Possibly the most picturesque town in all of Gippsland is the township of Noojee. Situated 128km east of Melbourne and 41 km north of Drouin, the name Noojee comes from the Aboriginal word meaning " valley of, or place of, rest ". With its wide range of natural attractions and interesting heritage it is easy to see why Noojee is the perfect place to come to unwind and escape from civilisation.
Noojee first began as a gold prospecting town in the early 1800's after gold was discovered in the region. It then became a major timber town when the railway connected the town to Warragul in 1919. Fire devastated the town in 1926 and then again in 1939. All of the timber mills, and a majority of buildings, were destroyed and saw an end to the export of timber from the town.
The historic Noojee Trestle bridge, which was used to freight timber out from the town, still stands today. This is the last remaining trestle bridge in Victoria and has been restored and is the highest example of its type in the state.
For such a small town there is so much to do. Major tourist attractions in the area include not only visiting the historic trestle bridge but trout fishing. The La Trobe river flows through the centre of town, as well as many locals backyards, and is well known for its abundance of salmon and trout fish. There is also the Alpine Trout Farm where you are certain to catch a fish.
Just east of Noojee is the Toorongo Falls Reserve. Explore the 3km walking track to a viewing platform and be amazed by the spectacular waterfalls. Visit the Ada tree, Victoria's largest tree. Estimated to be nearly 300 years old, it stands 76 metres tall with a circumference of 15 meters.
Being one of the main access routes to Mt Baw Baw ski fields, many tourists choose to take a break at the Noojee Hotel, Red Parrot Cafe, Outpost restaurant or Toolshed Bar. Each of these offer a different dining experience and all have plenty of character.
Tucked away among the fern gullies, with its tiny population and eclectic mix of real estate, Noojee is still quite undiscovered and today remains one of Victoria's best kept secrets.