Visitors to Gippsland can now extend their stay at the much-loved Woodside Beach Hotel, with new pod-style accommodation adding to the classic Aussie pub experience.  

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh is pleased to announce that bookings are now open for three new pods, located close to the southern end of the iconic Ninety Mile Beach.  

Supported by $170,000 investment through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, the project will provide welcome accommodation for visitors keen to explore the beautiful Gippsland area and unwind with a night at the pub. 

The pods are decked out with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Guests can opt for a ‘welcome pack’ full of goods sourced from local farmers and suppliers, showcasing the region’s best growers and giving visitors a true taste of Gippsland. 

One of the pods is fully accessible, ensuring that people of all mobility levels can enjoy the new accommodation offering. 

The project also delivered an event space that can accommodate up to 100 people, boosting capacity for local events. Operational since August 2022, it held a massive 138 events in its first year of operation, attended by over 4,000 people. 

The modern event space features new windows, doors and flooring, stylish seating inside and out, and a high-quality AV system. 

Built in 1849, the pub is a pillar of Woodside and the surrounding community. The event space and accommodation pods are a huge drawcard for the venue that now welcomes music acts, weddings and private events from around the region, and community events like the fishing tournament. 

The project created up to 25 part time jobs during construction, and forecasting estimates that this new accommodation combined with the event space will inject more than $300,000 in visitor spend to the area per year. 

To book your next trip at the Woodside Beach Hotel, visit www.woodsidebeachhotel.com/accommodation 

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh  

“This new accommodation gives visitors even more reason to visit the Woody - enjoying Gippsland’s hospitality while supporting local jobs and businesses.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos 

“The new accommodation offering at the Woodside Beach Hotel means that the classic country pub experience just got cosier with visitors able to eat, drink and now stay the night, thanks to the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.” 

“We're backing tourism infrastructure projects that give visitors more ways to extend their stay and explore what this stunning part of Victoria has to offer.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes  

“The opening of this new accommodation is set to bring even more people to Woodside for longer stays, promising a welcome boost to the local visitor economy.” 

“Gippsland is home to a thriving visitor economy that supports regional prosperity, and projects like this are part of our commitment to ensure the region continues to become an even better place to live, work, study, invest and experience.”  

Quotes attributable to the Chairman of the Woodside Beach Hotel, Clint Hillas 

“We are incredibly grateful for the support received from the Victorian Government. The funding allows us to welcome more and more visitors to Woodside and surrounding townships, enhancing the region economically and ultimately, creating more jobs.”