Around Gippsland

Winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix queue, but that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria.  If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its fourth iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more. This year, the festivities kick off on June 21 and coincide with the winter solstice and the Victorian school holidays. Highlights of the program include a sunrise soak at Metung Hot Springs to celebrate World Bathing Day; a medieval fire festival at Bruthen complete with swordfights, costumes and bonfires; and an off-grid lunch series at Moscow Villa Hut with local chef Stuart Derham. There will also be plenty of glowing, illuminated experiences to enjoy. On July 6 head to Lakes Entrance Foreshore for a display of light projections, food trucks and roaming performers. Then on July 13 enjoy a magical night by the water in Paynesville with a lantern parade and outdoor cinema sesh. These highlights only scratch the surface, with a total of more than 100 events to choose from. To browse the full...