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town in Victoria, Australia
Oceania > Australia > Victoria (state) > Gippsland > East Gippsland > 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

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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

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Get in

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By car

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Orbost is next to the Princes Highway, about 4-5 hours east of Melbourne.

By public transport

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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

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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

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Map
Map of Orbost

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.

Visitor information centre at Forest Park.

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. (updated May 2021)
  • 2 Orbost Exhibition Centre, 10-12 Clarke St, ☏ +61449734598. (updated May 2021)

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.

Drink

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  • 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. (updated May 2021)

Sleep

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Connect

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Telstra has a good range of 4G in Orbost. Optus does, but it's a little sketchy. Vodafone has no chance.

Stay safe

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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

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Routes through Orbost
Eden ← Cann River ←  N  S  → Lakes Entrance → Sale


This city travel guide to Orbost is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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