Bruthen is a pretty and rustic town overlooking the Tambo River. Wander the tree lined streets for local crafts and pottery or indulge yourself with cakes from the local bakery and locally made beer at the Bullant Brewery where you can also have a meal. Picnic and barbecue facilities are provided at Fairy Dell and a half-hour walk takes you through the lilly pilly rainforest to a lookout over the Tambo River flats. Use the town as a base to explore the Twin Rivers Farm-Food & Wine Trail or for experiencing the East Gippsland Rail Trail.

Bruthen Blues and arts festival

Usually held towards the end of February. A celebration of blues music, arts and entertainment. There are events and activities in the Main Street gardens, the local hall and the Bruthen Inn. Free music in the street, market stalls and the Saturday Night Main Event. Includes fringe events such as a blues competition, instrument workshops and more. The Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival is a community minded event with activities for the whole family.

East Gippsland rail trail

Tracing the path of an old railway line, the trail begins in Bairnsdale, just north of the Gippsland Lakes, and heads east through grazing land toward the small farming township of Nicholson. After travelling for 8.5 kilometres, it crosses an old railway bridge spanning the Nicholson River. Before tackling the next part of the trail, take time out for tasting at a Nicholson winery. Weaving its way through tall forest, the 21.5-kilometre undulating section from Nicholson to Bruthen offers spectacular views of the Mossiface flats. There are plans to extend the East Gippsland rail trail all the way to Orbost, and eventually to the seaside town of Marlo at the mouth of the Snowy River. NB: The track has recently been extended beyond Bruthen and finishes in the township of Nowa Nowa

For more information on Bruthen, visit http://www.discovereastgippsland.com.au/