Orbost
Orbost is a town on the Snowy River and is a minor diversion of the Princes Highway in East Gippsland, in Victoria, Australia. It's along the intersection of A1 and C612, making it a popular stopover, and a gateway to the Victorian ski-fields.
Understand
Orbost is the southernmost major town of the Snowy Mountains and the Snowy River as well as one of the eastern towns of the Gippsland region
It has a population of about 2,200 (2016).
Visitor Information Centre
- 1 Orbost Visitor Information Centre, 35 Nicolson Street, ☏ +61 3 5154 2424. Daily 9AM-5PM.
Get in
By car
Orbost is next to the Princes Highway, about 4-5 hours east of Melbourne.
By public transport
Orbost is accessible from Sydney and Canberra by coach. V/Line operates 3 services to Orbost a day, with train services from Melbourne to Bairnsdale being supplemented with coach services from Bairnsdale to Orbost. Coaches stop outside the Orbost Newsagency, where you can also purchase return tickets. The journey in total takes about 6 hours. Tickets can be purchased at Melbourne's Southern Cross station. The full timetable is available here. The train does not run to Orbost, and hasn't for years, despite what Google Maps might tell you!
By plane
There is an airport at Marlo, but doesn't receive many flights. It's a 10- to 15-minute drive via the C107
Get around
There is no public transport available, but it is possible to walk most places within the town fairly easily. There is a small local taxi service. It is a relatively easy 15-km bike ride to Marlo and the coast.
See
Orbost is themed as Snowy River country, and the Snowy River runs adjacent to the town centre. You can go for a walk along the river, and read about how the river is coming back to life. Those who haven't seen the Snowy for a few years will be surprised how the increased water flows from the Snowy Mountains Scheme have changed the river.
- 1 Forest Park, 1 Nicholson Road. Large park on the Snowy River, with a cycling area, playground, electric barbecues and interpretive signage. It is a great place to stop off if you are travelling along the Princes Highway. A visitor information centre is also located here, inside a hut dating back to 1872.
- 2 Orbost Exhibition Centre, 10-12 Clarke St, ☏ +61449734598.
Do
The old rail line from Bairnsdale to Newmerella is used as a cycling, horse riding and walking path called the East Gippsland Rail Trail. It is a short ride from Newmerella to Orbost along the Princes Highway or quiet backroads. The trail is 100 km (62 mi) long, and is sealed beyond Nicholson.
Buy
- 1 Foodworks, 70-78 Nicholson St, ☏ +61351541206, orbost@stores.foodworks.com.au. 8AM-8PM. Grocery store with liquor section.
- 2 Sonia Melville Craftbasket, 110A Nicholson St, ☏ +61 3 5154 1151. Tu-F 9AM-3PM, Sa 9AM-noon. Sewing and patchworks store.
Eat
- 1 The Orbost Club, 67 Gladstone St, ☏ +61351541390. noon-late. Restaurant with liquor and a gambling area.
- 2 Orbost Pizza and Ice Cream, 34 Nicholson St (C612), ☏ +61351542122.
Drink
- 1 Orbost Club Hotel, 63 Nicholson St, ☏ +61 3 5154 1003. This pub dates back to 1884, making it Orbost's oldest. Serves Carlton Draught beer, and also offers cuisine in its bistro section such as parmigiana, rump steak and garlic prawns. 21 rooms are also available for accommodation, ranging from $60 to $100 a night.
Sleep
- 1 Orbost Country Roads Motor Inn, 94 Salisbury St, ☏ +61 3 5154 2500. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM.
- 2 Sylvia Lodge, 12 Sylvia St, ☏ +61 450 928 898. Check-in: 2PM.
Connect
Telstra has a good range of 4G in Orbost. Optus does, but it's a little sketchy. Vodafone has no chance.
Stay safe
Orbost is always cold, and can go to 3° C even in summer. Bring some winter clothes that you'd usually wear in Melbourne for winter and bring more in winter. Never underestimate the cold and the snow and follow weather warnings.
Go next
| Routes through Orbost |
| Eden ← Cann River ← | N  S |
→ Lakes Entrance → Sale |