A Day At The Beach

Gippsland has a fantastic selection of waterways to explore from creeks, rivers, lakes, dams and the ocean. Wellington Shire like other areas boasts plenty of options and less than half an hour drive from Sale is the fabulous Ninety Mile Beach. This unspoilt stretch of coastline has long been the perfect getaway for day trips, weekends, holidays and permanent living. There are so many accommodation options that cater to every budget and facilities to suit everyone.

The scenic drive towards Seaspray takes you past farms, bush and pine forests until you can eventually catch a glimpse of the sea in the distance. When you drive down the hill into the town beneath the spreading branches of the cypress trees you really know you’ve arrived.

Seaspray of today still retains the unspoilt charm of a seaside hamlet. It is slowly becoming gentrified with modern and renovated homes appearing, but there remains many tiny beach shacks and holiday homes that recall times past. The caravan park has up to date modern facilities that cater for different stays from campsites to permanent bungalows with just a short walk to the beach. The beach is pristine and never crowded, with lifesavers guarding a controlled swimming area.

Words & Photos By Ken Roberts

The Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club worked tirelessly over many years to build a new modern clubhouse with bar and restaurant attached. The building sits in an elevated position that provides a panoramic vista of the ever-changing moods of the ocean. It’s a good idea to check opening times.

The Seaspray General Store has recently had a marvellous makeover and stocks everything locals and visitors need. The popular café has coffee and an excellent takeaway menu. It has all essential items needed as well as an array of artisan products and crafts.

A wonderful feature of Seaspray is that Merriman Creek borders the town and provides a great alternative for water activities. It’s the perfect sheltered and calm location for kids, a great family spot and an ideal place for paddle boarders and people wanting to dangle a line.

Heading out of Seaspray along Shoreline Drive the last few cottages are left behind and you encounter Lake Reeve on your left. Grass covered dunes soon give way to banksias and other coastal vegetation providing habitat for local wildlife.

The Honeysuckles is a quiet haven just along the road that has slowly developed into a community of holiday and permanent homes.

The beach side soon begins to offer free campsites nestled into the scrub. They are plentiful and range in size so that large and small groups of campers are catered for. It’s easy to find a secluded campsite. It’s also very easy to find a location where you can have a spot of the beach all to yourself. Even in the height of summer a deserted beach will often await you.

The sealed road ambles along through the coastal park, a slow drive is recommended to not only enjoy the scenery but to be careful of local wildlife. Along the way signage indicates the beach entrance to the wreck of the Trinculo sailing ship from 1879. The iron remains of the hull protrude from the sands with information boards along the pathway to explain its history. It’s a great place for photography.

Driving on you will pass Glomar, Flamingo and Delray beaches and as you near Golden Beach you will begin to see appropriately named streets such as Waikiki Way, Seafoam Avenue and Marine Drive.

Golden Beach is a thriving small beachside village with a community run camp park, Bowling Green, Golf course and several commercial enterprises. The Golden Beach General Store is the hub of the community and perfect for holiday makers and day trippers. A large car park with bus parking capacity has direct access to the beach. Paradise Beach adjoins Golden Beach and both places are interesting to drive around and view the many different houses from the grandiose to the humble.

The entrance to Golden Beach from Sale is a divided road which leads to a causeway crossing Lake Reeve. The coastal vegetation soon mostly changes to grazing land. A turn off leads to another Ninety Mile Beach gem which is Loch Sport. It has direct access to the magnificent Gippsland Lakes system.

A quick trip and soon you will find yourself back at your starting point in Sale. This triangular journey can be done either way and is perfect for a day out to the beach with a fish and chip lunch at either location. A stroll along the beach at any of the multiple locations available is an ideal break from the daily grind. With sun, surf, sand, playgrounds, a wealth of scenery and options for so many activities it’s suitable for everyone.