Loch off the Highway

Posted on by Miriam

So often on road trips we drive past the same exit, repeatedly, without questioning what could be there. We’re so focused on our destination that we miss little gems. However, on our way home from Yanakie and Wilsons Prom recently, in no rush and hankering for a coffee, we decided to detour into the tiny village of Loch.

It’s literally a minute off the South Gippsland Highway.

Loch station

How cute is this old railway station?

However I think it’s been a long time since a train’s stopped here. More often, the reserve is used for the monthly market.

It’s also the backdrop to the Loch Village Food and Wine Festival and the Garden Festival held during the year.

Loch is quiet and unhurried, a respite from the busy highway and the perfect place to break the trip with a coffee or more.

The Main Street was once a busy highway but today the wide garden lined street is more conducive to a Sunday afternoon stroll. Still, the tiny village has thrived since the town by-pass was completed in 2008 and more people are discovering it’s charms.

Hilly views around Loch

Just two kilometres out of Loch there’s gorgeous rural views from the Cape Horn lookout and, when nature calls back in town, even the dunnies have a story to tell.

The arty amenities
Art in the dunnies

You’ll find cute cafes, like the Cosy Kitchen, the Rustic Cacao Factory or Olive at Loch. Check out the Loch Brewery and Distillery for some fine beer, gin and whisky and for wine lovers the fabulous Gippsland Wine Company is just out of Loch.

Step back in time inside the antique stores and galleries and, for those who want more info on the area, The Hard Loch Cafe has the Prom Country Tourist Information inside.

Loch Main Street

There’s something for everyone here, even opera lovers.

One of the joys of country life is the way communities embrace all types of music and Loch is no exception.

On Saturday August 18 a huge night of opera is planned at the Loch Public Hall, as locals and visitors are invited to dust off their black ties and bling.

Inside the old hall music lovers will be treated to an evening of opera performed by the Melba Opera Trust.

Whether it’s country, classical or pop, I love places that support live music. Places that nurture promising young singers to develop and realise their full potential, to prepare them for the world stage.

If you’re not into opera you can just stretch the legs through town. It’ll only take you about ten minutes to get from one end to the other!

From the cafes and picnic grounds, through Sunnyside Park and the walking tunnel that goes under the bypass connecting the town. Here we found walls of fun and fascinating information on the Giant Gippsland Earth Worms.

They can grow up to three metres long!

Giant Earth worms
Snake or worm?

Okay, so the giant Earth Worms in Loch might not rival the Loch Ness Monster, but seeing one would sure make you think twice.

The track crosses the Loch-Poowong Road before ending at the Loch Recreation Reserve, just near the suspension bridge over Allsop’s Creek. Don’t be surprised to see an Anzac Soldier and Digger at the other end.

Everything here feels so hidden. Then, another surprise, we find a camp ground on the other side of the bridge.

Strolling through LochAcross the suspension bridge we found the camp ground

Camping is tranquil at Loch

There’s both powered and unpowered camping in the Loch Memorial Reserve, a prime spot to stop for a night. It’s close to town, there’s showers available (you can organise for a key) and best of all, it’s within walking distance to the pub.

Non campers don’t miss out either. They can stay at the Royal Hotel which provides Bed and Breakfast.

This is a place full of unexpected surprises and quirky characters.

Andrew at the Collectibles in Loch
No, this is not a messy B and B. It’s Andrew in his Open Garage in Loch

The first place we visited when we pulled off the highway was the old Mechanics Shed. It’s not my usual shopping experience but the other half was in his glee and enjoyed bantering with the owner Andy, originally from Sardonica, Greece.

He’s been in Loch thirty years and clearly loves it. Why am I not surprised?

Where is it?

Loch is about 80-minutes drive from Melbourne, via the Monash Freeway to Pakenham/Koo Wee Rup Rd and then the South Gippsland Highway.
It’s a great stopover if you’re heading out to the Prom.
Look out for the signs. You won’t be disappointed.
P1090775

As we journey through August stay open to those detours and off the beaten track opportunities that open up the world to you.

Veer off the main road, make a different decision and remember that sometimes amazing things appear when we take a different route.

Make August the month you detour into somewhere new.

Stay happy, keep adventuring and enjoy the journey.

In light and love.

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Outanabout YOLO “You only live once”

89 thoughts on “Loch off the Highway”

  9. Loch looks a lovely little place to visit and sometimes its those unexpected visits to previously unknown places that turn out to be so special. Love the Hard Loch Cafe. Brilliant.

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  10. Nessie might be mighty offended to be compared to an earthworm, however giant it may be 😛 The moment I think of earthworms, I think of dissection sessions in high school when we used to work on earthworms and cockroaches. Imagine the excitement. Anyway, not to divert completely from the wonderful village of Loch, it looks charming. The third photo especially has my heart. xx

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  13. Pingback: Loch off the Highway – Timeless Wisdoms

  18. In a very small way we did just that today, Miriam. My son is going through a bad spell and we took him and his partner’s small son to a couple of parks that were a little bit off our beaten track, and yet fairly close. 🙂 🙂 Your discovery looks lovely.

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  21. What a great post and such a lovely place to discover. One of my thing my wife and I try to do when we’re out on an adventure is to turn down roads that say “Dead End” or head to those little hamlet listed on a signboard. You never know what little gem one might find. Thanks for sharing! One time we took the backway to wherever we needed to get to and passed through a tiny, tiny hamlet called Orrville. Had the most fascinating bakery. What a find!

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  31. What a gorgeous & charming town – thank you for sharing it.

    And thank you for the reminder to try a new route, or new turning, or to stop in a different place … all about the journey, right? and we never know what might be around the next corner!

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  32. What a fabulous little town! I’m so glad it is thriving, as so often when a highway goes around a town, that almost kills it. In this case, it seems to have simply kept it unspoiled, which is such a welcome change.

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  34. You never know where a unintended turn will lead you. I couldn’t agree more, Miriam. We’ve got so much to learn from travel and lessons learned on the road help us with daily, mundane life. 🙂 I loved your pictures and it seems like a charming place to spend a weekend getaway or with nature. Thank you for taking me along with you my friend. There’s so much to learn from you. Bright and sunny day here with a rain expected tomorrow. xo

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    1. So true Cheryl, those turns often lead to surprises, in many areas of our life don’t they? Travel really does teach us a lot. Enjoy that sunshine and rain my friend. Those contrasts can be nice. Here it’s still grey but at least the days are slower getting longer. Spring’s not too far away thank goodness. 🙂 xo

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  35. Wonderful, and I bet you were really pleased you made your detour.. Sometimes the detours we make open our eyes to beautiful surprises, and the village of Loch, what a find.. Looks so peaceful and idyllic.. So enjoyed your images..
    Those Earth Worms though.. now I have seen some pretty huge juicy fat ones in our plot, but Three metres in length… Monster Earth chewers lol 🙂 they would soon make mincemeat of my compost bin.. haha…

    Fabulous post.. Enjoy your week Miriam.. ❤

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    1. Your comment made me smile Sue. Yes, those giant earth worms would scare me right out of my garden! So lovely to see you here. I hope you have a great week too. Look forward to visiting you very soo. xx ❤️

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