Inverloch is an attractive seaside town and fishing port, east of Wonthaggi and about 140 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. The town is situated on the coast at the mouth of the Anderson Inlet which is also shared by Venus Bay, another coastal town on the other side of the inlet. Anderson Inlet is a shallow estuary and is a popular spot for fishing, swimming and windsurfing because of its calm waters. A jetty, a couple of boat ramps and sandy beaches stretches along the coastal areas close to Inverloch’s town centre and these places are easily accessible to the public.
Inverloch was first named Andersons Inlet after Samuel Anderson who was the first European settler in Inverloch. Andersons Inlet was later renamed Inverloch around 1889. The population in this little coastal town is about five thousand. The main shopping areas in Inverloch are along A’Beckett Street, Williams Street, Ramsey Boulevard and Reilly Street. The shops offer a range of local and imported products. There is one supermarket and a few restaurants and cafes.
On the other side of Anderson Inlet is Venus Bay which is 28 kilometres from Inverloch by road. Venus Bay lies on a narrow stretch of a peninsula. The population of Venus Bay consists of around 500 local residents. There are few shops and a post office in this quiet little town.
At the tip of the peninsula is Point Smythe, popular for its secluded beaches and walking tracks. This side of Anderson Inlet is quiet and peaceful. Point Smythe is a beautiful place with great nature walks and good fishing spots.
Cape Paterson is a small town popular for surfing and rock fishing. A twelve kilometre scenic drive from Inverloch to Cape Paterson offers spectacular views of the coast and beaches. The Bunurong Marine Park that covers the areas between Inverloch and Cape Paterson has many interesting natural rock formations including sandstone cliffs, coves and caves. Some of the natural attractions to see along the way include Eagles Nest, The Caves, Flat Rocks, Twin Reefs and Shack Bay. Eagles Nest has a large rock formation resembling the top half of Australia on the map. There are large rockpools at the Flat Rocks beach.
The Cape Paterson Claw, was discovered in Eagles Nest in 1903 by William Ferguson. It was Australia’s first dinosaur bone discovery.
The Inverloch Shell Museum is a great place to bring the kids during the school holidays. Located near the heart of the town centre, the shell museum has an impressive collection of shells, rocks, dinosaur bones and Aboriginal artefacts. The Bunurong Environment Centre promotes conservation and awareness of environmental issues. There is a small gift shop within the museum building with interesting souvenirs and environmental friendly products.
Just a few minutes from the town centre is a holiday resort owned by RACV, boastful of its eco-friendly concept. The resort promotes sustainable living by harnessing solar energy and using collected rainwater supply within the property. Guests staying at the resort are provided with information on how to be environmental friendly and help improve sustainability.
As part of the conservation program, the areas surrounding the resort has hundreds of native plants and the wetlands provide a natural habitat for the native birds and aquatic wildlife. Guests at the resort can enjoy fantastic ocean views from the dining hall and selected accommodation rooms. There are walking trails and cycling paths within the resort property.
The Inverloch farmers’ market runs on the third Sunday of every month at The Glade, from 8am to 1pm. Local producers and farmers meet here to sell their fresh produce and locally made food products. A good selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, wines and other produce are available from different stalls.
| Inverloch | Cape Paterson | Venus Bay |
|---|---|---|
| The Caves | Eagles Nest | Anderson Inlet |
| Flat Rocks | Shack Bay | Point Smythe |
| Twin Reefs | Screw Creek Walk | Bunurong Marine Park |
© 2015 lady rain
About the author
Lady Rain lives in Australia and enjoys writing about travels, paper quilling crafts and historical events.
