Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Newborough, Australia

Located in the industrial Latrobe Valley, Newborough is a town adjacent to its larger counterpart, Moe.

The towns in the valley are interconnected via the Princes Highway, providing convenient access to numerous attractions and facilities.

Within a 15-minute drive from Newborough, you can explore high-quality museums, a regional art gallery, a picturesque lake ideal for recreational activities, and a stunning rose garden.

Just ten minutes north of the town, you can leave the valley terrain and immerse yourself in the southern foothills of the Great Dividing Range.

In this area, the native eucalypt forest flourishes with wildflowers during spring, offering hiking opportunities to vantage points overlooking the Latrobe Valley from the elevated ridges.

1. Lake Narracan

Spanning over 280 hectares, this artificial lake north of Newborough serves as a primary hub for outdoor activities in the region.

Lake Narracan, situated on the Latrobe River, was created in the late 1950s to supply cooling water for the power stations in the valley.

Due to its industrial purpose, motorboats and jet skis are permitted here, while fishing, sailing, and windsurfing are also popular.

Moreover, there are both powered and unpowered campsites along the forested shoreline, and visitors can enjoy walking along the water or swimming in the designated area located near the caravan park on the southern shore.

Nearby, Moe Golf Club offers splendid views of the lake against the backdrop of the northern peaks.

2. Old Gippstown

In Moe, one can visit an open-air museum that chronicles the European history of Gippsland from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century.

Old Gippstown encompasses more than 40 historical structures relocated to three hectares of picturesque parkland.

These buildings, which include a school, general store, bank, halfway house, and homestead of explorer Angus McMillan, are filled with fascinating artifacts and memorabilia.

Visitors can peruse a vast assortment of horse-drawn vehicles, antique furniture, household items, art, tools, machinery, military artifacts from the world wars, documents, and books.

Additionally, Old Gippstown hosts major events throughout the year, including celebrations on Australia Day and Carols by Candlelight.

3. Moe-Yallourn Rail Trail

Newborough is bypassed to the north by an 8.5-kilometer trail that follows the path of an industrial railway built in the 1950s to support the Yallourn Power Station.

The railway was closed in the 1980s when briquette production shifted to Morwell.

This trail begins at the Moe Botanic Gardens and offers delightful views of the surrounding farmland.

You can expect a magnificent display of wildflowers during the spring, and a short detour to Lake Narracan presents an excellent picnic opportunity.

As you proceed east of the lake, the imposing cooling towers and chimneys of the Yallourn “W” Power Station come into view.

4. Haunted Hills Hillclimb Track

Motorsport enthusiasts will be excited to discover that one of the finest permanent hillclimb circuits in Australia is located in Newborough’s vicinity.

Also referred to as Bryant Park, this facility is meticulously maintained by the Gippsland Car Club, which is among the few motoring organizations that operate its own track.

Unlike most hillclimb tracks situated on public roads, Haunted Hills is privately owned and hosts over 40 weekends of racing annually.

The circuit is equipped with modern club facilities, spectator areas, and competitor garages, having previously hosted the Australian Hill Climb Championships in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

5. Moe Botanic Gardens

This area boasts hilly landscapes adorned with eucalypt forests, but if you prefer a more tranquil stroll, Moe Botanic Gardens is the perfect destination.

This site serves as the western terminus of the rail trail and offers a pleasant setting to relax for an hour or two alongside the serene Narracan Creek.

Visitors can enjoy beautiful landscaping and a mixture of native and exotic trees, interspersed with well-maintained lawns.

The weekly 5km Newborough Parkrun is held here at 08:00 on Saturdays.

The new interactive playground developed by the Moe Rotary Club features amenities such as a flying fox, nest swing, and sandpit.

6. Ollerton Avenue Bushland Reserve

This ten-hectare area of peaceful bushland is located in the heart of Newborough, enveloped by residential neighborhoods.

The ecosystem at Ollerton Avenue Bushland Reserve consists of open grassy forest, supporting over 120 native plant species, including various eucalypts such as stringybark and peppermint.

Accessible trails meander through the reserve, allowing visitors to be immersed in the vibrant birdlife that resides here.

Families with young children will find a small playground conveniently situated at the western entrance on Dudley Court.

7. Latrobe Regional Gallery (LRG)

The regional art gallery for Latrobe City is conveniently situated just ten minutes away in Morwell.

Established in 1971, this sizable public gallery features seven exhibition spaces.

Over the course of more than fifty years, the LRG has amassed significant collections of Australian art from various periods, as well as art related to Gippsland, works on paper, Asian art, sculptures, and Australian glass art.

Exhibitions showcasing selections from this extensive inventory occur year-round, in addition to notable touring shows and temporary exhibitions from both established and emerging artists within the Latrobe City region.

The gallery shop offers an excellent selection of locally crafted ceramics, jewelry, and more, while the “So Swish” cafe operates daily.

8. Tyers Park

To the north of Newborough, you will transition from the Latrobe Valley to the foothills of the majestic Great Dividing Range, which stretches across much of eastern Australia.

Within a short drive from Newborough, you will find a network of parks and reserves preserving the mountainous forests.

One of these is Tyers Park, encompassing 1,810 hectares, which serves as a paradise for bushwalking enthusiasts due to its rocky landscapes and abundant wildflowers in spring.

A key feature is the Tyers Gorge, where the river has carved deep pathways through the rock.

Visitors can admire remarkable outcrops of conglomerate and limestone throughout the park, with the limestone known for yielding plant and animal fossils.

9. Peterson’s Lookout

For a straightforward yet highly rewarding walk in Tyers Park, proceed to the east bank of the river via Tyer-Walhalla Road.

You can access the W2 Track, which spans approximately two kilometers, leading from an abandoned timber mill site to a high vantage point overlooking the river and gorge.

From Peterson’s Lookout, you will be able to gaze northward along the gorge and southward across the distant industrial landscape of the Latrobe Valley.

Be watchful for the peregrine falcons that nest near the lookout platform; the area is adorned with wildflowers throughout much of the year, particularly in spring.

10. Moondarra State Park

Located north-west of Tyers Park, Moondarra State Park is an expansive area covering nearly 7,000 hectares, primarily consisting of eucalypt forest.

This protected area, similar to many others north of the Latrobe Valley, showcases a spectacular array of wildflowers in spring.

For an exceptional walking experience, you can take the Moe-Walhalla Road to access the Seninis Track, which lies just 20 minutes north of Newborough.

Notably, this trail is home to an astonishing 16 different species of native orchids.

During other seasons, the park remains a key attraction for hiking and camping, providing a sense of wilderness mere minutes from the towns within the valley.

11. Wirilda Environment Park

Serving as a gateway to the rugged landscapes on the north side of the Latrobe Valley, Wirilda Environment Park is a privately managed area accessible to the public.

This 100-hectare former farmland is open year-round and features facilities such as electric barbecues, a pavilion, walking trails, and birdwatching hides.

The park’s website provides a valuable guide to the numerous bird species inhabiting the area, including cuckoos, cockatoos, laughing kookaburras, white-faced herons, and superb lyrebirds.

For those seeking adventure, the park can also serve as a starting point for a challenging but rewarding hike through Tyers Gorge up to Moondarra Dam.

12. Trafalgar Holden Museum

Located just ten minutes west, this private museum honors an icon of Australian automotive culture, founded by an avid collector.

The Trafalgar Holden Museum showcases nineteen of Neil Joiner’s Holdens, including three 1960s models (HD Premier, HK, EJ) with minimal mileage.

Visitors can also explore a wide array of Holden memorabilia, engaging interactive displays, and a theatre area highlighting the history of the Holden brand from its beginnings as a saddlery in the mid-19th century.

This museum opened in 2014 within a spacious building that was formerly a butter factory constructed in the 1930s.

13. Morwell Centenary Rose Garden

Enthusiastic gardeners travel from afar to appreciate the more than 4,000 rose bushes comprising 400 different varieties in this award-winning, free-to-enter garden.

Among the varieties, visitors will find rugosas, floribunda, tea roses, and hybrid teas.

The Morwell Centenary Rose Garden is meticulously maintained, featuring elements like pergolas, a central gazebo, and decorative climbing frames adorned with blossoms, while the pleasant aroma from its thousands of blooms envelops you as you approach.

Roses sourced from across the globe are displayed, with Australian and New Zealand-created varieties positioned on the southern side, while old-world varieties flourish on the northern side amidst a charming cottage garden.

14. Latrobe Leisure Moe Outdoor Pool

This outdoor public pool in Moe is a wonderful resource for families during hot summer days, open from late November to early March.

The facility, partially shaded by sails, features a 50-meter, eight-lane training pool, along with a diving pool, a shallower children’s pool with beach entry, and an interactive water play area.

Recently upgraded, the complex is also equipped with grassy areas and barbecue facilities, making it easy to spend an entire day here.

15. Yallourn Golf Club

Situated within Newborough, Yallourn Golf Club features an 18-hole championship course set amidst pristine bushland.

Prior to starting your game, practice on the full driving range and short game area to refine your skills.

Saturday is the main competition day at the course, so visitors wishing to play casually should tee off after 13:30. The clubhouse, rebuilt in the 2000s, offers complete equipment and cart rental, along with the Spike Bar for green fee payment.

As of spring 2020, the fees were $20 for nine holes and $30 for eighteen.