Mirboo North is a small rural community in south-west Gippsland. The town is situated between the Latrobe Valley and the Strzelecki Mountain Ranges with its ancient temperate rainforests and tall Mountain Ash trees. Mirboo North is an historically significant picturesque town surrounded by rich farmland and dairy pastures. It is halfway between Leongatha and Morwell on the Strzelecki Highway. Melbourne is only 147 km away. Dairy, onion, maize and potato farming are among the main agricultural industries. Alternative farming of emus, chestnuts, lavender and protea will also be found in the area.
Much of the area around Mirboo North was part of a great Gippsland forest of tall Mountain Ash over 200 feet tall and lush under story plants. This forest was cleared for grazing and settled from the late 19th century. The farmland that now surrounds Mirboo North is rich and provides much of the wealth of the region.
The Strzelecki Ranges offer to see pockets of these ancient cool temperate rainforests and the tallest of the Mountain Ash and beautiful fern gullies. The Strzelecki Ranges have some of the most diverse vegetation of any rainforests in Southern Victoria.
Mirboo North is close to the Latrobe Valley, the heart of Victoria’s coal and power generating industry.
The Strzelecki Ranges can be travelled by car along Grand Ridge Road that runs along the length of the Ranges. The drive offers panoramic views of the region, its Mountains, forests and fertile farmlands.
Bushwalking opportunities are available in the nearby bush reserves such as the Lyrebird Forest Reserve.
For train and historical enthusiasts, Mirboo North is one of the destinations of the Rail Trail, a historical railway built in the 1880’s between Morwell and Mirboo North. The railway was built on very hilly country and 29 bridges in only 32 km had to be built to accommodate the tracks.
A community market is held every month in the Baromi Park on the main street of Mirboo North. The Italian Community holds the annual St. Paul’s festival with a church service and parade through the main street.
