Bairnsdale

Bairnsdale Vic 3875 (Pop 11 500)
Pic: by John O'Neill

Bairnsdale is a major East Gippsland rural service centre situated 281 km east of Melbourne. Original inhabitants were the Kurnai Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1840s. This early goldfields supply port is today a dairying, timber, fishing and tourism centre. Markets 4^th Sun each month. Antiques & Collectibles Fair (Mar), Bairnsdale Festival (Mar), East Gippsland Agricultural Field Days (Apr), Country Music Festival (Apr), Line Dancing Championships (Easter), Bairnsdale Cup (Sept). 

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Bairnsdale includes the Court House (1894), St Mary’s Catholic Church (1913). Nicholson Street Gallery housed within the old shire offices (c.1868). Open (10am-4pm) weekdays. Bairnsdale Historical Museum, Macarthur St (1891) the former Presbyterian Church and Bairnsdale College with fascinating historical displays, machinery and tools, photographs and memorabilia. Open (1pm-5pm) Wed/Thurs/Sun. Howitt Park, Princes Hwy good recreational facilities as well as an old Aboriginal canoe tree. Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, Dalmahoy St focuses on the cultural heritage and history of the Kurnai Aborigines.

Nearby:
Mitchell River NP (15 km west) stunning 163 ha reserve rich in flora, fauna & walking trails (to Bluff Lookout & Mitchell River). Aboriginal mythology is also strongly represented here with the Den of Nargun, a huge cave said to have been home to an Aboriginal monster. McLeods Morass Wildlife Reserve (2 km south) freshwater wetland accessed by a boardwalk and featuring countless waterbirds. Dargo (93 km n-w) pretty wine and walnut producing town in the Dargo River valley.

Accommodation:
Bairnsdale has almost a dozen motels, 5 hotels, holiday cottages/apartments & 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 240 Main St. Tel (03) 5152 3444.