Bairnsdale: Howitt Park, Canoe Tree and Routes

Bairnsdale offers distinctive points of interest for planning a trip around riverside scenery, local landmarks and routes. Howitt Park brings together the shady reserve on the Mitchell River, a canoe tree with a remarkable scar and a playground for children. There are also two routes with different start and end points. You can shape your stay around a park visit, a walk or the route itself, and decide which of these experiences will define your day’s plans.

Howitt Park on the Mitchell River

Howitt Park is a scenic, shady reserve on the Mitchell River. It is home to a canoe tree notable for the size of its scar. The prominent scar makes the tree a distinctive feature alongside the riverside scenery, offering a special focal point during a visit to the park. The park also has a playground for children. This allows families to cater to different interests during a visit: children can use the playground, while the tree draws attention as a striking detail.

Routes with different start and end points

The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail can start in Bairnsdale and ends in Lakes Entrance; it is also suitable for walkers. The East Gippsland Rail Trail starts at Howitt Park on McEacharn Street and is a 96 km route from Bairnsdale to Newmerella. The routes therefore differ in the details that matter when planning: for the Discovery Trail, its suitability for walkers and Lakes Entrance as the destination are relevant; for the Rail Trail, the starting point, distance and Newmerella provide direction. The Rail Trail’s starting point at Howitt Park also makes the park a specific reference point for route planning. Check the conditions on the relevant route before setting out. Consider which endpoint fits your itinerary and whether suitability for walkers or the stated distance will be decisive in your choice.

Tours in the Gippsland Lakes region

The Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre offers a free booking service for tours in the Gippsland Lakes region: by land, water and air. These three categories provide an initial guide if you would like to plan a tour in addition to the routes. Consider what type of excursion best suits your stay. Services and availability may change, so confirm booking options with the Centre before your trip.

Find a holiday rental to suit your itinerary

When looking for a holiday rental in Bairnsdale, use your travel plans as a guide. First, consider whether a visit to Howitt Park or one of the routes will shape your itinerary. Then check the location of the specific accommodation against these plans and the start and end points that matter to you. A park visit and route planning involve different points of reference: for the park, the specific location matters; for a route, its start and end points matter too. This order of steps helps you choose where to stay based on the experiences that will actually define your trip.

Discover more destinations: Howqua, Marysville, Wallington, Loch, Hopetoun, Castlemaine, Mt Beauty, Harcourt

For the main travel overview: Victoria.