About Traralgon

The Gippsland region stretches along the east coast of the state and covers six local government areas:

Bass Coast Shire, Baw Baw Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Latrobe City, South Gippsland Shire, Wellington Shire.

Traralgon offers the comforts and variety of inner-city living along with a range of tourist attractions and regular major events to make it a memorable holiday destination.

By day, enjoy a mix of boutique and retail chain shopping, take the time to stroll through the beautiful gardens of Victory Park and see the historic band rotunda. Stroll over the footbridge to Newman Park and the huge adventure playground ideal for kids. If you’re lucky enough to visit on the fourth Sunday of each month you will find the miniature train rides operating.

If it is adventure you are after, visit the Latrobe Regional Airport to take a scenic flight over the Gippsland region. Experience the thrill of a sky dive or stretch your legs along one of the many walking trails in one of the surrounding National Parks.

Traralgon is the largest city in Gippsland and is known as Latrobe City’s entertainment capital offering a wide range of cafes and restaurants and evening entertainment. For those that enjoy live theatre, visit the Latrobe Performing Arts Centre and enjoy professional and amateur theatrical events. Go to ;dining & entertainment; page.

Tempt your palate by dining or wine tasting in one of the many restaurants, cafes or wineries.

Things to Do & Sights to See in Traralgon

• Take a leisurely stroll around the Traralgon Railway Reserve.
• Enjoy a ride on one of the miniature steam and diesel trains at Newman Park operating on the 4th Sunday of each month.
• Sample and purchase fresh and locally grown produce at the Traralgon famers markets on the 4th Saturday of every month.
• Take a guided tour of the Loy Yang Open Cut Mine and Power Station south-east of Traralgon, one of Australia’s largest engineering projects. Tours are organised through the PowerWorks Museum in nearby Morwell.
• Visit the nearby Strzelecki Ranges and cool temperate rainforest of the Tarra-Bulga National Park just over 30kms from Traralgon.
• Ride or walk along one of the many Rail Trails.

Emergency & Health Services in Traralgon

Latrobe Regional Hospital is based in Traralgon West and provides a regional public health service for the whole of Gippsland. The Hospital, a part of Gippsland Health, is a purpose built 257-bed, fully integrated health service.

The Latobe Regioanl airport, also in Traralgon West, is a key economic and community facility providing significant employment, air ambulance and rescue helicopter, permanent base for aerial fire fighting aircraft and offers valuable recreation and tourism facilities.

Sporting and Events

Events in Traralgon and Latrobe City

Traralgon and Latrobe City host many widely recognised events including national and international sporting events such as the Victorian and International Junior Tennis Championships and the Water-ski Championships. Other highlights of the event calendar include the annual Latrobe Spring Racing Carnival and the prestigious Moe Cup, the Chinese Festival and Moe Jazz Festival. to week, there is always something different happening whether it is a local market with fresh produce, a local community event, miniature train rides in Newman Park Traralgon or live shows at the Performing Arts Centre.

The West End Sporting Complex offers quality facilities and the wider community has a busy sporting calendar for residents and visitors alike. Traralgon has a huge range of sporting opportunities for juniors, families and enthusiasts including soccer, football, netball, badminton, volleyball, baseball, cricket, indoor and outdoor pools and Victoria’s oldest marathon held every June by Harriers Runniing Club. The Traralgon Tennis International tournament is held every January and the popular Traralgon Cup horse races are held in December. There is also greyhound racing and for two decades the Traralgon Golf Club has conducted one of country Victoria’s most prestigious Pro Am golf events.

Employment & Business Opportunities

Employment and business opportunities are available through the established large industry in the region including Loy Yang Power and the Australian Paper Mill, as well as large commercial centres in Traralgon, Morwell and Warragul.

Shopping

Shopping arcades and plazas mark the commercial centre of Traralgon. The shopping is fabulous with national retail chain stores, individual specialty stores and classy boutiques; you’re bound to find something special.

Dining

Enjoy alfresco dining and sidewalk cafes by day and fine dining restaurants and excellent pubs and clubs by night. With a string of bars, pubs and clubs, there is a venue to suit everyone, each offering great atmosphere and entertainment. Go to Dining page

Entertainment and Leisure

A multiplex cinema, leisure centres, ten pin bowling, go karts, football grounds, sporting stadiums and scenic golf courses provide every opportunity to compete in your favourite sport. For the more adventurous, visit the Latrobe Regional Airport to experience the thrill of skydiving and gliding or scenic flights over the Gippsland region.

Arts and Culture

The wonderful and varied landscape of Latrobe City has given rise to a wealth and diversity of creativity with many artists drawing inspiration from their surroundings. The Latrobe Regional Gallery houses an impressive collection of permanent and travelling art exhibitions. Also dotted around Latrobe City are intimate art studio spaces, working galleries and small unique craft groups.

For more information about living in Traralgon view ;Living Edge (PDF);

Scenic Routes

South of Traralgon the Strzelecki Ranges offer a number of scenic tourist drive routes, including the Grand Ridge Road and the route to the Tarra Bulga National Park. North of Traralgon are extensive alpine ranges which include such attractions as the ski resort of Mount Baw Baw, the Thompson Dam (which provides Melbourne with its largest supply of water), a number of state and national parks, and the historic community of Walhalla.

A short drive south of the town is the Loy Yang Power Complex and open-cut coal mine. The Hyland Highway passes right through the complex and a couple of visitor lookouts are provided to marvel at the massive scale of coal mining and electricity generation. The power station’s two chimneys are 260 metres high – roughly the same height as Melbourne’s Rialto Towers.

History and Historical Tours

Discover the rich history of the region at Old Gippstown, Gippsland’s Heritage Park and take an interperative journey through historical Gippsland. Or take a ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway and explore the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine in historic Walhalla. A visit to PowerWorks will enable you to experience multimedia and interactive exhibits, view giant dredges as well as participate in a tour to the Open Cut Mines and venture inside one of the power stations.

Traralgon began as a large run occupied by Edward Hobson in 1844 and grew from there. The completion of the railway in 1879 was a driving force to Traralgon’s development. Traralgon’s hinterland became a centre for the developing dairy and saw milling industries and eventually became an educational, administrative and legal centre. Traralgon was integrated into the power generating industry of the Latrobe City with the development of the Loy Yang power station and open cut mine.

There are many heritage buildings in Traralgon which document the towns, history and development. There are brochures available from the Latrobe Visitor Information Centre on heritage walks around Traralgon as well as other information on the history of the region.

Parks & Gardens

Latrobe City is renowned for its parks and gardens. Explore the cool temperate rainforest and journey along the suspension bridge at Tarra Bulga National Park, view the native and rare orchids at Morwell National Park and enjoy the beauty of the internationally renowned Morwell Centenary Rose Garden with over 3,000 rose bushes to meander through.

Swimming & Boating

Hazelwood Pondage is unique in providing warm water all year round, making it perfect for swimming, boating and water skiing. Lake Narracan is also popular for water activities and boating enthusiasts and is also popular for family picnics. During the summer months, cool down at one of Latrobe City’s outdoor pools or do some laps at one of the indoor swimming pools.

Accommodation

Traralgon boasts many options for the traveller including 4 star hotels, convention centres, serviced apartments, Bed & Breakfasts and well situated trailer parks. Availability and online bookings can be sought on visitlatrobevalley.com or brouse the accommodation listing on this website. Go to ACCOMMODATION