Wilsons Promotory - Victoria Australia

Wilsons Promontory

The iconic Wilsons Promontory is certainly a nature-lovers delight, but it’s also a lot more. This is a great destination for international and interstate visitors as well as families and active adventurers. This is the southern most tip of the Australian mainland, surrounded by sea on three sides.

The great news is that Victorian National Parks, including Wilsons Promontory, are now free for day visitors.

Top 5 things to do and see

Views, rock formations and wildlife

The drive from Foster down to Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National park takes you past lush green farmlands, over quiet rivers teeming with waterbirds, past koalas and kangaroos (if you can see them), and wombats to some spectacular lookouts and views of the coast and islands that surround The Prom. Sunset is a great time to have a picnic at Whisky Beach and watch the sun set behind Norman Island, or simply stop just about anywhere off the road to take in the views.

Beaches

For surfing and swimming, the Prom Country area has a beach for just about everyone, consistent surf is found at Tidal River with other popular surfing spots including Sandy Point, Walkerville and Venus Bay. For swimmers, patrolled beachers include Waratah Beach, Venus Bay, Inverlock, Cape Paterson and Norman Beach at Tidal River, generally only patrolled on weekends and throughout summer.

For just lazing about, rock pools, and looking at the view toward Norman Island, you can’t go past Whisky Beach and Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park. Whisky Beach has colourful boulders at either end and on Squeaky Beach the sand really does squeak, both are great family destinations, but the strong undertows make surf swimming dangerous.

Hiking

A range of both short and long walks are the highlight of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Short walks include Squaky Beach, Lilly Pilly Gully and the Loo-Errn track which follows the edge of the tannin-stained waters of Tidal River, this is accessible for prams and is generally a board-walk with rest platforms along the way. For something more challenging, head to Mt Oberon summit.

Overnight hikes take you further into the park where you can reach Wilsons Promontory Lightstation and historic residences. Just over 19km each way, this is for serious hikers, however you can also book a lighthouse tour for your arrival.

Fishing

From Waratah Bay to Shallow and Anderson Inlets, Corner Inlet and Port Albert, there is a huge variety of fishing available in the Prom Country. Famous for King George Whiting, you can also find flathead, gummy shark, flounder, garfish and prawns along with Snapper and trevally. Fish from the beaches, jetties, or put a boat in and go a little further. There are a lot of boat ramp access points, but they are generally tide affected, so timing is important.

Apart from a Victorian fishing licence, you’ll also need to obtain information on the Marine Parks that dot the area including Wilsons Promontory Marine Park and Corner Inlet Marine and Coastal Park.

Discoveries

Explore more of The Prom country by taking a drive to South Walkerville and Cape Liptrap lighthouse. South Walkerville is home to some historic Lime Kilns that are right on the beach, a hidden gem.

The Southern Gippsland Wine Trail is a great touring route, the area being home to a number of award winning vineyards. Cool-climate red is the wine of choice.

For the more adventurous the Tarra-Bulga National Park sits in the north of this area, famous for the Corrigan Suspension Bridge, the roads are narrow and winding, but offer spectacular scenery and fabulous views. Follow the 132km Grand Ridge Road along the ridge of the Strzelecki Ranges.

Holiday options

A bit of something for everyone, great fishing, beaches and outdoor activities. Plenty to keep the family happy or get stuck into some serious adventure.

When to go?

Summer is popular for beaches, but is also an incredibly busy time of year in the park. If hiking or fishing are your thing, then Autumn through to Spring are ideal times to visit.

How to get there?

Around 200km from Melbourne on M1 and then M420, the South Gippsland Highway then onto the A440. Wilsons Promontory is also on the popular Sydney to Melbourne touring route.

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but if you are into serious nature activities, then a week would only start to do this area justice.

Where to Stay? – great places to stay near Wilsons Promontory

Tourist Information

The visitor information centre in Foster is excellent or for online information go to www.visitpromcountry.com.au

Gippsland Lakes - Victoria Australia

Ninety Mile Beach

Gippland Lakes

Whether you are looking for a family getaway, a romantic weekend, or out for some adventure, the Gippsland Lakes is a vast area that offers something for everyone.

From relaxed cruises on Lake Tyers to cycling along the East Gippland Rail trail or hanging out at popular Lakes Entrance. The area is Australia’s largest network of lakes, marshes and lagoons, separated from the ocean by the coastal dunes of Ninety Mile Beach.

Top 5 things to do and see

90 Mile Beach

The coastal dunes of Ninety Mile Beach extend from Lake Tyers down to Seaspray with the lakes system on one side and the ocean on the other. Both bird and marine life are in abundance. There is surfing, fishing, boating and walking right along here, just choose the spot you wish to explore and whether you want rolling surf or flat water.

Lakes Entrance Footbridge

Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance itself is a holiday town, stretched out along the Cunningham Inlet, there are plenty of facilities for families, including mini-golf, paddle-boats (www.lakesentrancepaddleboats.com.au) and of course the beaches. Walk over the pedestrian bridge to the patrolled beach, or stop and have a fish as you go.

Drive, walk or cycle up the hill for a birdseye view of the entrance to the lakes system itself, quite spectacular, or watch the fishing boats return with their catch.

Waterfront Dining Paynesville

King Lake

King Lake is home to the Mitchell River Silt Jetties which jut out from silt washed down the river in times of flood. You can drive out on these, fish, swim or just look about. For a great view of the area head to the lookout at Eagle Point Bluff.

On the northern side is the lovely village of Metung, an artistic village which is also great for boating and walking along the foreshore boardwalk. There are a large number of waterfront eateries here, and this is a quieter location than the busy Lakes Entrance. For a bit of local flavour, there is a farmers market every second Saturday.

East Gippsland Rail Trail

The Rail Trail follows the former railway route from Bairnsdale to Orbost. If you are keen to cycle the entire length, it is 98km. The trail passes through farmland and forests and close to many interesting places including the Stony Creek trestle bridge. Of course you don’t have the cycle the whole distance, you can start or stop at any point, and you can also walk or ride a horse!

Historic Trestle Bridge on Rail Trail

Touring

No matter what type of vehicle, or bike, you have, there are a huge number of interesting drives in the area, taking in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park as well as the Snowy River National Park. Head up the Great Alpine Road to Omeo, check out the Buchan Caves, even go white water rafting on the Snowy River.

Paynesville makes a great day trip (if you’re not already staying there), with some great waterfront dining, an historic hotel and interesting churches. You can catch a vehicle ferry over to Raymond Island to check out the koala population too.

Holiday options

A bit of something for everyone, great fishing, beaches and outdoor activities. Plenty to keep the family happy or get away from it all for a romantic weekend.

When to go?

Summer is obviously a great time for the beaches, but Spring, Winter and Autumn are great times to explore the Rail Trail and fishing is good at any time of the year.

How to get there?

Just under 300km from Melbourne on the Princes Highway will take you to Bairnsdale, the commercial centre of the Lakes.

How long to go for?

A romantic weekend would be the minimum, but a holiday of 2 to 3 weeks would not be unrealistic in this area as there is plenty to see and do.

Where to Stay? – Huge range of accommodation in Lakes Entrance, Metung, Bairnsdale, Paynesville

Tourist Information

Visitor information centres in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance or www.discovereastgippsland.com.au or www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au

Mallacoota - flathead fishing capital of Australia

Mallacoota

Mallacoota is a small fishing village in the north east corner of Victoria, probably closer to Eden in NSW than any major Victorian town. It’s a short drive off the Princes Highway, and for those in the know a place that they return to again and again.

Top 3 things to do and see

Fishing

Rumoured to be the flathead capital of Australia, Mallacoota is located on the Genoa and Wallagaraugh river systems into a lake which goes out into the Tasman Sea. A Victorian recreational fishing licence is required and you can catch bream, flathead, salmon, tailor, garfish, trevally, whiting and mullet. For family fun try prawning during the summer.

The lake system makes for easy boating with mooring facilities available for hire right on your doorstep as well as a number of purpose built fishing alcoves around the foreshore walk/cycle track.

Nature

There are a range of short walks along the lakeside, the beaches and through the Croajingolong National Park. The area is a classified World Biosphere Reserve and a key hub of Australia’s coastal wilderness.

Charter boats as well as short and day cruises enable you to see the lakes system at leisure.

WWII Historic Bunker Museum

Only open from 9am to 11am on Tuesday’s this bunker is run by volunteers and houses a huge collection of artefacts, photographs and the history of the war as it impacted the local community. Just a short drive from Mallacoota towards the airport.

Holiday options

This is a fishing destination, whether you have your boat, your kids, or want to take your dog, great access to waterways and good fishing facilities.

When to go?

Any time of year is good in Mallacoota, although it may be better to go before the crowds ‘fish out’ the lake. The township is very busy over the Christmas season right through until Easter so it’s always best to book ahead.

How to get there?

Just off the Princes Highway south of Eden once you cross into Victoria, or heading from Melbourne turn from the Princes Highway north of Orbost.

How long to go for?

If you’re a keen fisherman, then, given the location, you would want to stay for a week or two and take your boat.

Where to Stay? There are a huge range of great places to stay in Mallacoota.

Tourist Information

Check out www.visitmallacoota.com.au or pick up the visitor directory when you get there.