Pack your bags and get ready for the 2022 Gippsland Country Music Festival. Find the perfect accommodation in Gippsland and prepare for an unforgettable weekend away with your mates. Stay at some of the most beautiful, Instagrammable locations in South Gippsland with plenty to do and see. Dance to the tune and sing along to the live music, party in the twilight and lose yourself in mother nature… all this and more while supporting local communities along the way.
Country music lovers are in for an absolute treat this year. Organised by Red Hill Entertainment, a partnership between the McLaren brothers from The Hills Are Alive Group and independent music company, UNIFIED Music Group, Gippsland Country Music Festival takes place on Saturday 23 April 2022 in Mossvale Park.
Fans of country music can expect only the best at this year’s annual festival with artists such as Kasey Chambers, The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins and Adam Harvey, Darlinghurst, Taylor Moss, Mick Harrington, The Strzelecki Stringbusters, Bob Wilson Barkindji Man, Lee SonnyBoy Morgan, DJ Brat Paisley, Linda Pink and MC Ben Mastywyk. Collectively, these acts have won a staggering 69 Golden Guitars.
The food and entertainment scene will be abuzz with a little something for everyone including:
Legendary music, epic acts, great food and an electric atmosphere in an exquisite land – nothing short of sensational.
If you’ve never experienced Gippsland, prepare yourself for a spectacular escape into some of Victoria’s most breathtaking landscapes, regional towns and local indigenous culture.
Due to the fact that the region is located away from the hustle and bustle of city life, when you visit Gippsland you are presented with the perfect opportunity to experience a rare combination of a relaxing getaway and a fun adventure.
Nicholas King, the spokesperson for Destination Gippsland, describes the region so eloquently; “Gippsland is powerful country, home to the First Nations peoples including Gunaikurnai, Bunurong and Wurundjeri nations. A place of natural beauty, First Nations, and colonial heritage, emerging creative industries, a place of provenance and of towns undergoing dramatic transformation. A place of untapped potential and blessed with natural resources.”
Through hosting a range of events and festivals throughout the year, Destination Gippsland fosters further economic and social resilience. This ties in directly with the Gippsland destination management plan and events strategy. Tourism generates an estimated $1 billion for Gippsland’s local economy. King proudly says, “Gippsland has a wonderland of regional events. Events attract large participant numbers that experience Gippsland and become advocates for future visitation – either by themselves and with their families, or through their own networks and contacts.”
Last year’s inaugural event of the annual Gippsland Country Music Festival saw more than 40% of the total festival-goers travel over 100 km to witness Australia’s country music legends play live. None were left disappointed, making this year’s festival a much-anticipated event.
One of the most common sentiments shared by attendees of last year’s festival was that South Gippsland had far surpassed their expectations. There are so many activities to do, places to stay and visit, eateries to try out and wine trails just waiting to be explored that a day trip simply isn’t enough. Whilst attending the festival, discover the region and its eclectic offering by opting to stay for an entire weekend, or perhaps even longer.
When it comes to accommodation in South Gippsland, visitors can choose between holiday houses, cottages, farm stays, B&Bs, lodges, apartments and hotels. Whether you’re travelling in a large or small group or travelling solo, the types of properties are diverse. Dog-friendly accommodation is a popular option in Gippsland, too – so feel free to bring along your four-legged friends.
Fortunately, you can find accommodation that is close to the festival so you’ll be centrally located at any given time. Several towns are conveniently situated in and around Mossvale Park (the festival venue). Listed below are some of the towns in close proximity:
This year, Red Hill Entertainment has partnered with Wayfairer as their preferred accommodation booking platform for out-of-town guests attending the event. Wayfairer is truly a unique accommodation booking platform that offers a diverse range of accommodation options in local towns and regional areas throughout South Gippsland.
Unlike multinational or internationally owned booking platforms, Wayfairer reinvests 50% of its booking fees back into the community you stay in. When you reserve your accommodation through the Wayfairer platform, guests pay the same price they would have paid on any other site, but exactly half the booking fee is given back to the local community through community projects and local initiatives.
Aidan McLaren, one of the event organisers, says: “I like the idea of a platform that gives back to the local community and all of our events have various components of them that are based purely around doing that.” The concept of giving back to local communities aligns with the culture and values of Red Hill Entertainment.
Wayfairer works closely with regional governments to showcase authentic accommodation and regenerative travel experiences in Australia for all travellers. Through their partnership with Destination Gippsland, the regional tourism board for the Gippsland region, Wayfairer is changing the way travellers book and stay throughout the Gippsland region. By booking accommodation through the Wayfairer booking platform, visitors can play an important role in the investment in and development of Gippsland. The funds from the booking fees are directly funnelled into various projects including job creation, community growth, social and environmental wealth building, among scores of other beneficial initiatives.
Browse all properties available and book your South Gippsland holiday accommodation on the Wayfairer platform today.
On a trip to South Gippsland, visitors will discover that there are enough activities, events and accommodation options to appeal to everybody and that’s one of the reasons why this destination is so incredibly special. Aside from an extensive list of wineries, markets and festivals, the food, culture and arts scene has matured to appeal to a variety of visitors.
For a taste of what you can expect during your stay, here’s our shortlist of not-to-be-missed destinations across the South Gippsland region:
Foster township
Just two hours’ drive from Melbourne and situated between Leongatha and Yarram, Foster township is a local gem. Take a winery tour on the South Gippsland Wine Trail or visit the Foster Historic Museum and Wilsons Promontory National Park. Stroll through the many farmers’ markets and craft markets in the area.
Koonwarra village
A small, stunning village located between Leongatha and Foster. Find unique pieces of furniture, shop for clothing, picnic at the reserve or learn new cooking techniques. This town is also well-known for its focus on environmental and sustainable practices.
Fish Creek
Located a small distance past Meeniyan, Fish Creek has a stunning beach at Sandy Point (Waratah Bay). Visit the Celia Rosser Art Gallery for unique botanical art and stop for something scrumptious at The Banksia Cafe. Explore art and craft displays and enjoy a meal at the Flying Cow Cafe (gluten-free menu options available).
Inverloch township
Sitting on the outskirts of Koonwarra, this popular coastal town is a much-loved seaside resort and fishing port. Pick the ideal holiday apartment at Inverloch that’s nearest to the coast and spend quality time in the sun and sea. Keep a lookout for the jazz festival and enjoy scenic drives through the Bunurong Coastal and Marine Park.
Coal Creek historic village
Situated only a little out of Korumburra, this wonderful village is an educational and leisure facility that is open from Thursdays to Mondays with free entry for all. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the thrill of catching a steam or diesel train ride on the weekends.
Throughout South Gippsland, each community is unique and each sub-region is well-known for specific activities and artisanal goods. There are numerous farms in the area that yield fresh produce, which is then supplied to local cafes and supermarkets. This is just one of the many ways the communities are dedicated to supporting each other.
Explore more things to do and see in South Gippsland.
Gippsland Country Music Festival draws inspiration from all that the region has to offer, providing festival punters with an opportunity to explore the local highlights and cherish the community atmosphere amid a celebration of live country music unlike anywhere else.
For an unforgettable weekend, book your tickets to attend the festival and reserve your accommodation in South Gippsland early.