The charming little garden village in the foothills of the Strzelecki ranges

Loch’s main street, Victoria Road, is perfect for a leisurely coffee, brunching, lunching or dining. In between, stroll along the main and surrounding streets, and enjoy arts and crafts, antiques, woodwork, wirework, designer clothes, homeware, quirky “things” and interesting old buildings such as the Loch Public Hall, old Bank building (now Loch Brewery and Distillery), Masonic Lodge (now Post Office and Opshop), Old Loch Hospital (now group accommodation), railway station – a survivor from Welshpool further along the Railtrail, lovely little cottages, many re-purposed, all throughout the village.

Make it a more purposeful walk – go past the Sunnyside Park children’s playground, through the tunnel, onto the Loch Railway Reserve, across the suspension bridge and into the Memorial Reserve. Or for more serious walking, stroller pushing or cycling, head out along part of the 129km South Gippsland RailTrail.

The Loch History Walk Map is another really useful guide and will escort you on a very doable short walk to enjoy the sights of Loch. Look out for Nessie (lake monster or giant earthworm?) while you’re at it. You can pick up one for free from many local shops.

Loch Memorial Recreation Reserve is a stunning and special place, surrounded by memorial shade oak trees. Just an easy 5 minute walk from the village via two underpasses and the suspension bridge. If you must drive, the Reserve is directly across the Highway from Loch village by vehicle. The walk is a lovely family experience. Starting from the CBD, (or the Distillery/Brewery if your prefer) you go past the Childrens playground (Sunnyside Park), with the Skate Park on the right, and through the beautifully muralled tunnel under the highway. Ahead is a section of the Strzelecki Lions Club Market ground, but you turn right for just 100 metres along a very brief section of the Railtrail. At the (Loch-Poowong Road) underpass, follow the sign and turn left up a short incline, then over a suspension bridge crossing Allsop Creek – and – you’re there! It’s well worth the short walk!

The Reserve has a picture-perfect sports oval with a little pavilion and meeting room, ringed by a planting of mature oak trees – each with a plaque commemorating the contributions of local servicepeople. Plus a lovely little children’s playground. The oval itself combines Aussie footy and cricket in season, with two cricket practice pitches. The Reserve also serves as a camp ground (no tents) with six(6) powered and unlimited unpowered sites, for a modest charge. The money goes back into maintenance. Sheltered barbecue plus showers and toilets are available. Bookings can be made from the booking officer between 8am and 7pm via phone. Become a “Friend of the Reserve” and help out just when it suits you.

Loch and District Bowling Club at 24 Smith St has a magnificent 8-rink and new all-weather surface, and holds Tuesday and Saturday Pennant Divisions in the Strzelecki League. It’s a family friendly club with barefoot bowls on Wednesday nights (weather permitting). In summer, it’s also “burger and bowls” with an open bar. Situated at the top end of Smith Street. Contact is Sue Loughridge or email lochbowlsclub@gmail.com.

The Bowling Club is also the home of a Tai Chi class, conducted every Monday morning at 10:30am. No fee, just join the Bowls Club as a social member ($30). Contact Alanna or send her an email.

Loch Public Hall at 16 Smith St is a marvellous old historic building (1891), best from the inside. Rare Art Nouveau pressed metal walls are a huge feature. It showcases really good quality and easy-to-see old historic photos of timber getting, waterfalls, farming, people and buildings of the area. It’s heritage listed as a War Memorial, and owned and managed by the community in perpetuity. Hosts Sunday markets in winter, performing arts and exhibits during the annual Loch Garden weekend. Available for hire. Again, it could offer work for a volunteer or two.

The Country Womens Association (CWA) is an iconic and long standing Australian organisation. These days it’s a dynamic support network for women that encourages socialising, growth, and learning. The members welcome newcomers to meet for friendship, craft and to help their local communities. Loch CWA meets at 1pm on the 1st Wednesday every months at Loch Hall. Group craft convener is Dianne Wilson.

Our Guide will walk us to food, crafts and businesses and shopfronts whose opening hours will vary throughout the year depending on the season and staff availability. So, it’s worthwhile checking before you go.

Start from the impressive old brick building at the entrance of town on the corner of Mary Street and Victoria Road, which is:

Loch Brewery and Distillery is prominently presented inside and out in what was the old Union Bank Building at 42/44 Victoria Rd. On-site handmade real ales, single malt whisky, gin spirits and fine liqueurs. All locally made. The cellar door is open for tastings, drinks and takeaway sales. Open Friday-Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Great decor, with the cosy inside bar area, highlighting gin stills plunked slap bang in the centre of the room! A lovely outdoor seated area, and an unbelievably wonderful smell at malting time! No meals (plenty elsewhere in Loch) and no bookings – just walk-in.

Carringtons of Loch Village, at 40 Victoria Rd in the heart of Loch is a treasure trove of various antiques, curios, fascinating figurines, furniture, art pieces and fine wines from tawny ports to excellent local wines, including from the Gippsland Wine Company. Check out the antique glass decanters, Corinella candles, Toby jugs or Japanese vases. Spend a happy half hour or more any time of the week. Open 7 days from 9.00am to 4.00pm. See Facebook or Instagram @Carringtons of Loch Village.

Olive at Loch, at 38 Victoria Rd opens at 7.00am every day Monday to Sunday! Hours are Fri-Sun 7.00-4.00pm. Mon-Thur 7.00-3.00pm. A wide range of specialities from brekky burger to high tea, baguettes, quiches, toasties or raspberry muffins. Fancy a dark ale pie? Between Carringtons and Yakkity Yak. Contact the shop or check their Facebook or Instagram.

Yakkity Yak, (the “gifts that give back”) stocks a beautiful range of products sourced ethically from Nepal, including hand loomed cashmere scarves, winter woollies, toys, accessories and classy clothing. Rochelle sources personally from local artisans, families and fair trade organisations in Nepal. Next door to Olive at Loch at 36 Victoria Rd. Open five (5) days, Wednesday to Sunday. Monday and Thursday hours 10.30am to 3.00pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours close an hour later at 4.00pm. Contact Rochelle.

Loch and Key restaurant and bar opens four days a week. Dining and relaxing at its best, with great modern Australian menu. How about a vanilla bean pannacotta? At 32 Victoria Road, open from midday for lunch and dinner Fri, Sat, Sunday between 12.00-10.00pm (closure 9.00pm Sundays). Thursday is between 4.00-9.00pm. Cosy restaurant with open fire place and beer garden. Vegan, GF, and GFO friendly. Contact Tamara or David or bookings at opentable.com.

Next, around the corner on Clarence Street is On Clarence, an artists collective and a contact point for artists, micro-businesses and sole traders newly moved into the area. Studios, pop-ups and social days. Check out their website at www.onclarence.com.au, Instagram and Facebook:

• Lucy Hersey Studio Gallery displays glorious landscapes of earth and made of earth. This is Landscape Country! Wednesday to Sunday and by appointment at Studio 1 On Clarence www.lucyhersey.com

• Greer Arnott Pottery creates cute cups, fantastic fungi and diverse delights, and occasional paintings. Wednesday to Sunday by appointment at Studio 2 On Clarence, Instagram @greerarnottstudio

• Little Boy Brew is Greg’s little vintage van with very early morning coffee, croissants and a few other essentials. Opens at 6.30am to midday 6 days Monday to Saturday

• Just a teaspoon is a pop-up pastry shop alongside Little Boy Brew. Maddi provides home made cakes, cookies and croissants, toasties and Saturday is sourdough day! Open 5 days Thursday to Monday from 8.00am to 2-ish. Maddi is active on Instagram and Facebook.

Enheal is also in Clarence Street. Chris Hayes is a naturopathic practitioner, offering integrated naturopathy and bodywork services for fatigue, stress, back pain and weight management. Chris conducts Yoga classes at Loch Bowls Club on Tuesday evenings from 7pm. Try it. Chris is available 5 days Mondays to Fridays (not weekends) by appointment via phone.

Back to Victoria Road, turn left, stop in for a look at the Post Office and Opshop. Both entrances are from Roy Street.

Loch Community Post Office may just be the cutest Post Office in Australia. From the pine cones in the fireplace, the old wooden clock sitting on the mantle above, antique scales, an old bench seat, sepia photographs on the wall displaying some of the history of the Loch - Nyora - Poowong area. Carefully crafted ambience and all run by volunteers! Not only that, it’s housed in the old Masonic Lodge building. It is on the corner of Roy St and Victoria Rd, with the entrance in Roy St. Current hours are 10.00 am-3pm Monday to Friday, and 10.00am to midday Saturday. Pop in to say hello and have a look around.

“Opportunity Lochs” community Charity Opshop is housed in the same Masonic Lodge building as the Post Office – just near the Fire Station on the corner of Roy Street. It has a great range of items and friendly, helpful volunteers. Become one! Or just build yourself a classy new wardrobe. Open four days Thursday through Sunday 10.00m to 4.00pm (summer hours) or 10.00 to 3.00 pm in winter. Drop in, look around!

Walk past attractive private gardens and the Police Station. Cross over Victoria Road, with the “Carpenter gothic” style Catholic Church the last building at 1 Victoria Road. Note the still used cattle loading ramp.

On the walk back, the first cottage on the left has two quirky metal welded sculptures– a mermaid and a Mary Poppins look-alike relaxing on the verandah. Love the alluring eyebrows. Brilliant!

A little further is The Mad Queen, aka Regina Dudek. The billboard on the fence says it all. Open by appointment only. Inside you find exquisite and diverse examples of wire and tinwork – tin baskets, bird cages, gloves, frocks, wreaths and jewellery. The Mad Queen shares her creativity and penchant for re-cycling through regular workshops at the 11 Victoria Road Workshop. Check her active Facebook The Mad Queen or Instagram @themadqueenartist.

Lochs of Hair is a quaint salon providing hair cuts, washes and blow waves for all. Operates from the same address as the Mad Queen at 11 Victoria Road. Open 4 days (Wed-Sat) from 9.00am until 4.30pm (earlier closure 1.00pm Saturday). Contact Ruth.

Peter McEwan Ceramics aka Loch Pottery. Peter is a pottery manufacturer at 13 Victoria Road. A show room at the front where you can purchase your very own – or two – Keep Mugs, and other pottery or ceramic gifts. Open every day 7 days from 10.00am to 4.00pm. If you like the idea of pinching, coiling or press moulding and glazing, then contact Peter to join one of the regular and popular half and full day classes or workshops.

Auswoodcraft is accessed down the driveway to check out Terry’s range of timber, cutting boards, weather stations, slabs, and painted terracotta pots. Auswood also arranges sharpening services (one week turnaround) for knives, axes, saw blades etc. Clear signage is at the front at 23 Victoria Road. Generally open 7 days a week from 9.00am to 3-ish. If you’re travelling to visit Auswoodcraft, best to contact Terry first.

Centennial Park with the village’s public toilets is next. Look for the clever mural at the front – a draught horse (Clydesdale) ploughing a furrow. Alongside is a genuine old red mouldboard plough. A lovely nod to Loch and the Landscape Country’s early history. Delightful and quirky.

Talking Pieces and Moira is a distinctive orange and charcoal building with quaint...and quirky... birdcages hangings outside. Talking Pieces is an impressive range of daring diversity. There’s much to talk about, with “vintage charm meeting modern eco-consciousness”! Moira and friends display recycled vintage designer clothing, artworks, jewellery, glassware, mid-century furniture and objects and leather goods. Next to the Shell Service station at 27 Victoria Road. Open four (4) days Friday and Sunday 11.00am to 3.00pm, earlier opening Saturday at 10.00am. Contact Moira or Shawn or check their Instagram.

Loch Motors is the Shell service station at the front, with Elton Motors (mechanical repairs, wheel alignments, data scanning and vehicle testing), at the rear. It’s the only fuel in Landscape Country and fuel prices are generally the best or on a par with the best in the district, so its well worth filling up locally. Both businesses share the 29 Victoria Rd address. The shop has a useful range of food and other necessities (milk, honey, bread, hot pies, ice, gas etc). Loch Motors opens at 7.00am every day, with a 6.00pm closure weekdays (4.00pm weekends), so good for emergency shopping. Elton Motors is weekdays only from 8.00am to 5pm. Dominic is at the shopfront and Andrew runs the workshop. You can contact them by phone.

Kin aka Kin Goods at Loch, is a delightfully collaborative space of carefully curated goods to elevate the home and body (homewares, gifts, clothing) plus fresh seasonal flowers. At 35 Victoria Road. Open 6 days (closed Wednesday) from 10.00am to 3.00ish pm. Contact Hayleigh or Sue. Active on Instagram @kin.goodsatloch.

Lok 33 provides food for your skin – essential oils, fragrance oils, handmade pottery, home and tableware plus decorative items. Generally open Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Contact via phone.

Loch Village Cafe and Foodstore at 35 Victoria Rd provides cooked breakfasts 7 days from 7.30am to 11.30am. Scrambled eggs, with or without extras, and more. Light lunches also, closes at 2.30pm Monday to Friday, and 3.00pm Weekends. Contact via phone.

The Loch Grocer at 37 Victoria Rd showcases interesting local produce, bakers, makers and growers, supplemented by a small cafe menu and excellent coffee. Opens 4 days from 10.00am to 3.00pm Thursday to Sunday with earlier opening at 9.00am on Sundays. Contact Mindy or Carol. Active on Instagram.

Loch Pilates Studio offers small group Reformer Pilates classes with the passionate Amanda in her studio at the back of 37 Victoria Rd. Beginners and all experience levels welcome. By appointment with Amanda. Check website www.lochpilates.com.au.

A little further on and just around the corner to the left at 10 Smith Street is the Loch Wine Bar, specialising in wood fried tapas and pizzas. Also other meals specialities, with local Gippsland wines and local craft beer and cider. Open three days for lunch and evening meals Friday to Sunday 12.00pm until late. Contact via phone.

Further down Smith Street is the Royal Hotel, first built in 1888 and rebuilt after fire in 1916. Now closed.

Just outside the village is the Gippsland Wine Company, a local icon producing excellent cool climate wines. Cosy Cellar door open 3 days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Popular are the tasting flights (4 wines guided by owners Mark or Jan), and wine by the glass. Local craft beer and Prom Country cheeses. Just drop in or, for group bookings, contact Mark.

Loch is part of the Yarram to Melbourne V-Line. Pick-up to Melbourne is near the Service Station in the main Street (Victoria Street), and down-stop alongside the Post Office (old Masonic Lodge). Five daily departures to Melbourne start at 6.06 am, with last return at 7.26pm. See the Other Services section for extra details.