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Media Releases

Visit North East and East Gippsland this long weekend

POSTED: 
23 January 2020

The Australia Day long weekend presents a wonderful opportunity to support Regional Victoria. A number of regional communities in East Gippsland and North East are open and welcoming visitors. You can support regional Victoria by booking a trip, attending regional events, purchasing local produce, wine crafts and goods

 

High Country towns such as Bright, Beechworth, Rutherglen and Mansfield are open and welcoming visitors. In the Upper Murray, Corryong will be open to visitors from 7am, Friday 24 January. All alpine resorts, including Falls Creek, Hotham and Buller / Stirling are open however visitors are unable to travel into or out of this area via Omeo.

 

South and West Gippsland, including Wilsons Promontory are open. In East Gippsland Lakes Entrance, Metung, Paynesville and Loch Sport are welcoming visitors and provide the perfect setting for a short break by water over this weekend. 

 

Victorians can also support the remaining affected parts of East Gippsland, High Country and Upper Murray regions by booking a stay now and visiting later, once it is safe to do so.  For latest updates on the affected areas please visit VicEmergency.

 

A number of Parks and Forests are open across Victoria. Before you plan to visit or camp in parks and forests this long weekend you can check if the park or forest you are planning to visit is open. For park closures www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/fire-affected-parks and for forest closures: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/media-releases/park-and-forest-closures

 

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to visit safe areas in East Gippsland and North East areas but are asked to please respect the privacy of residents who may have been impacted by the fire.

 

There are a number of areas where road access is limited to residents and permit holders only. When you are visiting these areas you must check VicTraffic before you leave to ensure your route is safe to travel on https://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/.

 

Accredited Visitor information Centres can assist in helping you plan your journey.

 

If you have accommodation bookings in these areas over the next few weeks you should contact your host to confirm if the business is operating and reschedule your holiday plans, rather than cancel. 

 

Before you leave

  • Download the VicEmergency app (iOS, Android), bookmark emergency.vic.gov.au, and save the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 – into your mobile phone.

  • Make sure your mobile phone has a fully charged battery.

  • Check the Fire Danger Rating for your destination on the VicEmergency website as you may not have phone reception across regional Victoria.