Victoria (Eastern Region)
Foster
Further down the South Gippsland Highway is the pretty former gold mining town of Foster. On the way in you will be rewarded with great views of Wilsons Promontory and Corner Inlet. Gold was discovered at Foster in 1870 by a group of timber cutters. While the finds were never as rich as those elsewhere in Victoria, goldmining continued through till the 1930s.
Rejoining the South Gippsland Highway and travelling east you will happen upon the town of Yarram, formerly the site of low-lying swamplands.

You can stay overnight at the Foster Exchange Hotel, 43 Main St, or the small, clean Foster Backpackers Hostel at 17 Pioneer St. The hostel manager doubles as the “Prom Postie”, running a mail delivery and transport service to Tidal River in the park (Mon–Fri; $10 one-way; minimum four people). The hostel also rents out all necessary camping equipment for trips in the national park. If you’re coming from Phillip Island, Amaroo Park Backpackers in Cowes has a good, inexpensive tour.