the boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink and are flush with luxe elements.
The rooms are flush with luxe elements. (Image: Albert Comper)
I’m in The Snug, a double with a bathroom (including a bath) and kitchenette. The minibar is filled with local artisanal goods such as the A.R.C. Baw Baw White wine, gin from Loch Brewery & Distillery and Chappy’s Chips.
The boutique motel has been renovated in modern shades of green and pink. (Image: Albert Comper)
A garden shed has lawn games, deck chairs, beach towels and sunscreen. Guests can gather around the fire pit seated on tree stumps, arranged for this purpose, or cook a barbecue in the tranquil, expansive garden.
Dine in the tranquil, expansive garden. (Image: Albert Comper)
I’ve ordered croissants and muesli from Acacia Edibles for breakfast in the morning. I eat by the water at a 35-metre-long picnic table that has been crafted and curved to represent the flow of the Tarwin River. I then wander, absorbing the serenity, bowl in hand, along the water’s edge, taking photos of the bottlebrushes, birds and intricate patterns on the bark of the eucalyptus trees.
The motel supplies a welcome basket full of goodies. (Image: Albert Comper)
There’s plenty to do and see on a gastronomic journey around South Gippsland. This weekend was like a tasting plate of what the region has to offer. If only I could pack the whole gorgeous place into a picnic basket to take home.
