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We already knew that Victoria has it all when it comes to holidays, but it’s pretty validating when this pretty corner of Australia finds its way onto a global list. This week, the magical Gippsland region has been named one of the world’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027, earning a spot on Time Out Travel’s annual global round-up of 41 places worth putting on your radar. If your idea of a perfect getaway involves deserted beaches, winding alpine roads and long lunches fuelled by excellent local produce, it might be time to point the car east.
The sprawling region (Victoria’s largest region, roughly the same size as Switzerland) in the state’s east came in at number 39 on the global list, which celebrates destinations offering a quieter alternative to the world's overcrowded tourist hotspots. Curated by Time Out’s global network of travel writers and editors, the ranking shines a spotlight on places that deserve a little more attention, particularly as travellers increasingly seek out slower, more responsible ways to explore the world. And if you ask our team, Gippsland has a whole lot going for it.
Around a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne, the region is a natural wonderland of winding waterways, magical alpine roads and long stretches of white-sand coastline. Think sleepy seaside villages, wildlife-rich national parks and a whole lot of space to spread out your beach towel without fighting for a patch of sand.
But there's more to Gippsland than its spectacular scenery. The region has also developed a growing food and drink scene, with local producers shining the spotlight on everything from freshly caught seafood and artisan cheeses to free-range meats, cool-climate wines and organic fruit. In other words, it's the perfect place to plan a road trip around both the scenery and what's on the menu.
The recognition also comes at an important time for the region. Gippsland was hit hard by the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, which burned more than 400,000 hectares of land, isolated towns for weeks and had a devastating impact on local wildlife. The subsequent pandemic (we know the one) disrupted tourism even further, making the region's recovery a slow and ongoing process.
Time Out Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn says there's never been a better time to rediscover this corner of Victoria, with its charming, storybook-style villages, spectacular natural attractions and ever-delightful local food scene.
And with over-tourism pushing more travellers to look beyond the usual holiday hotspots, Gippsland makes a pretty compelling case for doing things differently in 2027.
You can check out the full global list over here.
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