Wye River

Our accommodation at Big 4 Wye River was perfectly located across the road from the beach. A comfy 2 br cabin at the rear of the park, surrounded by trees and a huge jumping pillow across the road.

The kids were rapt to have a bounce and  to let out some energy after the car ride.

A lovely little creek ran through the middle of the park, and a couple of duck parents and their 10 bubbas were taking a stroll as the same time as us. 

A cockatoo and a kookaburra also dropped by for a mid afternoon drink. 

An echidna waddled around the property.

 

With so much going on at the park, we had no reason to go anywhere else, but figured we should go for a walk.

 

The beach stretched away from the mouth of the Wye River, relics of old train lines and jetties, rocks for clambering, ocean treasures washed ashore.

Surfers chased waves; dogs chased balls; we chased our hats that blew off in the breeze.

 

On the hunter for dinner that evening, a local gardener recommended the pub.

 

A great meal to end the day. Wye River was making us feel very welcomed. We planned our adventures for the following day and looked forward to exploring this lovely corner of the Surf Coast.
 

Point Lonsdale Light House

A short morning walk from our accommodation at the Guest House, took us over to the windswept beach. 

 

We spent ages clambering over rocks, admiring the green shag pile carpet algae and looking for critters in rock pools.

 

From the jetty, we watched ships pass through the narrow gap known as The Rip, between Queenscliff and Point Nepean across the water. 

 

A popular fishing spot, rods bent as something below the surface pulled on the lines. 

 

 

The lighthouse is usually open for tours on Sundays, but not this day, so we wandered around the outside and watched as a gyrocopter flew by.

Windy, wild and wonderful - a great place to spend a few hours, or you can walk all the way along the beach to Queenscliff at low tide. 

https://maritimequeenscliffe.org.au/tours/

Point Lonsdale Guest House

Point Lonsdale Guest House, a lovely old weatherboard building across the road from the Light House, was the perfect accommodation for our overnight beach getaway. I'd come across it on a booking site and couldn't resist the urge to stay someplace different to the usual cabins and motel rooms we normally book.

The former lighthouse keeper’s residence became a guest house in 1902 and has been lovingly restored to keep its original feel. 

We stayed in the rear building, which I think was built in the 1980s and has the quirky feel of a ship interior. 

A welcome gift on the bedside table was a lovely surprise. 

Our adjoining rooms shared an in-between bathroom and views over the verandah to the tennis court, pool and communal kitchen/games room.

Too cold to swim, we did play tennis and table tennis during our stay. 

We didn't use the kitchen facilities, but did grab some breakfast items from the IGA down the road, made a coffee in our room and had a breakfast of cereal, juice and muffins on our balcony, before taking a walk along the beach. 

Point Lonsdale Guest House

Warringine Wetlands, Hastings

Hastings Marina is the starting point for this walk, the historic boat shed and colourful fishing boats are a nice sight to begin your visit. 

The walk starts near Herring St, following the  Westernport Bay Trail, as it crosses Mullet St and runs adjacent to Salmon St. 

There’s something fishy going on here….

 

 

The track changes name to Bittern Coastal Wetlands Walk as the wooden boardwalk snakes its way across the wetlands, home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and reptiles.

The 4km walk takes you all the way to Jacks Beach and returns the same way, via the 4 sections of the area; wetlands, woodlands, coastal and creek. 

Sunshine and fresh salty air – the perfect accompaniment for this walk.

https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Activities/Parks-Reserves/Parks-Recreation/Warringine-Park