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Fifty-thousand books, music festivals, & retiree koalas (sporting orthopaedic sandals): 8 - 15 October
Published about 2 months ago • 12 min read
Hiiii, good morning!
Spring definitely feels like it's stretching its legs now (finally!), especially after a the last week of “four seasons in a day,” and the continued winds I was bemoaning last time...
It’s finally warming up, and what a perfect excuse to hit a local trail (if that’s your jam. I've got my eye on a few nice tracks I've not been on before, and would highly recommend you get out and explore somewhere (familiar, or new, I won't judge!).
Across Gippsland this week we’ve got live music in every corner, plus two big hitters out East, Rockfest and SolarFolk, as well as a Hunting & Outdoors Expo out West in Lardner, and a stack of markets to stock up on local essentials and little luxuries.
So have you got your bags packed and ready? Sunnies on? Yeah? Let’s get goin'!
Know about an upcoming event, and think we need to know about it? Email us to give us a heads up, or submit an event here
Lawrence Mooney – Dead Set Country Friday 10 October 2025 – 8:00 pm | West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul A cheeky new hour with a country twang and plenty of laughs.
John Williamson – 55 Years Saturday 11 October 2025 – 7:30 pm | West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul True Blue favourites and stories from an Aussie icon.
Wild Deer Hunting & Outdoors Expo Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 October 2025 | Lardner Park, Lardner Camping, 4WD, hunting and outdoors know-how under one big roof.
Pippa J Sunday 12 October 2025 – 1:00 pm | Noojee Hotel, Noojee Sunny Sunday set by the river, perfect to round out the weekend.
South + Bass
The Nobbies Boardwalks Any day | Nobbies Reserve, Phillip Island Not strictly an "event", but we're feeling spring in our step so wanted to share this lovely clifftop boardwalk out to Seal Rocks and the blowhole — wild coast views for days.
The Great Witch Hunt October 2025 | Bass Coast - Grantville and surrounds Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt? This one's for families, with 80+ witches to spot in shopfronts; grab the map and explore.
Biketoberfest – Leongatha Saturday 11 October 2025 – 9 am to 3 pm | Bair Street, Leongatha Trials demos, live tunes, stalls and moto chat for the whole family.
Wonthaggi Citizens’ Band Annual Concert Saturday 11 October 2025 | The Union Theatre, Wonthaggi Local concert band on the big stage with a spring program.
The Flaming Moes Saturday 11 October 2025 – 7:30 pm | The Wooli Tavern, Cape Woolamai High-energy covers for a packed Saturday night.
Imogen Price Sunday 12 October 2025 – 2:00 pm | The Wooli Tavern, Cape Woolamai Smooth Sunday vocals by the sea.
Central
The Kings of the High C: Pavarotti & Friends Thursday 9 October 2025 – 11:00 am | GPAC Little Theatre, Traralgon Roy Best and friends serve the big tenor hits without the stuffiness.
John Waters – Radio Luxembourg Saturday 11 October 2025 – 8:00 pm | GPAC Little Theatre, Traralgon Stories and classic tunes from the British pop wave.
Kier Stevens Saturday 11 October 2025 – 7:00 pm | Maffco Brewery & Taphouse, Maffra Indie-roots originals with craft-beer ambience.
Dave Graney & The Coral Snakes Saturday 11 October 2025 – 7:30 pm | Live at the Bundy, Bundalaguah Alt-rock royalty in a beloved country hall—intimate and electric.
Forever Classics – Hits of the 60s Sunday 12 October 2025 – daytime | Kernot Hall, Morwell (GPAC program) A singalong time machine through the ’60s.
Rocktober – Lakes Entrance Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October 2025 | Lakes Entrance (Myer Street & venues) They have a BIG program, so check it out! Rock ’n’ roll dances, live bands, market vibes and a Sunday Show ’n’ Shine.
SolarFolk Music Festival Saturday 11 October 2025 – from afternoon | Nowa Nowa Recreation Reserve, Nowa Nowa Steph Strings, Sunday Lemonade, JC & The Tree, Harry Hook and more on a solar-powered stage.
Cam & J Sunday 12 October 2025 – 1:00 pm | Kalimna Hotel, Kalimna Acoustic Sunday session with lake breezes. (They've also got live music on the Saturday if you wanna check that out!)
Minnie & The Moonrakers Sunday 12 October 2025 – 4:00 pm | Paynesville Wine Bar, Paynesville Soulful Sunday wrap with a glass in hand.
🔍 Heads up: Event details sometimes change without notice — always double-check with an organiser or official event page before you head on out!
Line Up, Booklovers
So not sure about you, but I'm an avid reader, ever since my parents (back when I was at school) decided to bait and switch my tv-watching habit with books instead. They thought they were soooo smart. But instead of watching TV, I started devouring books at a pretty hectic pace - a habit I've maintained quite well if the stacks of books I've got say anything about it.... So books 100% have a special place in my heart. I keep thinking about how an e-reader would save space and be better for travel, but I just haven't committed to anything more high-tech than good old paper-books. And nothing - I swear, NOTHING - beats a cosy, quiet and inviting bookshop where you can explore and delight in finding new reads.
So you'll understand why I might've been day-dreaming about the perfect “duck-in, sink-into-a-chair, and let-the-world-pass-you-by” book nooks. I thought I'd try my hand at mapping out some great bookshops across Gippsland with staff picks, soothing quiet with soft voices, crisp books, and not much more than the sound of pages turning. Here’s a few we found:
The Hare & Tortoise Books — Korumburra New releases, kids’ gems, romance to fantasy, and a ‘stay-a-minute’ feel that rewards a slow lap of the shelves (on brand, really). Started online, now a warm bricks-and-mortar hub that’s become a community book brain.
Turn the Page — Cowes Bass Coast’s proudly indie bookshop with actual chairs (hallelujah) for sampling a first chapter while the sea breeze resets your brain. Nicely curated children’s section and regular events, great for finding a holiday read or just “treat yourself” central.
Ramalama Book Exchange — Wonthaggi Floor-to-ceiling wonderland of pre-loved reads where serendipity reigns. Leaning shelves, rabbit-hole bargains, and the joy of book-swap culture, resulting in a slow, satisfying fossick on a blustery day.
Bairnsdale Bookshop — Bairnsdale Fifty-thousand-plus titles (yes really) across new and pre-loved, plus a search service for the elusive out-of-print itch. A generous, old-school browse that feels like stepping into a friendly labyrinth.
Armstrong Books — Lakes Entrance Second-hand treasure cave: towering stacks, unexpected finds, and that glorious paper-and-dust smell. This place is a perfect “lose an hour, gain a story” stop.
Carousel Book Exchange — Sale A long-running Raymond Street favourite for bargain hunters and series completists. Bring a tote, trade a stack, leave smug. Ideal for topping up the caravan shelf before a weekend in the dunes.
Atticus Bookshop & Gallery — Foster Light, spacious, and equal parts books + art, with rotating exhibitions and even an in-house coffee bar makes it easy to linger after a Meeniyan/Foster food run. Stylish, friendly, and very “stay awhile.”
Call ahead if you’re chasing a specific title, most of these shops will happily special-order.
Make a nook: many have chairs or quiet corners; BYO keep-cup and be respectful of the space.
Trade-ins: the exchanges (Ramalama, Carousel, Armstrong) are great for budget reads, just check their swap rules first.
That’s the chapter break, and your cue to pick a suburb and go sniff some pages (or just look at the books like a normal person!). If we’ve missed your favourite nook, hit reply and tell us where to park our bookish behinds next time.
Trivia
Picture somewhere teeming with koalas, and then picture them behaving like retirees. Koalas doing power-laps of the same two branches in the tree, alternating which branch is the best for a 10/10 snooze. Reclining in their favourite 'seat' (tree) with some tepid 'gum tea'......shuffling around some important "paperwork" (aka chewing gum leaves for 8 hours), nodding off mid-chew like old Ned who just 'closed his eyes for a tick'.
They like to complain about the leaf quality (they were so much tastier back in '98), and offer unsolicited advice to bewildered neighbours. Then, up in the trees, they start nodding off by 7.32pm still muttering about rate rises, and are dead asleep well before the possums come out and start playing pokies....
Which island koala-spot is reached by a short Paynesville ferry?
Traralgon as a central reference; rest of Gippsland is within ~2 mins. DST is now in effect, we're using AEDT now.
As at Wed 8 Oct:6:38 am / 7:24 pm AEDT
🌕 Moon & Celestial Events
The full moon was on 7 Oct at 2:47 pm AEDT (100% illumination). We head into the week with a bright waning gibbous washing the sky early evenings, easing later at night.
Scorpius & Milky Way core: still in the southern sky after dusk. You can expect moonlight to mute faint detail early in the week; deeper views improve after midnight and later in the week.
Orionid meteors are active 2 Oct–7 Nov, building toward a peak ~21 Oct. With the Moon waning, start scouting after midnight this week; rates ramp up mid-month under darker skies.
Planets:
Saturn: superb in the evening, up for most of the night in Pisces—prime binocular/scope target.
Jupiter: returning to late-night/pre-dawn east;rising earlier as October progresses. Best views in the small hours before sunrise.
Go The Distance: Little Getaways
Got the getaway itch and the “leave-people-behind” mood? SAME. (Does this appear to be a recurring theme? Looks like it!). We strongly believe in checking out your own backyard and just exploring the incredible place we live in. There's loads of opportunities right here to see new places, stay in beautifully appointed properties, and fill your cup with some of Gippsland's beauty.
With that mind, we went fossicking across Gippsland for some more well-curated stays, where your neighbours are birds, your soundtrack is wind-in-the-trees (because it's still damn windy!), and the styling is perfection (or, you know, just really really great.) Here's our picks for this week:
Architect-designed and award-sprinkled, Ross Farm has three one-of-a-kind stays (Cabin, Barn, Dairy) all full of warm timber, handcrafted details and slow-living rituals (yes, there’s also an incredible handmade timber bath that practically demands guests indulge in a long soak). This is a place meant to be experienced and remembered.
Tucked just 1km outside Meeniyan, it’s country-quiet without skimping on good coffee nearby. Ideal for couples or a hush-hush solo reset - there are options to book multiple stays, or just the one, so you have the option to mix-and-match how many people you're retreating with. More info.
Set on five acres of native bush and 100% off-grid, this retreat features a magnesium lap pool and wabi-sabi textures. I think it's safe to say this place is the poster child for “disappear and decompress”.
The property was rebuilt after Black Saturday and is designed for privacy, so it’s the kind of place where you will easily pad from the outdoor shower over to firelight, and completely forget your phone exists. Sleeps up to four people. More info.
A luxury farm retreat built around 160-year-old homestead chimneys, and the winner of a 2024 design award for the stunning brick details incorporated into the property, giving a mix of heritage and modern styling throughout.
Set on ~80 acres of beef farm with picture-perfect High Country views, the retreat is pet-friendly, accessible, close to the rail trail, and deliberately private. Dalrose is perfect for a group, or a “just us” weekend full of firelight and long paddock walks. Sleeps up to 8 people. More info.
Let us know if you've ever stayed at any of these places, or if you have plans to, and pack some snacks and gear, hit up your group chat with “brb, going feral (in style),” as you head off to one of these....
Know about an upcoming market, and think we need to share it? Email us to give us a heads up, or submit a market here
Cue Up: this week's Markets
Here’s the market roundup for the second weekend of the month madness (brilliance?), with some of the summer markets kicking off once more now that we're well into October and daylight savings.
There's action across all shires this week (although less so in Baw Baw), so you can stock on your essentials and favourites this weekend:
WEST
Rokeby Market Saturday 11 October 2025 – 8:30 am–12:30 pm | Rokeby Recreation Reserve, 1016 Brandy Creek Rd, Rokeby Classic country market with fresh produce, plants and handmade bits.
SOUTH + BASS
Coal Creek Farmers’ Market (Korumburra) Saturday 11 October 2025 – 8:00 am–12:30 pm | Coal Creek Community Park & Museum carpark, Silkstone Rd, Korumburra South Gippy’s monthly fresh-produce fix.
Corinella Community Market Saturday 11 October 2025 – 9:00 am–1:00 pm | Harold Hughes Reserve, Smythe & Balcombe Sts, Corinella Coastal browse: bric-a-brac, plants and good coffee.
Cowes Island Craft Market (Phillip Island) Saturday 11 October 2025 – 9:00 am–2:00 pm | St Philip’s Parish Hall, 102 Thompson Ave, Cowes “Make, Bake, Grow” favourites from island makers.
Loch Village Summer Market (Strzelecki Lions) Sunday 12 October 2025 – 9:00 am–1:00 pm | Loch Railway Station Reserve, Loch Big community market energy—craft, produce and plants.
Kongwak Market Sunday 12 October 2025 – 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 1487 Korumburra–Wonthaggi Rd, Kongwak Every-Sunday vintage and collectables staple with live tunes.
CENTRAL
Anglican Parish of Yarram Community Market Saturday 11 October 2025 – 8:30 am–1:30 pm | Holy Trinity Church, 95 Commercial Rd, Yarram Friendly bargain hunt: crafts, produce and a busy op-shop next door.
Rosedale Country Market Sunday 12 October 2025 – 8:00 am–1:30 pm | Prince St Reserve, Rosedale Art, craft, produce and upcycled finds—proper community vibe.
Longford Community Market Sunday 12 October 2025 – from 9:00 am | Longford Recreation Reserve, Longford–Loch Sport Rd, Longford Newer market with loads of local makers and bakers.
EAST
Metung Farmers Market Saturday 11 October 2025 – 8:00 am–12:30 pm | Village Green, 60 Metung Rd, Metung Boutique lakeside haul: produce, flowers and pastries.
Omeo Local Produce & Farmers Market Saturday 11 October 2025 – morning | Main St precinct, Omeo High-country goodies: preserves, bakes, wool and more.
Paynesville Lions Club Community Market Sunday 12 October 2025 – morning | Gilsenan Reserve, Victoria St, Paynesville Easy Sunday mooch by the foreshore—crafts, produce and snacks.
Occasionally weather events can cause changes to markets, but Facebook is pretty reliable if you want to check that things are going ahead as planned.
Hopefully there's something in this round up that's peaked your interest or snagged your attention where you're now going 'I'm gonna check that out!' - that's exactly what this is all about. Plans for this week - all wrapped up!
Last little bits:
Tell us about events and things you know are happening so we can spread the word (free) - or email us, or message us on socials - whatever works for you.
Email us if you have suggestions, or if you'd love to talk to us about what you do, who you are, or toot someone else's horn so we can feature you (or them) (free)
Share your referral code (at the bottom of this email) with mates/enemies/your favourite local barista below (free, for them, and you).
Hope you have a bloody good day and enjoy the week ahead!
If you live in Gippsland..... get the good stuff, no static.🦘🚗🌳
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Dropping every Wednesday morning, just in time to save your weekend plans. Get local events, new eats, weird gigs, small-town heroes, pop-ups, markets, and the odd wombat fact — all in one inbox hit. Subscribe for free⬇️
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