Visit South Gippsland's Ports For Maritime History And Fine Fishing

The Age

Saturday May 10, 2003

Peter Barrett

Take a drive this weekend down the South Gippsland Highway and experience what the remote coastal villages of Port Welshpool and Port Albert have to offer.

On the way you will pass the striking vista of wind turbines in action at the Toora Wind Farm, which is holding an open day today from 9am to 3pm. The day includes jazz music, a brass band and highway markets featuring arts, crafts and local produce.

Head on to Port Welshpool and you will find a place that has built a reputation for its good fishing. Gummy shark, whiting, rock flathead and trevally can be caught off its remarkably long jetty, which stretches almost two kilometres into the blue waters east of Wilsons Promontory.

The town provides access to the Prom by sailboat or launch, and also features a rare variety of Asian deer that has been introduced to the state game reserve of Snake Island, located directly off the coast from the town. If you prefer to hunt with your wallet, just 30 kilometres further down the road the fish are already caught and cooked at the Port Albert fish and chip shop, which is located on the town's jetty.

Both villages have excellent maritime museums that provide fascinating insights into the seafaring heritage of the area, which thrived on shipping and fishing in the 1850s and '60s. Nowadays dairy, wool and tourism have taken over as the region's main industries, with the recent arrival of wind power gathering strength.

On the way back be sure to stop off at Agnes Falls, located nine kilometres north-west of Welshpool in the Agnes Falls Reserve. The river drops 60 metres into the gorge, making it one of Victoria's highest waterfalls. There are plenty of great walking tracks and picnic spots in the area too.

GETTING THERE

Take the South Gippsland Highway and stop off at Toora for a closer look at wind power at the Toora Wind Farm Open Day, from 9am to 3pm. Phone 5686 2311 for more information.

The drive to Port Welshpool takes about two hours and Port Albert is about 30 kilometres further east.

For general information about the area and accommodation suggestions phone the Prom Country Information Centre on 1800 630 704 or visit its website, www.promcountrytourism.com.au.

© 2003 The Age

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