Get to know Orbost through its art, local history and trails along the Snowy River. The arts program, historic sites and walking opportunities each offer a different focus. Longer routes are also connected to the town: the Snowy River Country Trail starts in Orbost, and a shared path continues there from the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
Art and history in Orbost
The Orbost Arts Centre offers an ongoing program of wood design, visual arts and performing arts. It serves Orbost, the surrounding communities and visitors to Far East Gippsland. These three art forms give the program a diverse focus and offer a cultural point of interest during a stay.
One tangible piece of local history is the Slab Hut: the original family home was built in 1872 and moved to its current location in Forest Park in 1970. The historic hut is beside the Orbost Slab Hut Visitor Information Centre. The two dates mark different chapters in its story: 1872 was when it was built as a home, and 1970 when it was moved to its current location.
Nicholson Street is a historic walking route with information panels about former shopfronts and landmarks. They offer a way to discover the town’s history along the street. The Orbost Visitor Information Centre is also on Nicholson Street. Visitors can find tourist information, maps and books about the region there, as well as locally made goods and souvenirs.
Walks and trails along the Snowy River
From the Slab Hut, visitors can walk along the Snowy River. There are picnic spots and shaded lawns along the way, while information panels tell the story of the town’s early settlers. The walk combines time outdoors with a historical theme, without requiring a longer route to be planned.
The Snowy River Country Trail is a much longer option: it is 285 km long and starts in Orbost. The trail offers a starting point for planning a longer route. The East Gippsland Rail Trail ends at Newmerella; from there, a shared off-road path continues to Orbost. These details distinguish a trail that starts in Orbost from a connection linking the Rail Trail with the town.
Check current conditions for the walk and trails before setting out. The routes offer different options for planning: a riverside walk, a 285 km trail starting in Orbost, or the path from the end of the Rail Trail into town.
Green spaces and coffee
Forest Park has playgrounds, barbecue facilities, picnic areas and public toilets. Its range of amenities makes it a place where visitors can enjoy the outdoors in different ways. Orbost is also home to the community-managed Sensory Gardens. Carefully selected plantings are intended to engage all five senses; the concept brings together the design of the green space and a deliberately sensory garden experience.
Coffee also has a local connection: East Gippsland Coffee Roasters roast and package coffee in Orbost and serve barista-made coffee there. This adds a culinary point of interest to the cultural and historical themes. Together, the arts program, Slab Hut, walking trails, green spaces and local coffee show different sides of Orbost, without requiring a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Wandin North, Meredith, Merbein, Kaniva, Eurobin, Bambra, Junortoun, Birregurra.
For the main travel overview: Victoria.
