Gippsland comes to life this autumn with the region's striking flora, rolling hills and picturesque towns transitioning from green to golden brown. Renowned for its stunning wilderness, Gippsland will be embracing the season with a series of autumn offerings, activities and events beckoning visitors to be inspired by the changing foliage and breathtaking scenery.

Just a short drive from Melbourne, vibrant regional destinations including Omeo, Dargo, Mt Baw Baw and Walhalla come alive for visitors who wish to escape the city bustle and experience Gippsland's changing colours. Visitors can drink in the serenity and breathtaking beauty from Gippsland's best autumn viewing spots and scenic drives, indulge in fresh regional produce and take part in a series of enticing autumn events.

AUTUMN VIEWING SPOTS

Visitors to Gippsland can witness the striking scenery from an array of premium viewing spots throughout the region. Gold mining town Walhalla boasts autumn viewing within the hidden valley as the flora transitions into a kaleidoscope of gold, scarlet, ruby and amber. The flourishing poplars, maples, oaks, cherries and birches are best viewed from the entrance to the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, or for those wishing to surround themselves in the golden foliage, from Walhalla's own rotunda. For a different kind of colour change, visitors can feast their eyes upon the snow gums atop Mt Baw Baw, which add a dash of colour to the alpine landscape as their bark turns from silver to shades of amber and russet.

Gippsland's stunning autumn beauty can also be appreciated from the driver's seat. The Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Omeo and heading further north into Victoria's High Country, showcases magnificent poplar-lined valleys and vibrant wilderness with the rolling hills, valleys and alpine landscapes presenting a bright spectacle of unprecedented shades of orange and red.

How: Walhalla and Mt Baw Baw are both a two and a half hour drive from Melbourne. The Great Alpine Road begins in Bairnsdale and spans all the way to Wangaratta in the state's north.

Where to stay:

Wild Cherry Bed and Breakfast, Church Hill Road, Walhalla contact (03) 5165 6245

Walhalla's Star Hotel, Main Rd, Walhalla contact (03) 5165 6226

Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, Currawong Rd, Mt Baw Baw contact (03) 5165 1136

The Willows, 322 Callaghan Rd, Anglers Rest, contact (03) 5159 7241

SEASONAL LOCAL PRODUCE

Gippsland is home to some of the freshest and finest local produce. Autumn represents the walnut season and Gippsland is renowned for their delicious walnut offerings. The regional town of Dargo is at the heart of the walnut action, lined with 100 year old walnut trees throughout the main street.

Visitors can purchase Dargo's home-grown walnuts by the bag at the Dargo General Store or dine on walnut inspired gourmet dishes at the Tinamba Hotel including pumpkin and parmesan ravioli with burnt garlic thyme and toasted Dargo walnuts, and prosciutto wrapped house-made chicken and chorizo sausages with pickled Dargo walnuts.

How: Dargo is a four hour drive from Melbourne. For more information about directions to Dargo visit www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au.

AUTUMN COUNTRY EVENTS

Gippsland also has an impressive calendar of events this autumn for sporting fiends, art lovers and theatre fans to enjoy:

Seasons of Pain

As part of Mt Baw Baw's adventure sport series, the autumn installment of Seasons of Pain is designed to challenge competitors to the extreme. Adventure athletes of this mountain challenge will undertake a 42km race weaving through Mt Baw Baw's alpine region. Seasons of Pain can be entered by both riders and runners, either in teams or as individuals, as their endurance and speed are put to the test. For an extra sting, the race finishes with a run-bike-run-bike progression to ensure competitors are pushed to their pain limits.

When: Saturday 13 April

Where: Baw Baw Alpine Resort, Currawong Rd, Mt Baw Baw

W: www.mountbawbaw.com.au/whats-on/events/Seasons-Of-Pain--Auntumn

Baw Baw Classic

The Baw Baw Classic allows visitors to undertake the mountain biking challenge of a lifetime. Located at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort with a track that boasts the steepest incline in Victoria, the Baw Baw Classic contains a variety of challenging terrain alongside magnificent scenery. The challenge includes two options, the 134 km race or the 70 km race, and travels through regional towns including Trafalgar, Willow Grove and Warragul. The winner will claim $5,000 and the title of Victorian Mountain Biking Champion.

When: Sunday, 14 April

Where: Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, Currawong Rd, Mt Baw Baw

W: http://www.mountbawbaw.com.au/

Shakespeare on the River Festival

To be or not to be, that is the question for Gippsland's annual Shakespeare on the River Festival. The 2013 theme encapsulates the essence of Shakespeare and focuses on the importance of community. Visitors of the festival can enjoy the Avon Village Faire Day on May 4th with over 40 arts and crafts stalls, 2 outdoor stages with non-stop performances and even a medieval jousting contest between noble knights, as well as a medieval murder mystery banquet, a three kilometre interactive arts and sculpture trail and a performance of Shakespeare classic Hamlet. The festival itself is in its 22nd year encouraging the arts and theatre throughout Gippsland's town of Stratford, named after Shakespeare's birthtown Statford, England.

When: Sunday, 21st April to Sunday, 5th May

Where: The Courthouse Theatre, 66 Tyers St, Stratford

W: www.stratfordshakespeare.com.au/

Gippsland Art Festival

The impressive Gippsland Art Festival runs throughout the entire month of May and is an annual celebration of sculptors, painters, musicians and performers within the Gippsland region. The 2013 festival theme is Space, with artists interpreting and creating space inspired artworks. From a space themed sculpture show in the shire of Jindivick, to a community effort to create a Great Gippsland Gatescape (a joint effort by Gippslanders to transform their gates into creative pieces of art to form an arts trail across the region and entice visitors off the main roads into Gippsland's rural heart), Gippsland is set to transform itself into a wonderland of visual and interactive artistic splendour. The popular musical Hairspray and family favourite Possum Magic will also be part of the month-long festivities. For a full events and activities listing visit http://creativegippsland.com.au/

When: The month of May

Where: Throughout Gippsland. Visit the website for specific performance and exhibition locations.

W: http://creativegippsland.com.au/festival_2013

For bookings or more information on attractions, sights and accommodation in Gippsland visit www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au.


MEDIA CONTACT
Genevieve Day
genevieve@mediamoguls.com.au
(03) 9836 2167