The Port of Sale

Sale Vic 3850 (Pop 13 100)

Pic: by Fir0002

Sale is a major East Gippsland service and industrial centre situated on the Thomson River 211 km s-e of Melbourne. First settled in 1840s by pastoralists, nearby gold finds (1851) helped establish the settlement. Offshore oil discoveries (1965) resulted in a boom growth period which together with an aviation facility, RAAF military base, agriculture, dairying and fruit growing all contribute to the area’s thriving economy. Marley Pt Overnight Yacht Race (Mar), Sale Music Festival (June), Sale Show (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Sale Historical Museum (Foster St) good historical displays and memorabilia.  Gippsland Art Gallery (Foster St) excellent variety of mostly local artworks and changing exhibitions. Historic Sale includes Powder Magazine (1864), Criterion Hotel (1865), Victoria Hall (1879), St Paul’s Cathedral & Rectory (1885), Our Lady of Sion Convent (1892). Sale Swing Bridge (5 km south).  Lakes Guthridge & Guyatt (Foster St) Both lake shores have recreational parks, a fauna park, swimming pool and lovely picnic areas. Sale Common & Wildlife Refuge (s-e) freshwater marsh with large numbers of waterbirds, mammals and a 400 m boardwalk. RAAF Base (Raglan St) formerly used to train WWII bomber pilots and today home to the aerobatic team, the Roulettes.

Nearby:
Gippsland Lakes incorporates the Lakes NP, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Ninety Mile Beach and lakes Wellington, King and Victoria as the main bodies of water covering 320 km of shoreline and 340 sq km. They form the centrepiece of a wetlands and flat coastal plains landscape with excellent wetland fauna and countless bird species. There are also many Aboriginal archaeological sites visible.  Marlay Point (24 km east) popular water activities destination and starting point for the world’s longest (80 km) inland yacht race held each March. Ninety Mile Beach (from Port Albert to Lakes Entrance)  comprising Woodside, Seaspray, Golden Beach and Loch Sport all popular holiday villages with excellent surfing, fishing and camping and prolific birdlife. The Lakes National Park (60 km east) 2 390 ha park of woodlands, coastal heath, wildflowers, birdlife (over 190 species) and varied fauna (kangaroos, possums, koalas, bandicoots and wombats). Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands are also part of the park and accessible by footbridges. Some excellent bushwalks and camping spots. The Bataluk Cultural Trail (from Sale to Cape Conran) follows the cultural and trading history of pre colonial days and Aboriginal history taking in sacred sites, shell middens and cultural centres.

Accommodation:
Sale has about 10 motels, 5 hotels, 2 B&Bs and 2 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Princes Hwy. Tel (03) 5144 1108 or 1800 677 520.