Perched up on the Strzelecki ranges, the ridge top village

Poowong has an altitude of around 200 metres, part of which is on a ridgeline overlooking the Bass River valley, dropping down to Loch village (85m) to the southwest and Nyora (122m) to the west. It’s hilly country, famous for dairying and raising beef. Plus a few sheep. And horses.

Two major roads intersect in the centre of town. It’s not a roundabout, by the way, so be very careful and watch the signs. The east-west axis is called Nyora Road to the west, and Ranceby Road to the east. The north-south axis becomes Drouin Road to the north, and southwest down the hill into the Bass Valley, the Loch-Poowong Road.

Most of Poowong’s key buildings are on the west-east axis Nyora and Ranceby Roads. These include (from the west) the Pioneer Chapel, Uniting Church, Swimming pool, All Saints Anglican Church, Poowong Hall, Poowong Hotel, Post Office, the Myli Library, CFA Fire Station, IGA shop, the Consolidated School and the Old Butter Factory.

If your trip to Poowong is from Loch on the Loch-Poowong Road, you’ll drive along the pretty Bass River valley with the Poowong ridgeline on the left. Towards the top of the short but steep climb, at the village “‘Welcome”' sign, turn left into the little Poowong Public Park, with its trio of eucalptus trees and delightful stand of camellias surrounded by tree ferns. Look back across the farmland and the Poowong Cemetery. Established in 1881, it’s the oldest cemetery in South Gippsland. Take a stroll to view the old headstones of early settlers and their families. It’s wonderfully maintained by a volunteer group. Contact is Lyn Rogers or via email.

What’s around the next corner! Turning left at the main intersection you can start a village walk after parking at the centre of Nyora Road near the War Memorial (erected in 1922). The Memorial symbolically acknowledges the sacrifices of service-people in the two World and more recent Wars, conflict and peace-keeping operations. A list of local World War1 service-people is at the monument itself. WW 2 and Vietnam Honour Rolls are inside the Poowong Hall opposite.

Proceeding westwards up the gentle hill, you go past the historic old General Store (currently closed) on the left. Natures Beauty Spa Salon is adjacent where Beautician Annie Bennett provides complete service from head-to-toe facials, brow and lash, manicures, skin laser, waxing, tattoo removal, spray tans and pedicures plus a wide wide range of lotions, oils, gifts and essentials. Drop in to 7 Nyora Road and say “Hi”, or call Annie first. Open 5 days, Tuesday to Saturday.

Next door, Poowong Hair and Beauty can get your head right – start off with a hair trim or a tint by talented and experienced hairdresser Coreen Mechielsen at 7 Nyora Road, Poowong, but better call Coreen first to make a booking.

Further up the road is the Uniting Church which becomes the friendly “Mya Mya Cafe” morning tea venue every Wednesday from 10-12:00. A great place to connect with others. It’s a busy place during the week and groups that use the Church include Garden Club, CWA, Childrens Playgroup and PCCC. Church contact is Laurie or via email.

Poowong Garden Club is a group of like-minded gardeners who share recipes, gardening tips and fresh produce. They have a (private) Facebook presence, or you’ll be able to contact them at the weekly Mya Mya Cafe in the Uniting Church. Contact is Christina Robinson.

Poowong & District Country Women's Association (CWA) is a very busy and supportive community group. The Poowong Branch is one of eleven Branches in the Gippsland Hills Group. Meetings 1st Wednesday monthly at 7.30pm at the Uniting Church Hall. Contact is Thelma Hutcheson.

Poowong Play Group runs out of a safe and dedicated indoors and outdoors space at the Poowong Uniting Church between 9.15-11am on Thursdays during school terms. Lots of toys and activities, Kids and parents can get messy together. Contact Amanda Follett via their FB “Poowong Playgroup”.

The Pioneer Chapel is at the top of Nyora Road past Bryson Street, and the oldest public building in The South Gippsland Hills with a fascinating story. The original Wesleyan Church (then doubling as a school) was built in 1878, and re-built in 1898 after a major fire. It’s been de-consecrated and is now managed by the Poowong Historical Group which takes an active interest in local history and sells local books. The Chapel interior is quite stunning, with timber bench seats and a unique slope down to the altar. It has great acoustics, is a popular venue for weddings, and is available for hire. Contact is Stephen Halliday or email.

A few hundred metres further along Nyora Road and, a little unexpectedly on the left is a sign announcing the Poowong Lookout and Sculpture Park. The views down over the Bass Valley and the Landscape Country hills of South Gippsland are sublime and the carved wooden sculptures interesting and of course...quirky!

Turn around here and go back towards the centre of town. The new Oaks Estate is on the left, with the Poowong Swimming Pool next, the only swimming pool of the three villages. Pool contact via phone 5659 2228 or email sgsplash.admin@ymca.org.au.

All Saints Anglican Church is a few doors down from the pool. It holds regular family and communion services from 11:00 on 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. It also houses a Community Garden at the rear. Contact is Christina and Paul Robinson via phone or email.

Poowong Community Garden is new and still evolving, with a clever layout of eight raised garden beds arranged around a covered central gazebo. Pause, sit, gaze. Kids from the school plant a (seasonal) hill full of pumpkins. Pumpkin Hill. (Official title is the Poowong All Saints Community Garden). Contact is Christina and Paul Robinson via phone or email. Check out FB for photos and news.

Poowong Panthers Basketball Stadium is next, tucked in between the Church and the Public Hall. It’s a very tidy and well maintained indoor basketball stadium, and an important regional competition base. It’s the only indoor stadium in the three villages. Contact via email.

Poowong Squash Club. Squash facilities are also inside the Basketball stadium. There are two excellent squash courts, with games generally available early on evening Monday and Wednesday. Contact is Frank Bugeja. See FB Poowong Squash Club

Poowong Public Hall (established 1937 on its current site), next to the Stadium and slap bang in the centre of town across from the hotel. It’s a substantial hall with WW2 and Vietnam honour boards and a great elevated stage for live performances. Available for hire as an entertainment and function venue. Enquiries or bookings please contact John at the Post Office (opposite).

Around the corner to the left and behind the Poowong Hall on Drouin Road, is a small grassed community space with Public toilets, a covered barbecue area, a list of community organisations and a village facility map.

A little further along Drouin Road is the entrance to the Poowong Recreation Reserve and precinct. The Reserve is managed by the Recreation Reserve Committee which, like each of the three village Reserves, is supported by volunteers. Contact is via email.

The Reserve’s oval is a combined football/cricket/festival ground, with electronic scoreboard and football/netball/tennis club facilities.

The Poowong Football Netball Club has a proud history – established in 1889 – and a very active presence today. Their Facebook is “Poowong.fnc” and secretary is Clint Newcombe. The President is Matt Henshall.

(NB. Junior football (U10, U12 &U14) is played out of Loch and is completely separate to the Poowong Football Netball Club, and the two clubs support each other where possible. Contact is president@poowonglochjfc.org.au)

Poowong-Loch Cricket Club plays regular summer matches on the Reserve oval. If you want to organise a net practice there is none in Poowong, so take the short drive to Nyora or Loch. Contact via email poowongloch@club.cricketvictoria.com.au (Facebook is Poowong Cricket Club).

Poowong Tennis Club also operates from the Reserve precinct. It’s a family friendly club with Junior and senior tournaments and social and occasional free clinics. It has four non-cushioned all-weather courts. The courts are re-configured to be shared with netball as needed. These are the best tennis/netball courts of the three villages. The club Facebook is “Poowong Tennis Club”. Best contact is Wendy Tilling or email.

A number of unpowered camp sites (no tents) are available in the Reserve at very reasonable prices. Enquire at the Poowong Hotel.

A really well-established enclosed children's playground is alongside the tennis/netball courts at the northern end. It can be accessed freely at any time.

Unlike Nyora and Loch, Poowong does not lie on the Rail Trail, and the village footpaths are not yet well connected. The Poowong Recreation Reserve, therefore, has become the go-to place for people and dog walking, as an exercise, recreation and junior sports training venue, as well as a Childrens’ playground, and overnight caravan area. If you want a longer walk, just make the short drive to any of Nyora, Loch, Jeetho or Bena to access the 129km long Great Southern Railtrail.

Further on top of the hill on Drouin Road, with the still functional water tower ahead, is the established Birches Estate entrance at the northern end of town, Take a drive through and see some quirky garden gnomes, expansive gardens and some nice elevated views.

Return to the heart of the village from Birches Estate, and on the way is Cecil and Sons Cartage contractors. All soils, topsoil, gravel, road metal, screenings, scalpings, woodchips, red gum firewood, backhoe, excavator, grader and tip truck hire. At 18 Drouin Road, Poowong opposite the entrance to the Recreation Reserve Oval. Contact Adam or Dave.

In the centre of the main Street, near the crossroads, three interesting monuments include: The Sundial, commemorating the early pioneers, unveiled in 1974 as part of Poowong’s Centenary celebrations. The “Silver” Plough, installed in 2015 by the West Gippsland Ploughing Association to honour the importance of ploughing throughout history, craft and skill of mouldboard ploughing over the years, and the strong local representation in World Ploughing Contests. The plough is actually galvanised, not silver, so its value is purely educational not material! The Packhorse monument, installed in 1999 as part of 125th anniversary signifies the early days of European settlement, and includes a number of panels describing some of Poowong’s history. Nearby look out for a few quirky and randomly placed ancient treasures, such as antique trucks and a hidden skeleton, old motorbike and Luna the imposing garden statue.

Back to the shopfronts. Sitting on the crossroads is the iconic and historic Poowong Hotel. at 1 Ranceby Road. Hosts Fiona Cox and Ben Hall run a great pub, with great food, Guinness and Furphy on tap, and a fully stocked bottleshop. In 2024, the Poowong Pub was awarded the AHA State Award as best Regional Pub/Bar.
Bar times – open 7 days a week, Monday and Tuesday open from 2.00pm, Wednesday to Sunday from 11.00am.
Meal times - Lunch: Wed to Sun 12-2.30pm, Dinner: Wed to Sat 5.30–8.30pm. All dietary requirements catered for, including coeliac, vegetarian, vegan etc. Functions catered for. Trivia nights last Wednesday of the month. Contact 5659 2351.

Lectaire Auto Electrics is next door to the Hotel at 5 Ranceby Road and provides auto electrical and air-conditioning services. Contact Adrian Tilling.

South Gippsland Timber and Trading is adjacent at 9 Ranceby Road. Local big cylinder gas supplier. If you want to order timber; get gutters replaced; arrange a small extension; a perfect fence or pergola built; or small concreting jobs, then contact Derek Luke.

Keep walking and you’ll find IGA Xpress the local Grocer at 17-19 Ranceby Road, next to the Dairy and Hardware. Small but well-stocked supermarket and convenience store. Includes a licensed section. Grab a bag of ice or two. Open 7 days, 8.00am to 7.00 pm weekdays; 8.00am to 6.00pm weekends. Contact 5659 2448.

Poowong Dairy and Hardware store, also at 17-19 Ranceby Road. Hardware and animal feed. Stocks an extensive range of household and cleaning equipment; tools; painting, irrigation, plumbing, fencing and rural supplies, pet and chook food and cattle feedstock. Contact Matt or Bonz.

Further up Ranceby Road is the Poowong Consolidated School (Prep to Grade 6), with a great school philosophy, community contact and lovely grounds, and an extended fence mural. The School’s Science and Sustainable program was a finalist in the statewide Primary school Awards in 2024.

If your cat or dog needs caring – short or long term – drive further out past the School to Gippsland Paws and More. They’ll enjoy clean, well maintained five star comfort at 85 Gardner Lane, just outside Poowong. Call Sam first.

Back at the edge of town as you head back to the CBD is The Old Butter Factory (1902-1985) recalls the past and current importance of dairying to the area, and which once was a major employer – 70 people on closure in 1985.

Poowong CFA provides indispensable community protection! In between fires, they have a key role in fire hazard management, community education and training. They send out regular advisories via the various community Facebooks, and volunteers are always welcomed. Drop in then, or have a chat via phone. If you have a fire to report, ring “000”. General local email contact is poowongcfa@outlook.com.

Myli library is a few doors along at 18 Ranceby Road. If this is your home library, you can apply for a 24/7 access token, so you can browse the shelves, borrow books, pick up holds, use the free Wifi or simply enjoy the library space. The very beautiful and colourful Lions Dairy Expo cow, “Buttercup” to her friends, will invite you and your family inside. Myli is staffed one day a week (Thursdays) from 1.00-5.30pm. During those hours, the Poowong contact is 5659 2349 or, outside these hours 5622 2849.

Poowong Uniting Kindergarten is a stand-alone, centre-based care institution with classes for 3 to 4 year olds, at 12 Ranceby Road, Poowong, together with the Poowong Maternal and Child Health Centre. Classes run 3 days from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Call 1800 183103.

Poowong Post Office. Housed in an historic old building on the main street of Poowong, just near the main roads intersection. It has a very nice selection of gifts with excellent children and family reading material, including a good range of local regional newspapers. Address is 10 Ranceby Road, Poowong. Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to midday Saturday. Contact John.

The recently re-opened Poowong Cafe and Takeaway starts early from any time from 8.00am for breakfast, coffee, cake, snack or a famous Barnsey pie. The Barnes are carrying on the popular lunch takeaway fish and chip/hamburger tradition from 11:30am). Fresh-baked bread, pies and cakes are a big feature. Open 6 days a week – (closed Monday) Tues to Sat 8.00 am-8.00pm, Sundays 8.00am to 3.00pm, last order 7.30pm. Contact Trevor and Kristelle on via email.

Remedial, Lymphatic and Oncology Massage is the next business. Sarah specialises in complex and chronic conditions. She is qualified to provide remedial, oncology massage and decongestive lymphatic therapy, and compression treatment. Contact Sarah for a booking.

Take a break right on the corner of the town crossroads at The Heartland Cafe at 2 Ranceby Road. Sip a latte while you’re checking out the pantry for take-home gourmet delights. A cosy cafe with gifts and antiques as well as the The Farmgate Pantry, which provides cured meats, meat and poultry, sauces, dairy and yoghurt, nuts and crackers, local honey, jams and preserves, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Contact is Tania via FB.