Top Things to do in Loch Sport
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What to do and see in Loch Sport, Victoria: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Loch Sport, Australia including The Lakes National Park, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Stockyard Hill Surf Beach, Lions Park, 90 Mile Coffee.
1. The Lakes National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve. The park includes Sperm Whale Head peninsula and Rotamah and Little Rotamah islands. Rotamah Island, accessible only by boat, is a bushland delight. Surrounded by Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve to the north and the dunes of the Ninety Mile Beach to the south, the island has clearly defined tracks offering exceptional views and bird watching opportunities. Lake Reeve is an important feeding and roosting habitat for waterfowl, and is one of Victoria’s most important areas for wading birds. A short walk will lead you from the Lookout Tower carpark down through a range of habitats to the shores of Lake Reeve.
Reviewed By urbandrifter - Melbourne, Australia
From Lima to Loch Sport As I get older, time goes faster and that became clear on a warm summer day as I explored a stunning part of my home state of Victoria. I reminisced how 12 months ago I was in the bowels of the catacombs in Lima and now in the seaside rural community of Loch Sport. As someone who has travelled across the globe, I know that many of the best places are in fact, on our back door and although these two destinations are thousands of kilometres apart, each are unique for different reasons. Located 300kms east of Melbourne, the flat and somewhat straight road to Loch Sport from Sale is flanked by tea tree and banksias. At dawn or dusk the kangaroos, wallabies and even wild hog deer flank the way into town. Beyond the township at the most easterly point, I journeyed to the heritage listed, Lakes National Park and in particular Point Wilson which is a mere 16kms from the park entrance. This also encompasses Sperm Whale Head Peninsula which I could only appreciate how it was named after viewing an aerial map. The traditional owners Gunai/Jurnai people who still have a strong connection with area as well as other parks and reserves in this region jointly management the Park in conjunction with the State Government. Well signposted, the dirt road with few corrugations in early summer, meandered to the Point with glimpses of the lake teasing me along the way. The road is fringed with large coastal and silver banksia, tea-trees, manna gums, peppermint gums, wattle and heath. I’m sure if I’d visited a few months earlier during spring when the wildflowers are at their best, the array of colour would’ve been stunning and may have even spied some of the well-known native orchids. At the head of the point where Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve join is a sweet little picnic site known as Point Wilson Day Visitor Area with the Point Wilson Jetty nearby. Surrounded by salt water, the opportunity to fish and potentially catch bream, flathead, tailor, whiting, perch, eels and much more would be enticing to the most amateur angler. From this vantage point I could see Paynesville, Raymond Island and the Banksia Peninsula along with expansive views across the entire lakes region. No doubt during busy periods the waterways would be abundant with jet skis, boats and sailing. I took to the water for a swim with an audience of black swans, pelicans, cormorants and seagulls watching me cautiously. The day shelter is located on the original Banksia Homestead site where in 1903, Frederick and Sarah Barton moved with their family to farm the area with cattle, sheep and goats. Passed down through the generations, eventually the property was sold to the then National Parks Authority in 1958. The day shelter has two barbeques, fresh water, seating and toilets nearby. Although camping isn’t allowed here, it’s well worth a day visit whether by car, boat or even bike. It’s known that the eastern grey kangaroos like to frequent the grassy lawn but on this day, there were none. However, I saw plenty in other areas of the park including wallabies, an echidna and an emu. Note: please don’t feed the wildlife. Over time I’ve become something of a ‘twitcher’ finding birdwatching and identifying enjoyable. Here in the park there are over 190 different species with my first sighting being five yellow tailed black cockatoos. A nature trail and lookout tower were also helpful to spot a variety of other birds who feed and roost on Lake Reeve. Even in Loch Sport I would see black swans, cormorants, pelicans, seagulls, eastern spinebills, blue wrens, wattlebirds, magpies, rainbow lorikeets, eastern rosellas, crimson rosellas, kookaburras, currawongs, ravens and the ever bossy king parrot. In summer the peninsula is popular with day visitors and holidaymakers. The Emu Bight campground attracts dedicated campers as facilities are basic. Permits to camp are essential and bookings can be made through the Parks office on 131963. Certainly the mobile network is limited which is the perfect opportunity for people to disconnect from technology and reconnect with family, friends and nature. There are plenty of walking tracks and although I wandered only a few, they each had something special to offer. There is a 4wd only track and could easily gauge that without a 4wd you’d be in strife quickly. Note: there are seasonal road closures along these tracks from June to November. To finish off the day, I drove back to Loch Sport via the surf beach only a few kilometres from the park entrance. Crossing the causeway along a straight stretch of road, is the Stockyard Hill carpark. Down a typical beach track, the 90 mile beach opened up in front of me, its sheer vastness took my breath away. Apart from myself, there was a lone couple fishing from the shore with the obligatory deck chair and esky nearby. With the potential of catching salmon, gummy shark, flathead, snapper and more, I can see the attraction. On this clear day, I could spot one of the oil /gas platforms named Seahorse that is around 14kms from the shoreline. Later that night, I came back to see the twinkling lights of other platforms offshore. Don’t be fooled by the stunning blue water and consistent surf sets. It can be treacherous with plenty of rips and undertows. Note: this is an unpatrolled beach. Later that day, as I watched a few dolphins gamboling on Lake Victoria, I pondered where I would be at the end of 2019. Overseas, interstate or somewhere local. Whether it’s Lisbon or the Little Desert – it doesn’t really matter as long as we keep exploring.
2. Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park adjoins an extensive lake system separated from the Tasman Sea by the sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach. Swim, kayak, boat, or fish along the scenic expanses of sheltered water. Among the tranquil campgrounds, choose from 90 Mile Beach, Bunga Arm or Paradise Beach. Set sail on the Gippsland Lakes. Hire a yacht, boat, canoe or kayak, bring your own or join a tour. 90 Mile Beach is well known for its surf fishing, while the calm waters of Gippsland Lakes are great for catching salmon, tailor, whiting, flathead and bream. Pitch a tent along Shoreline Drive or Paradise Beach and hear the roar of the ocean in the distance. Or opt for the more remote fee based camping at Bunga Arm, only accessible by boat.
Reviewed By thedovelqueen - Melbourne, Australia
Lots of choices of walks and we chose a 6km one. Very nice open paths and mainly flat ground. We then had a picnic at the surf beach lookout. Would recommend.
3. Stockyard Hill Surf Beach
4. Lions Park
5. 90 Mile Coffee
Hi my name is Hayley, as a Barista I was finding it difficult to get a good coffee on my travels. So I created, 90 Mile Coffee, named after our home town area, on the "90 Mile Beach" in Gippsland Victoria. As the proud Owner/Operator, my Coffee Van was designed and fitted out by myself and partner to cater for other travellers in our great Country. 90 Mile Coffee serves you the best coffee you will have out of the back of a Holden Combo Van. You will not be disappointed !!
