[ About ]The Berwin Zipline is designed as a single-span aerial tourism experience across the entrance channel at Lakes Entrance, from Kalimna Hill to Bullock Island.
The attraction will leverage the natural topography of the area to create a low-energy, environmentally sensitive tourism experience.
Using state of the art technology, Berwin Zipline will be one of the first to allow users not only to descend, but ascend, during their experience.
Not just a ride, the Berwin Zipline offers opportunities for educational experiences focused on the local environment, cultural heritage, STEM & more.
THE ROUTE
[ The Berwin Zipline Story ]HOW DID THE BERWIN ZIPLINE COME TO LIFE?
Like all great concepts, the background story is just as compelling.
What happens when a young local builder suffers sudden, career-ending health struggles? Adaption, innovation and the desire to create a living for his young family, along with a lasting legacy in the town he loves.
As Rory (Founder) puts it, 2020 was the moment he became distinctly aware that necessity is the mother of all invention.
While working on Bullock Island, (restricted to light duties due to his recent diagnosis), he looked up to watch a Sea Eagle (Berwin) gliding along the thermal at the cliff face of Kalimna Hill. What a view it must be from that aspect, one that people can only get mildly close to with a helicopter. What if he could create an experience showcasing the beauty exclusive to the bird life of the lakes? Flying over the Gippsland waterways, swooping from Kalimna Hill and landing on Bullock Island.
Like many passionate locals, he recognised Bullock Island as an incredible yet underutilised part of Lakes Entrance, and Kalimna Hill as the perfect launch site. So that afternoon he walked the trail up to Kalimna Hill as he started to map out ideas.
With the Gunaikurnai traditional owners front of mind, Rory (Founder) reached out to Uncle Russell Mullet at GLaWAC to determine any Cultural Heritage overlays. After explaining his concept, and the inspiration behind it, Uncle Russell Mullet offered the name Berwin (Sea Eagle in the local Gunaikurnai language) for the project.
In 2021 he received positive feedback after pitching the idea to the East Gippsland Shire Council, and started researching state of the art zipline technologies and global companies. In 2023, he flew out a renowned Canadian zipline company for a site visit and the concepts started to become reality.
All great things take a considered approach, and as the planning stage proceeds, the exciting part is just beginning for this multi stage tourism venture.
Follow the Berwin Zipline’s progress over the coming year as Stage 1 is launched and be first to hear of what other experiences he has in mind for visitors and locals alike in this incredible part of the world.