Metung, VICTORIA
Airing Date: Jan 12th, 2004
This long narrow strip of coastal sand dunes, backed by swamp lands and lagoons, stretches from Seaspray all the way to Lakes Entrance. It's a great spot for surf-fishing but can be dangerous for swimming. Many people prefer just to stroll down the seemingly endless beach, tasting the sea salt air and feeling the sting of ocean spray along the way.
The main road along Ninety Mile Beach is generally separated from the ocean by wide sand dunes. If you're looking at driving to various parts of the beach, the main access roads are from Sale to Seaspray or Letts Beach. Townships along this stretch are small and only offer a few facilities, so you can be assured you won't be fighting for a patch of sand on this beach.
Gippsland Lakes has the biggest inland waterway system in the Southern Hemisphere. A great way to cruise the lakes is on board a historic boat called Spray. This charming sail boat cruises the beautiful lakes and visits The Ninety Mile Beach and Carpenter Town along the way.
The four and a half hour picnic cruise costs $32 for adults and $10 for kids and departs from Metung, a charming little village on the shores of Lake King. Metung is also an excellent spot for all sorts of water-based activities, and aside from day cruises, the town offers water-skiing, fishing and boat hire for longer stays on the Lakes.
Aside from boats, Metung is also home to pelican feeding. Eric Octigen from The Metung Hotel is the town's official pelican feeder and you can join him in his feeding frenzy outside the pub every day at noon. This tradition is 20 years old, so the pelicans are very used to their free feed - and they're not shy in making sure they get their fair share!
The facts
Qantas flies to Melbourne from around Australia and return prices from Brisbane start at $313 and $465 from Perth.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
The Moorings at Metung is the only resort right on the water and rooms start from $120. Two bedroom waterfront apartments start from $230 a night.
The Moorings at Metung
Tel: 03 5156 2750
Spray Cruises
Tel: 0428 516 055
