Relax and explore a naturally magic corner of Victoria during the second annual Australian Adventure Festival being held in East Gippsland this spring.
The family-friendly event, which brings together a range of adventure sports into a single, ultimate outdoor festival, will be held over three days from Friday October 21 to Sunday October 23.
Created by East Gippsland Marketing Inc. to showcase the region, the Australian Adventure Festival provides athletes with events across several disciplines in some of the most beautiful wilderness in Australia.
Nestled in Victoria’s eastern corner, East Gippsland boasts a mild climate and stunning natural environment with high-country grandeur, isolated beaches, rugged coastal outcrops and Australia’s largest inland water system, the Gippsland Lakes. It is rich in natural attractions, ranging from the remote wilderness of the UNESCO-recognised Croajingolong National Park in the east, to the rugged beauty of the Snowy River and Alpine national parks and the vast expanse of the Lakes National Park, fringed by lakes and dunes.
“East Gippsland is an unspoiled corner of Australia and is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world,” the chair of East Gippsland Marketing Inc, Richard Rijs, said.
“Many people know of the Gippsland Lakes, but we also have the Ninety Mile Beach and the second longest silt jetties in the world along the banks of the Mitchell River, all just a short drive from Melbourne.”
Race director Steve Peterson said the festival would include an adventure race, ultra and half marathon, trail running, mountain bike events of varying lengths, plus an adventure fun run and activities for children. Professional race directors run the events with a team of 150 volunteers and staff.
“The scope and scale of events means that everyone from the professional athlete to the person new to the sport can have a go at adventure sports,” Mr Peterson said. “We have made sure the kids have some great events too to kick off their interest in adventure sports.”
Those not wishing to compete can enjoy the region’s other natural attractions; boating or fishing on the Gippsland Lakes, bird watching in the hides of Macleod Morass boardwalk, explore the Mitchell River silt jetties, or spot koalas on Raymond Island.
The food bowl of Victoria, East Gippsland also is renowned for its high quality local produce, including wild-caught seafood, Gippsland beef, fresh fruit and vegetables, artisanal cheeses and wine.
And with some of the best trails in the state, organisers believe they are well placed to grow the festival into a major event for Victoria.
“The Australian Adventure Festival is the only one of its kind in Australia to provide the best and most challenging events in the competition categories of mountain biking, trail running and kayaking,” Mr Rijs said. “We are thrilled to be able to showcase our magical region by hosting this important event.”
To register, log onto www.adventurefestival.com or see www.facebook.com/australianadventurefestival.
This is the first in a series of articles on the beautiful East Gippsland region.
