Sitting on the banks of the majestic Thomson River, the small Victorian town of Heyfield – known as the gateway to the Victorian High Country – is eager to welcome grey nomads, and it certainly has plenty to offer them.
With a population of around 1500, the town lies about 200 kilometres east of Melbourne in truly beautiful country, and it boasts a fascinating history.
It was named in 1841 by early settler, James McFarlane, who thought the area resembled ‘a field of waving corn’ so called it ‘Hayfield’. While the spelling changed slightly, the name stuck.
The town initially grew as miners stopped here on their way to the Gippsland Goldfields. A post office opened in 1870, a school in 1871, the St. James Church of England church in 1874, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in 1889.
The Railway Hotel has undergone major renovations. PIC: Wellington Shire Council
The Heyfield railway station opened in 1883, and freight services eventually stopped in 1987 and the original building is no longer there.
Happily though, the historic Railway Hotel, which recently underwent some major renovations, is very much in business.
While the area’s early growth was fuelled by cattle and butter, major bushfires in 1939 saw a number of timber milling operations brought out of the bush and into Heyfield, and that sawmilling tradition continues today. Australian Sustainable Hardwoods still operates the largest timber mill in the Southern Hemisphere here.
Heyfield boasts a good range of shops and services and there are some great cafes and arts and craft stores to enjoy. The market, held on the first Saturday of each month, is also well worth a look.
One of the big highlights of a trip to the area is a visit to the Wetlands Information Centre and the Heyfield Wetlands, where four kilometres of walkways meander around a lake within a 28-hectare reserve. It’s a great place to spot local birdlife and wildlife.
Apex Park in the heart of town is a top spot for a picnic, and to view the Victorian Timber Workers Memorial which honours those who have lost their lives while working in the timber industry in the state.
The Wetlands are a popular spot for a picnic. PIC: Wellington Shire Council
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail also runs through the park and, while most grey nomads won’t be tempted to explore its entire 96-kilometre length, it certainly offers a great opportunity to take a bit of a stroll or a cycle.
Six kilometres or so north of Heyfield is the Glenmaggie Reservoir which offers the chance to enjoy a fish, or a swim. And nearby are local wineries, Glenmaggie Wines and Blue Gables Winery.
And the whole area is very welcoming to campers.
Heyfield RV Rest Stop in the heart of town offers 48-hour free camping and boasts toilet facilities and a dump point. Just to the north is Blores Hill Caravan and Camping Park which is set in 50 acres and features one of the best mountain bike tracks in Victoria, as well as offering some great bushwalking opportunities. And 30 kilometres north of Heyfield is the highly scenic Paradise Valley camping ground which sits on the Macalister River.
It’s a town, and a part of the world, that should not be missed on any Big Lap.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
