South East Victoria

Bairnsdale is the gateway to two of Victoria's most rugged and untouched regions: the Victorian High Country, and the vast Gippsland Lakes. The town is the main commercial centre for the region's wool, dairy, agriculture and timber industries.

Originally developed as a port, Sale is a great base for discovering the magnificent lakes, mountains and coastline of the Gippsland region. The recently revitalised port is now home to myriad great cafes, restaurants and shops.

Traralgon is a bustling commercial centre, surrounded on all sides by some of Victoria's most scenic untouched countryside. The town offers fine outdoor dining and excellent shopping during the day, and great entertainment in the local pubs and clubs by night.

How to use this map

About South East Victoria

Major Towns:
Pictures: View photos of the South East region of Victoria in the image gallery.
Regional skills shortages: Occupations listed below are in demand in the South East region of Victoria. If your occupation features on our eligibility lists, you may be eligible to apply for Victorian Government sponsorship for a Skilled Migration visa and migrate to South East Victoria.  For more information, view the eligibility lists. 
  • Bakers
  • Community workers
  • Counsellors
  • Electrical engineers
  • General electricians
  • General medical practitioners
  • Hairdressers
  • Metal fitters and turners
  • Metal machinists
  • Motor mechanics
  • Pastry cooks
  • Physiotherapists
  • Registered nurses
  • Secondary school teachers
  • Structural steel and welding tradespeople
  • Welfare workers
Features
  • Economic strengths include timber processing, paper product manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture, fishing and tourism
  • The Latrobe Valley is the source of the majority of Victoria’s electricity, with large reserves of brown coal
  • Post-secondary education including the East Gippsland Institute of TAFE and a campus of Monash University at Churchill
  • Australia’s number one highway runs through the region, making travel to Melbourne an easy drive
  • The region has one of Australia’s strongest dairy industries due to rich soil and dependable rainfall.
Attractions
  • A nature-lover’s paradise with more than 20 national parks, rugged mountains and long sandy beaches
  • West Gippsland, also known as the gourmet deli region, is renowned for its fresh foods and local produce
  • Phillip Island – home to the nightly fairy penguin parade and the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix
  • The Gippsland Lakes – the largest network of inland waterways in Australia.

How to use this map

Roll your mouse over a major town to read a brief overview. Click on a major town to be taken to a webpage with more information. Alternatively, you can select from the list of major towns above.

Related Sites

Last updated: August 2009

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State Government of Victoria