Nicholson’s the kind of place where you arrive and think, “Hang on, there’s not much here.” And you’re right—it’s a small town. But that’s exactly the point. Nicholson isn’t the destination; it’s the base. And Gippsland—the region around it—is packed with the kind of outdoor stuff that makes holidays actually memorable.

Whether you’re into fishing, water activities, scenic drives, or just pottering around small towns, Gippsland’s got it. And everything’s within 45 minutes of Nicholson, which means you’re not spending half your holiday driving.

We’ve put together what actually matters: the stuff people do, where to go, and why it’s worth the drive.

The Nicholson River (Right at Your Door)

Let’s start with what you’ve got literally on your doorstep. The Nicholson River is a proper river, not a creek. It’s the heart of the region’s fishing culture.

Fishing: The Nicholson’s known for estuary fishing—flathead, bream, mullet depending on the season and tide. You don’t need a fancy boat. Shore fishing is solid, and there are boat ramps if you’ve got a tinnie. The local fishing community’s friendly; people will tell you what’s biting if you ask.

The river’s also beautiful to just sit by. Dawn or dusk by the water, coffee in hand, no pressure to catch anything. That’s a holiday right there.

Kayaking: If you’ve got a kayak or want to hire one, the river’s perfect. Slower and less crowded than Paynesville. Proper wildlife spotting—birds, the occasional eel, peaceful as.

Metung (30 Minutes Away)

Metung’s where Gippsland’s fishing village charm is on display. It’s a proper working fishing village with a tourist edge, not the other way around.

What’s There:

  • Working fishing boats and a fishing co-op
  • Fish and chips worth the drive (genuinely)
  • A lighthouse walk (20 minutes, views are great)
  • Cafes and a brewery
  • Kayak rentals
  • Beautiful water views

The Experience: It’s not flashy. It’s quiet and pretty. The kind of place you wander around, grab lunch, sit by the water, and leave feeling like you’ve actually experienced something. The Metung Hotel’s got good beer and decent food. The local bakery’s solid. The fish and chips are real—not tourist trap quality.

Why Visit: It’s close enough for a day trip, far enough to feel like you’re going somewhere. The lighthouse walk’s good for kids, and there’s something about fishing villages that just works as a day out.

Lakes Entrance (40–45 Minutes Away)

Lakes Entrance is the “big town” option in the Gippsland Lakes region. It’s busier and more touristy, but it’s got infrastructure and activities.

What’s There:

  • Beach and swimming
  • Boat tours and water activities
  • Tourist shops and cafes (good and mediocre)
  • Mini golf and arcade games (useful for rainy days)
  • Fishing—boat or shore
  • Pelican Barge Tours (sunset cruises are lovely)
  • Good range of accommodation and facilities

Good For: If you need a “proper town” vibe for a day, this is it. The beach is actually good for swimming (unlike a lot of Gippsland beaches). Water’s warmer than you’d expect. It’s worth a visit, especially if you’ve got kids who need novelty.

Honest Assessment: It’s more touristy, busier, and prices reflect that. But it’s not overrun. It’s actually pleasant. One day trip is enough; you don’t need multiple visits.

Fishing: Lakes Entrance Specifically

Lakes Entrance is Victoria’s premier fishing town. If fishing’s your thing, this is where things get serious.

Options:

  • Charter boats for deep-sea fishing (barracouta, kingfish—proper stuff)
  • Guided estuary fishing
  • Land-based fishing at various jetties and spots
  • Kayak fishing in the lakes

Reality Check: If you’re a casual fisherman, stick with the Nicholson or Paynesville. If fishing’s actually your hobby, Lakes Entrance has the infrastructure and expertise. Charter boats are pricey but legitimate.

Paynesville (25 Minutes Away)

Paynesville’s the kayaking hub of Gippsland. If water sports are your thing, this is the place.

What’s There:

  • Multiple kayak rental operators (including guided tours)
  • Sheltered water—good for beginners and experienced paddlers
  • Pretty riverside setting
  • Cafes and a pub
  • Walking tracks

Why Visit: The kayaking here is genuinely good. The water’s sheltered and safe. If you haven’t done much kayaking, a guided tour from one of the local operators is brilliant—they know the wildlife spots, the history, and they keep it fun.

Best For: Families who want to try kayaking. Couples who want a gentle water activity. Anyone wanting to get out on the water without needing a boat license or serious experience.

Scenic Drives & Bushwalking

Gippsland’s not all water. The bush itself is worth exploring.

Tarra Bulga National Park (30 Minutes Away): Proper rainforest. Big trees, ferny gullies, walking tracks from 10 minutes to a couple of hours. The fern gully walk is stunning and only takes 30 minutes return. Good for kids, good for a breath of fresh air, genuinely impressive scenery.

Buchan Caves (About 1 Hour Away): Underground cave system. You take a guided tour through the caves. It’s touristy but cool. Kids find it brilliant. The surrounding town of Buchan’s pretty and worth a stop for lunch.

Gippsland High Plains Road (2–3 Hours One Way): If you’ve got a full day, the drive through the high plains is spectacular. Starts around Dargo, goes up to Hotham, and it’s genuinely beautiful. Not for people who hate driving, but if you like scenic routes, this is proper.

Wilson’s Promontory (1.5–2 Hours Away): One of Victoria’s best national parks. Beaches, walking tracks, wildlife. If you’ve got a full day and want a proper bush experience, it’s worth the drive. Squeaky Beach is famous for a reason.

Bairnsdale (13 Minutes Away)

Bairnsdale’s the regional centre. Not a tourist destination as such, but it’s got what you need.

What’s There:

  • Gippsland Lakes Regional Museum (actually good)
  • Shopping and genuine facilities
  • Decent restaurants and cafes
  • Useful if you’ve forgotten something

Why Go: Practicality, mostly. If you need to stock up, get supplies, or grab better food than your caravan can produce, it’s close.

Seasonal Activities Worth Timing Your Trip For

Fishing Season (Autumn and Winter): March–September’s prime fishing season on the lakes. If fishing’s your main interest, these months are best.

Wildflowers (Spring): September–October, Gippsland’s wildflowers are on. There are wildflower walks and native plant reserves worth checking out. Not Instagram-famous, but genuinely pretty.

Water Temperature (Summer): December–February, the water’s warm enough to actually want to be in. If you’re swimming, these months are best.

Escape Peak Season (May–August): Winter’s quiet. Most tourists are gone. It’s colder but peaceful, and you’ll get into parks and cafes easily.

What to Actually Do (Real Talk)

Be honest with yourself about what you enjoy. You don’t have to do all of this. A lot of people come to Gippsland and their favourite day is sitting by the water with a book and a coffee. That’s a valid activity. The fishing, drives, and boat tours are there if you want them. But the point of Gippsland is that it’s low-pressure.

Some days you’ll be out exploring. Other days you’ll stay at the park, fish the river, watch the birdlife, and be genuinely content. Both are good Gippsland days.

Planning Your Days

A Good Day Structure:

  • Morning: Quiet time at the park. Coffee, maybe a walk.
  • Midday: Head out somewhere (Metung, Paynesville, a walk).
  • Afternoon: Return, relax, maybe fish the river.
  • Evening: Cook dinner (or grab takeaway from town), early night.

You’re not rushing. You’re not ticking boxes. You’re just… being somewhere nice.

Why Staying at Lakes Bushland Works for Exploration

Having Nicholson as your base and Lakes Bushland as your home for a few days changes how you experience Gippsland. You’re not constantly moving accommodation. You’ve got a comfortable site, proper facilities, and it’s quiet enough that you’re genuinely relaxed between activities.

That means when you do head out—to Metung, Paynesville, Lakes Entrance, or just the river—you’re doing it because you want to, not because you’re chasing accommodation and constantly packing/unpacking.

Book your Gippsland base at Lakes Bushland Caravan Park and explore at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best time to visit Gippsland? Honestly, any time. Spring (Sept–Oct) and autumn (March–May) are perfect weather-wise. Summer’s warm but can be hot. Winter’s cold but quiet and peaceful. Choose based on what you want to do and tolerate weather-wise.

How much time do I need? 4–5 days minimum to feel like you’ve actually experienced it. Less than that and you’re just driving around. More than a week, you’re running out of “new” activities (though plenty of people just settle in and enjoy the peace).

Is this good for kids? Yes. Kayaking, fishing, ice cream in towns, bush walks, mini golf at Lakes Entrance. There’s enough variety. Gippsland’s good for families specifically because it’s low-pressure—no big theme parks, just outdoorsy stuff kids generally like.

Is everything accessible for walkers/those with mobility issues? Not all of it. Some walks have rough ground. Boats are accessible depending on the operator. But there’s definitely stuff to do that doesn’t require hiking. Ask operators when booking.

Can I do day trips to all of these places and stay elsewhere? Yeah, but why? Nicholson’s not a tourist destination, so there’s nowhere fancy to stay. Lakes Bushland’s sensible because it’s quiet and cheap compared to Lakes Entrance. Use Nicholson as your base.