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Ninety Mile Beach - Tidal River
Ninety Mile Beach
The NMB and nearby Gippsland lakes are pop recreation areas. The lakes form the largest
inland waterways in Australia.
Ocean Grove
This is a holiday resort est. by the Methodists, it has no licensed hotels. Its main
attractions are a Flora and Fauna nature
reserve with walking tracks and a donkey stud which breeds miniature Irish Donkeys.
Finnigans Donkey Stud also has a small zoo with a zendonk (cross between a zebra
and a donkey), one of its star attractions, actually! Another attraction is a doll display
centre with over 700 dolls dressed as fairy tale characters, or in traditional costumes.
Organ Pipes National Park
24Km W of Melbourne, this 85H park features organ-pipe formations
and tessellated pavement, which are basalt formations of considerable geological interest.
Otway Coast
The Otway Coast lies between Warrnambool and Geelong and takes in a small part of the
magnificent Great Ocean Road that I was telling you about. The largest centre on this
coast is Apollo Bay, which was settled by whalers in the 1840s. The next decade saw a
timber industry flourish followed by farming a decade later. Two highlights are Bass
Strait Shell Museum and the Historical Display Centre.
Phillip Island
This island is famous for its evening parade of fairy penguins but it is also noted for
its abundant koalas and birdlife. Other attractions include craft centres, a museum, a
deer park and attractive beaches.
Portland
This is a picturesque seaside town overlooking Portland Bay and is the only deepwater port
between Adelaide and Melbourne. This town
was the first permanent settlement in Vic and its historical significance is evident in
the many buildings classified by the National Trust - again. Art galleries and Museums
here also.
Red Cliffs
This soldier settlement town was est. in 1919-22 and today relies on the irrigation system
to nurture the surrounding citrus groves and vineyards. The main attraction of the town is
a traction engine, known as "Big Lizzie", which is on display next to the Calder
Highway.
Robinvale
It was est. as a soldier settlement following WWII. Today it is an important winegrowing
centre and citrus fruit region. The most notable wines produced in the district are those
of Robinvale and McWilliams. Another nearby attraction is the Fish Ladder at Euston Weir.
Rutherglen
A famous, or the most famous wine-growing district in Oz. Today it is famous for its dark
reds and dessert wine.
Sea Lake
Located S of Lake Tyrrell, this town is the site of one of Australia's largest off-road
car rallies, the Mallee Desert Rally which is held every June. The main region is the sea
of grain that surrounds the town. Other attractions. include Quarterhorse, Brahman and
Appaloosa studs at nearby Nandaly.
Stawell
Est. in 1851, at the height of the gold rush days. In 1857 rich alluvial gold was
discovered which led to a rapid influx of 20 000 people eager to pan for their fortune.
Some of the many attractions at this town include the North Western Woollen Mills started
in 1923 and a chiming town hall clock which activates a bronze sculpture of two goldminers
operating a gold-washing machine. Nearby is Bunjils Caves which features Bunjil, a
dreamtime ancestor shared by most Aboriginal tribes in south-eastern Oz.
Swan Hill
Swan Hill was appropriately named by the explorer Major Mitchell (the guy who also named
our wonderful Major Mitchell parrots) after observing swans where he camped in 1836 on
what is now the site of the present town. At first the town was a major crossing point and
sheep station centre but after 1854 it became an important river port. The main
attractions of the town are a pioneer village displaying colonial architecture and
machinery - 2 paddle-steamers, the Gem and the Pyab. Also is a military mus.
covering conflicts ranging from the Crimean War to Vietnam War and Australia's only
stereoscope theatre.
Tidal River
Situated in the Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tidal River offers fuel and take-away
food, a post office and a shop. During the main holiday period an open-air cinema
operates. For those wanting to explore the park, brochures and booklets can be obtained
from the park office which cover the Fora, Fauna
and geology of the region.
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