Look no further than VENUS BAY…
We very nearly bought a holiday house there a few years ago, before deciding on a closer location on the Mornington Peninsula, and being the unadventurous types, opting for a town on mains drainage! However, for many, the pristine surf beaches make it worth going the extra mile. Venus Bay is a two-hour drive, being 170 km South East of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Having said that, this sleepy pretty town with a winter population of around 500, can surge into the thousands in January. Word has got out amongst anglers, surfers and families about what a great holiday can be had here…
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| Number One beach – Venus Bay |
There are no flash shops here – in fact in agreement with our friend above, there is not much here at all, which is definitely part of the charm. Indeed, the nearest supermarket is 5 km away in Tarwin Lower.
Although, I must give a special shout out to the lovely gift shop hidden in the Venus Bay Caravan Park on the main drag. A couple of years ago I had bought some presents (jewellery, scarves, and general beachy gifts), all very reasonably priced. So I headed straight there on this visit and happily find the same helpful owner, and the shop still as attractive as I remembered!
Did I tell you there is even WIFI Internet at the Venus Bay Caravan Park?!
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| Great choice of superb surf beaches in an unspoilt setting |
Erm, how did I get onto shopping, we are here for the beach…?! There are no less than five surf beaches to choose from, which have the rather uninspiring names of Beach 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. But this is typical of Venus Bay, this place is not out to impress. Indeed, if you are in need of being impressed, the locals would say ‘go elsewhere!’
However, as you will be holidaying you will be pleased to know the Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club located at the No. 1 Beach. This is the only patrolled beach, although during the busy summer period surf patrols regularly make their way up and down the beaches to just beyond No. 5 beach. The beach is exposed with strong rips and they call it ‘high energy’ which means dangerous, swim between the flags!
In keeping with the Beach 1, 2 etc. The town is split into three estates. The First Estate is where you’ll find the few shops, situated on Jupiter Boulevard at the Centre Road junction. Here you can grab a decent coffee at the General Store, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the food outlets, grab some more WiFi at the Caravan Park and check out a number of speciality shops.
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| Tarwin Lower – Venus Bay |
It is appealing for families to have the option of the calm waters for swimming and fishing at Anderson Inlet, the state’s longest sand spit which is rather like a large lake and ideal for boating and fishing. This large body of water extends all the way from Inverloch to the mouth of the Tarwin River at the small township of Tarwin Lower.
On arrival, your host will gently remind you, that water is from a tank and to be used sparingly. The locals reckon mains drainage is at least 30 years off. If they have their way it will stay like this. They know as soon as water, sewerage and weekly rubbish collections appear, so will more people!
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| Thanks to Brin Nadler for the Easter Bunny photo! |
Arriving on a Friday night there is no better place to head than Cavity in the main street (no need to give you the address, you can’t miss it!) Here we found Friday Paella, with a glass of bubbly was a cracking way to start the weekend. Us Townie’s were impressed!!! The Friday night unwind here is a great mix of locals, holiday homeowners and tourists just passing through. Everyone is welcome and there is a nice camaraderie and the locals are really friendly.
Venus Bay is central to many natural attractions in the South Gippsland area, including Wilsons Promontory National Park, (We will be heading there tomorrow for W is for you guessed it Wilsons Prom!) which is just under an hour’s drive east. The coastline from Venus Bay to Cape Liptrap offers visitors the chance to see an old lighthouse and native Australian plants and wildlife. If you like bushwalking you’ll be busy!
A favourite activity for holidaymakers is scenic and easy bike ride (or walk) between the two towns of Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower that follows the banks of the Tarwin River on a gently undulating shared pathway.
Distance: 5km one way
Track: Generally smooth dirt or gravel track
Grade: Level 1 – No experience required, suitable for beginners and children
Start: Long Table, Tarwin Lower
Finish: Town centre, Venus Bay
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| Sunset – Beach Number 1 – Venus Bay |
PS: * Wander Victoria is an initiative of our Victorian State Government to encourage us to explore the charms of regional Victoria. You can find out more on my previous post here
