Swan Reach lies on the Tambo River and is also home to the Culinaire Cooking School. Here, cooking fundamentals, culinary themes and opportunities for recreational fishing come together. The East Gippsland Distillery adds to the local food and drink scene; trails, birdwatching and wine broaden the picture of the surrounding area. The cooking school, distillery and river are rooted in Swan Reach; nature and wine experiences add to the perspective of the nearby area.
Cooking classes and culinary themes
The Culinaire Cooking School is located in Swan Reach, Victoria. It teaches cooking fundamentals in hands-on classes rather than demonstration classes. Class topics include barbecue, cooking with seafood, herbs and spices, and international flavours. If you are planning around a specific topic, check the current class schedule before your visit.
Alongside its classes, the school runs gourmet food tours. Classes and tours are distinct culinary experiences: the classes focus on teaching cooking fundamentals, while the tours offer a separate gourmet experience. The herb and kitchen garden was established to provide fresh produce for classes and workshops. The Culinaire Gift Shop sells handmade preserves made from produce grown in its own garden. The garden is therefore both part of the learning experience and the source of the preserves.
The Tambo River, fishing and the distillery
The waters of the Tambo River near Swan Reach offer opportunities for recreational fishing. The annual Twin Rivers Bream Classic, held in July, includes Swan Reach alongside Nicholson and Johnsonville. The multi-day fishing competition promotes catching and releasing fish. If you plan to include the competition in your trip, check the current event date in advance.
The Tambo River Bridge in Swan Reach has a clearance height of 6.6 m. The East Gippsland Distillery, formerly known as Logan’s Micro Distillery, is also located on the Tambo River. It ferments its own alcohol on site rather than buying it in bulk. Lemons, figs and juniper are among the plants grown on the property. The distillery is distinct from the cooking school: it focuses on alcohol fermented on site, while the school teaches cooking fundamentals.
Trails, birdwatching and wine nearby
In the surrounding area of Nicholson, Johnsonville and Swan Reach, trails follow riverbanks, pass through wetlands and cross other landscapes. Pelicans, cormorants, birds of prey and woodland birds can be spotted in these environments. Trails and birdwatching offer different perspectives on the landscape: one means being out and about, the other focusing on groups of birds.
In the Twin Rivers region, visitors can cycle across a historic railway bridge on the East Gippsland Rail Trail. A river crossing on the trail also passes over a bridge dedicated to walking and cycling. Another feature of the surrounding area is Tambo Wines, with a single vineyard and a cellar door for tastings. Wine thus adds its own dimension to the cooking and distillery themes.
Discover more destinations: Carrum Downs, Bullarto, Bindi, Balwyn North, Milloo, Tullamarine, Mooroopna, Natimuk.
For the main travel overview: Victoria.
