The coastline is stunning near Inverloch. PIC: Tourism Victoria
The tourist-friendly town of Inverloch in Victoria’s stunning Gippsland region has pretty much everything a relaxation-minded grey nomad could wish for from a seaside resort.
With stunning beaches, superb fishing, great bushwalks, lovely drives, and plenty of unique points of interest, this is a destination that demands attention. Sitting at the mouth of Anderson Inlet – a protected bay where the Tarwin River enters the Bass Strait – Inverloch is 140 kilometres or so south-east of Melbourne. With a population of just 5,000, the town is refreshingly unspoilt although it has good amenities, including a supermarket and some excellent caravan parks.
Inverloch was established in the late 19th century as a port from which coal mined at nearby Wonthaggi was shipped to Melbourne. Today, the State Coal Mine, a 10-minute drive from Inverloch, offers visitors a chance to go underground to discover what life working in a coal mine was like in the 1900s. Another must-see attraction is the Bunurong Environment Centre which hosts a staggering collection of 6000 shells from waters around the globe, and a dinosaur display.
But it is nature that is the star here. Anderson Inlet creates an almost enclosed bay where the shallow turquoise waters lap onto a protected beach. At low tide, the mudflats attract birdlife including migratory waders, and visitors can stroll around the western headland to the surfing beaches. Screw Creek Nature Walk is a great way to explore the marshlands. The trail weaves through banksia forest to Screw Creek and past sand flats and mangroves.
There are also foreshore reserves to enjoy, an attractive Esplanade, a jetty, and boat ramps. Those keen to throw in a line may be rewarded with a myriad of different fish. The coastline here is stunning and the 14-kilometre scenic Bunurong Coastal Drive from Inverloch to Cape Paterson, which has been described as a ‘mini Great Ocean Road’, is a great way to discover it.
There are spectacular views and a smorgasbord of sandy coves, rugged sandstone cliffs and striking rock formations. It’s certainly worth constant stops to explore beaches and rock pools such as Eagles Nest, Twin Reefs, Shack Bay, The Caves, and Flat Rocks.
Australia’s first dinosaur bone, the Cape Paterson Claw, was discovered at Eagles Nest beach at what is now Bunurong Marine Park in 1903. Since then, many thousands of fossil bones and teeth have been recovered nearby, and this palaeontologist’s paradise attracts fossil hunters from far and wide.
As mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of great places to stay. The Inverloch Foreshore Camping Reserve is situated along the sand dunes of Anderson Inlet, while the Cape Paterson Caravan Park sits on the foreshore reserve at Cape Paterson. Many travellers also enjoy the superb facilities offered at the award-winning RACV Inverloch Resort, and its caravan park which boasts 32 spacious sites surrounded by natural bushland.
