This year’s Great Vic Bike Ride kicks off with a night of camping on the Snowy River in Orbost and will finish with a breath of fresh coastal air in Wonthaggi.
This nine-day adventure through majestic Gippsland is going to create some hungry bike riders and there will be no need for compromise when it comes to food and drink.
Hearty renditions of pub-fare favourites await, as does seasonal seafood with fine wine to match. Expect seriously good sandwiches, freshly roasted coffee and famous donuts to satisfy the sweet tooth in every crew.
And that's just a taste of it. Read on for our 2023 Great Vic Bike Ride food and drink guide
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Credit: Sailors Grave
Sailors Grave, Orbost
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Credit: Orbost Hotel
Orbost Hotel, Orbost
If you are after some traditional nourishment when kicking off your Great Vic adventure, you’ll find satisfaction at the Orbost Hotel in Orbost. The Orbost has welcomed weary travellers since it opened its doors in 1884 and still prides itself on the provision of great beer and great food. Feeling extra peckish? Try the generously-sized roast of the day.
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Credit: East Gippsland Coffee Roasters
East Gippsland Coffee Roasters, Orbost
Good coffee is a must for many a bike rider, and East Gippsland Coffee Roasters go to great lengths to create an unforgettable brew. It gathers beans from afar and roasts and packages them at its micro roastery in the heart of town. Enjoy the local art on display while you sip away.
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Buchan Caves Hotel, Buchan
Riders will seek a comfortable place to rest their legs after the first day of riding. The Buchan Caves Hotel is warm and welcoming, and the perfect spot to get a feel for this charming town. The recently renovated pub offers classic fare to replenish energy levels for the ride ahead. Hunger at an all-time high? Try the oversized burger.
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The Servo, Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance, where the Gippsland lakes meet the sea, is a buzzing holiday destination. What better way to take it in than a trip downtown for an authentic Mexican taco, just one example of the tasty street food on offer at The Servo. Sit back with a cocktail and watch local musicians do their thing.
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Credit: Big Bear Donuts
Big Bear Donuts, Lakes Entrance
It is not uncommon for lines to form for Big Bears’ famous donuts in Lakes Entrance, but devotees of doughy rings of goodness will find these specimens worth the wait. Though it operates out of a bricks-and-mortar operation near the Lakes Entrance footbridge, Big Bear will be firing up its food truck for a campsite appearance at the 2023 Great Vic.
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Sardine Dining, Paynesville
If the rolling hills on day four have you hankering for the finer things in life, Sardine Dining might be your answer. As the name suggests, this classy eatery offers a taste of the sea. Expect delicious local produce from the seasonal menu, paired with a glass of local or international wine. Share a tasting platter with your Great Vic friends, look over Paynseville's Raymond Island and soak up the coastal ambience.
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Credit: The Criterion Hotel
The Criterion Hotel, Sale
After more hearty pub fare in a historic setting? Spend some of your rest day in Sale's iconic watering hole, The Criterion Hotel. Built in 1865 and considered one of the largest intact 19th century hotels in Victoria, "The Cri" is now a contemporary gastropub proudly serving up local produce and fresh ingredients.
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Port Albert Fish & Chip Co, Port Albert
A visit to one of Victoria's oldest ports wouldn't be complete without some fresh seafood and a view of the boats moored to the wharf. The town served as a supply destination for Gippsland’s pioneers from the mid-1800s to 1878 and the Port Albert Fish & Chip Co is great spot to get a feel for its historic past.
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Fish Creek Hotel, Fish Creek
After a spectacular ride across the rolling hills of South Gippsland, finish the day at the local pub. You’ll find a menu packed with pub favourites, sustainably caught goodies and a tasty range of seafood. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful art-deco style building and you might just spot a giant fish.
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Credit: Gibsons (Facebook)
Gibsons Cafe, Fish Creek
Delicious baked treats, hearty brunches and all kinds of homemade goods are on offer at this quaint cafe in Fish Creek. Stop by for a coffee and a bite, or pick up some goodies for the road ahead. Either way, give their gourmet pies some genuine consideration.
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Credit: Treat Time (Facebook)
Treat Time, Inverloch
It’s the last day of riding on the Great Vic, so treat yourself as you pedal through Inverloch. Treat Time has a tempting array of local and imported goodies. Think American chocolates such as Reece’s, or New Zealand’s famous Hokey Pokey (crunchy honeycomb) … need we say more?
Dirty Three Wines, Inverloch
Dirty Three Wines in Inverloch is a favourite with locals and a fantastic place to stop and sample delicious drops. Tastings of current vintages, cultivated in South Gippsland, are on offer at this cellar door. If time permits, stop off for lunch. The menu brims with locally produced plates and matching wine. The team takes pride in its pinot noir.
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Credit: Little Wren Sandwich Bar and Coffee House (Instagram)
Little Wren Sandwich Bar and Coffee House, Wonthaggi
A little birdy tells us this little lunch spot is one of the best in town. The generous assortment of wraps, sandwiches, local jams and other goodies makes it easy to see why. Pro tip: try the Reuben for a seriously good sandwich.