Nelson - Victoria

Population - 350

Nelson is small fishing and holiday town located on the Glenelg River, just 4 kilometres east of the state border with South Australia and around 70 kilometres north-west of Portland. With a population around 350, this quiet town centre includes a hotel, general store, roadhouse and a visitor information centre. Accommodation includes a couple of motels, guesthouses, b and b's and caravan parks. The river flows through the town, with the town centre on the eastern side, and there are scenic parks, jetties and boat ramps along the river banks. A number of cruise operators offer informative trips along the Glenelg River for visitors, and the journey through the 15 kilometre limestone river gorge, with cliffs up to 50 metres high rising on both sides of the river, is well worth experiencing. South of town, the Glenelg River empties into the estuary known as Oxbow Lake, which then has an outlet into the Southern Ocean. There are sandy beaches along the lake shore and near the river mouth which offer sheltered swimming. Swimming is not advised at the ocean beach due to dangerous undertows.

The Kerryp-Tjmara Aboriginal people occupied the land between the Glenelg River and Hamilton, and called the river Nangula. They were a strong tribal group that occupied the land for thousands of years. Land west of the river is thought to have belonged to the Boandik people. Aboriginal corroborees were witnessed in the area in the early days of settlement, but most of the tribal people had disappeared by 1878.

The earliest recorded explorer in the area were Lieutenant James Grant and his ship, “The Lady Nelson”, that surveyed much of the southern coastline in 1802. Major Thomas Mitchell and his party were the first Europeans to navigate the river, which Mitchell named after Baron Glenelg who was the Colonial Secretary in the House of Commons in England, in August 1836. The Nelson area was left unselected by the larger graziers because of its inaccessibility, the impassable river, and relatively poor soil. In 1848 a punt service was established by Henry Kellett to carry people across the river near todays townsite, and a summerhouse was built by Mr Leake, this is now the Nelson Hotel. In January 1852 the settlement by the ferry was surveyed by Lindsay Clarke and offically named Nelson to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Lady Nelson surveying along the coast. By 1853 a number of smaller landowners had taken up land and were running sheep in the district, one of these was John McIntyre. Portland was the hub and harbour of the district and since the Nelson River mouth was not navigable by even small boats, and offered little protection, the town developed slowly. A police station and gaol were built in 1882, the site of which has now had a guesthouse built on it. In 1883 Mr Brown, who then owned the punt, built the town’s first licensed hotel. Ease of crossing the river finally came in 1893 when the first wooden bridge was built, it was later replaced by the steel bridge in 1963. These days Nelson is a quiet and friendly town, with enough ammenities to be self sufficient, and is an ideal location to while away a few days holidaying.

Being 433 kilometres west of Melbourne and 467 kilometres from Adelaide makes Nelson almost a halfway point between these capital cities. Nelson is an ideal central base from which to explore numerous attractions in the region. There is the Lower Glenelg National Park which features the Princess Margaret Rose Caves and 27,300 hectares of bushland with campsites, the river and plenty of bushwalking opportunities. Along the coast is the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, with the largest sandunes in Victoria and 50 kilometres of ocean beach. Just over the border 30 kilometres away is the historical South Australian town of Port MacDonnell, and the large South Australian regional city of Mount Gambier is only 35 kilometres away, with its stunning Blue Lake.

The Glenelg River is Victoria's longest estuarine river, starting in the mountainous Grampians and winding 470km through plains, forests and gorges to the sea at Nelson. Its gentle, placid waters make it ideal for canoeing and fishing, and there are ten camp grounds especially set up for access only by walkers and canoeists. Of these only Moleside, Pines and Dartmoor
Possibly the most spectacular part of the river is the Glenelg River Gorge, where the water has eroded through the surrounding limestone rock over millions of years leaving a 15km long gorge which in places is up to 50m deep. A short stretch of about three and a half kilometres of the Glenelg River Gorge arches briefly into South Australia and includes the town of Donovan, or more rightfully known as Donovan's Landing. Donovan's is a popular fishing and water skiing location with interesting shacks at the base of the cliffs, many of which are actually houseboats. While the river is tidal with brackish water extending 50 kilometres up stream, fresh water is also abundant. Freshwater springs feed into the Glenelg in several places.

Between Nelson and Donovan's Landing there are two water skiing and power-boating zones called Taylor's Straight and Sandy Waterholes. These have transit channels that are marked by signs and buoys to provide passage for slower boats.

National Parks

The two national parks surrounding the mostly rural setting of Nelson are the Lower Glenelg National Park to the north and east, and to the south and east along the coast is the Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

The Lower Glenelg National Park covers 27,300 hectares and was established to protect the surrounds of the Lower Glenelg River. The park is home to large amounts of eucalyptus woodland known as mallee and its resident wildlife. There are over 700 plant species in forest, swamp, river, dune and cliff habitats in the park, including 50 orchid species. Local fauna includes platypus, echidnas, koalas, kangaroos, water rats, wallabies, possums, potoroos, gliders and a colony of wombats which were once plentiful in south-western Victoria.

The 8590 hectares of rugged wilderness in the Discovery Bay Coastal Park can be found on the ocean side of Nelson, stretching east towards Portland and protects the environment and biodiversity of this windswept coastline. The park includes the 50 kilometre long beach and some of the largest sand dunes in Victoria, as well as Aboriginal middens and coastal lakes. Fauna includes grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and over 140 bird species, while coastal, swamp and heath vegetation is prolific. The park is accessed off the Nelson-Portland Road or via the Great South Walk. Camping is available at Swan Lake and Lake Monibeong, and there are boat-launching ramps in the park and surf fishing opportunities.

Discovery Bay was named by Lieutenant Grant in 1802 during his voyage along the south-western coast of what is now Victoria. The first Europeans to traverse the Discovery Bay area were Stephen and Edward Henty who set out west from Merino Downs near Portland in June 1839 and discovered Mount Gambier in South Australia. The Henty brothers were entrepreneur farmers and whalers and established the state's first permanent white settlement in 1834 near Portland. During the mid to late 1800s there were 3 sailing schooners wrecked along the Discovery Bay coast. Many lives were lost from two of these wrecks during the 1860s.

Other outstanding features of Discovery Bay Coastal Park at the Cape Bridgewater end include a seal colony, blowholes, the "petrified forest" and the highest coastal cliffs in Victoria which are 130 metres high. The Bridgewater Lakes, 16 km west of Portland, are popular for picnics, swimming, boating, water skiing and surf-fishing.

Things To Do Around Nelson

• Swimming - Being around the water is enticing to take a plunge. Swimming at the ocean beach is not advisable, the surf is often very rough and there are dangerous undertows. Swimming in the river is popular, check where You are going thoroughly as there are many places that are shallow and muddy with snags near the banks so don’t dive unless you check the depth. There are many deep spots in the river also, so take care with weaker swimmers. The best area for a swim is at the river mouth in one of the side channels.
• Fishing - The Glenelg River is excellent for fishing, with many accessible places to fish, from the banks or from a boat. The Glenelg estuary provides salt water habitat far upstream for a wide range of fish, including mulloway, bream, mullet, salmon trout and estuary perch, making it one of Australia's most popular fishing destinations. The main species of fish caught in the Glenelg River include, Bream, Mulloway, Estuary Perch and Mullett.
  You will need a fishing license in Victorian waters, these are available from the Roadhouse. A licence is not needed in the South Australian section of the river or on the beach. Surf fishing from the beach is very popular. You can take your four wheel drive on the beach in South Australia from Piccaninnie Ponds in the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, but not in Victoria in the Discovery Bay Coastal Park where You can park behind the dunes and walk onto the beach. The Glenelg River Fishing Competition is held each January.
• Bush Walking - there are numerous walking trails around Nelson, giving views of the river and the river mouth, or through the local bushland.
  • There is a walks booklet available at the Nelson Visitor Centre highlighting the local loop walks including, Livingstone Island Nature Walk, Gorge Walk, Lake Monibeong Loop & Sapling Creek Loop.
  • Livingstone Island Nature Walk - A great walk that wanders around the Glenelg River Estuary Beach, and starts and begins at the estuary beach car park 1 km from the town centre. The path is a wide grass track, with a board walk across the salt marshes, suitable for walking and running and even for pram walkers, although there are a few steps to access the path. There is a viewing platform at the north-end of the track that offers wonderful views of the Glenelg River, the estuary mouth and the Southern Ocean. Around the salt marshes you may see Striped and Spotted Marsh Frogs, and is an excellent spot for bird watching where You can spot many birds of the estuary including swans, pelicans, spoonbill, ducks and herons as well as many types of water birds. A bird hide off the track is a great opportunity to see a large variety of the birdlife on Livingstone Island, the island is also home to many kangaroos. Flora found on the island include Moonah trees, Coast Wattle, Coast Beard-Heath, and the Beaded Glasswort.
  • Gorge Walk - This is part of the Great South West Walk just to the north of Nelson. It follows the eastern cliffs of the Glenelg River Gorge.
  • Lake Monibeong Loop - is a 15 kilometres long loop made up of two options of the Great Southwest walk and is classified as a moderate level walk. It leaves from Lake Monibeong Campground and follows the back of the dunes before returning along the beach.
  • There is also the Great South West Walk for serious bush walkers. A 250 kilometre walking track forming a giant loop between Portland and Nelson, following the coast along the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, turning inland along the Glenelg River, and through farmland and native forest. The walk can be done in sections, and has several local access points at Simpsons Landing Road, River Road, and Beach Road. Through the Lower Glenelg National Park the track winds alongside the river and then up along the rim of the towering gorge, turning away from the gorge for brief stretches but always returning to the edge for the most spectacular lookouts imaginable. In the Discovery Bay Costal Park the track mainly follows the beach, with optional detours past Lake Monibeong and to Mt Richmond, along Descartes Bay and around Cape Bridgewater, past "The Springs", the Petrified Forest, the seal colony, Bridgwater Bay, Cape Nelson, Point Danger and back to Portland. Sections are accessible by car to allow shorter day or weekend walks. The best times are from October to December or late March to early June. Parks Victoria offices have a detailed brochure available. Every section has camping spots available and canoeing the river section is also an option.Visit www.greatsouthwestwalk.com for even more details.
  • There are also great lengths of unspoiled beaches to walk.
  • Just across the border in South Australia is the climb up Mount Schank for a superb 360 degree view to Mount Gambier and the sea from the summit of this ancient extinct volcano.
  • Loop walks are popular at Battersbys and Pritchards camps and picnic grounds in the Lower Glenelg National Park.
• Boating and canoeing are both very popular pastimes at Nelson and along the Lower Glenelg River. Either bring Your own boat or canoe or they can be hired from local the Boat and Canoe hire businesses. Hire boats need to be booked early during peak holiday times. There is a water ski zone at the Northern end of the town with an associated ramp, trailer parking area and beach.
• Canoeing between Dartmoor and Nelson can be combined with camping at any of the several available camp spots in the Lower Glenelg National Park while taking a leisurely trip down the river. It is important that you choose and book your campsites with Parks Victoria before You begin paddling. There are many places to access the river, allowing different possibilities for the length of the trip.
  Possibly the best access point is Pines Landing, avoiding the troublesome snags that abound on the upper part of the river towards Dartmoor. From the Pines Landing we would recommend paddling upstream to the northern boundary of the park as this is a very beautiful section and often is the best chance of seeing Azure Kingfishers.
  There are also many nice walks away from the river, usually to the south side. An excellent river map is supplied by the Parks service and this contains much of the information about what to see and where you can camp. Permits are required to camp and they do cost, it is best to book early in the holiday period as it can get very busy.
• The World Heritage Listed Picanninnie Ponds is only 10 Minutes drive away in South Australia. The short walk along the creek that flows from the sinkhole takes You to the beach springs and the floating rock on the coast. Snorkelling and diving are only allowed with a permit, which can be obtained in Mount Gambier. Nearby Ewens Pond, located off the Port MacDonnell Road, can be snorkelled without a permit. Sea diving is popular at Port MacDonnell, 30 kms into South Australia.
• Cycling is a very good way to see the Nelson area. There are a great number of track possibilities to see the town and in the National Park for bike riding.
• The Princess Margaret Rose Cave is another excellent place to visit while in the area. It is about a 25 minute drive from Nelson via Donovans, or You can take a river cruise or hire a boat. For canoeists, a stop at the cave is a great opportunity to stretch Your legs and get away from the river for a short while. The cave is open daily, with several guided tours available. It is about a 20 minute walk from the river landing up quite a few steps, which after a day or two on the river can seem a lot harder than it normally would. Tours depart regularly from the interpretive centre and kiosk, and visitors can examine actively growing stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and other spectacular limestone formations in the cave.
  Most limestone caves are formed by water seeping down through cracks and faultlines in the limestone, dissolving the rock and creating fissures and tunnels. The Princess Margaret Rose Caves were created about 800 000 years ago by seepage from the river, which was then 15 m above its present height, working its way along a faultline for 300m. The water scalloped the walls of the cave and wore a reasonably level floor. Rainwater, as it seeps from the present land surface into this river water formed fissure, acts as a weak acid to dissolve the limestone, producing a solution of calcium bicarbonate. When this reaches the air of the cave, carbon dioxide is released and calcium carbonate is deposited in the form of calcite crystals. These crystals make up the diverse and spectacular formations of the cave. The different colours are caused by minerals washed down by rainwater from overlying soil..
  Mr S. McEachern and Mr J. Hutchesson and his son Alan, first explored the cave in 1936 and named it after Princess Margaret. They developed the cave as a tourist attraction with '"Bunny" Hutchesson acting as the first permanent guide, conducting tours from 4th January 1941. Since 1980, the cave has been part of the Lower Glenelg National Park.
• Other accessible caves in South Australia's South East area are the Tantanoola and Naracoorte caves.
• The Inkpot is a natural waterhole that can be accessed via Winnap Road. Named because of its almost black water, this a lovely place for a picnic. In Spring the boronia flowering on the edge of the waterhole is very beautiful and contrasts superbly with the dark water.
• Lake Monibeong and Nobles Rocks are both accessible through pine forests from the Portland Road. Check state of access roads at the Information Centre before you visit. Nobles Rocks is a great place for surf fishing and gathering pipis when tides are correct.

Accommodation

There are several forms of accommodation available at Nelson and in the surrounding area. There are the caravan parks at Nelson and at Pritchards Landing. There are several Guesthouses and Bed and Breakfasts in the area, and a couple of motels and the hotel.
Contact the Nelson Tourist Information Centre
Leake St, Nelson.
Phone (08) 8738 4051 (International Code +61887384051)
Fax: 08 8738 4356 (International Code +61887384356)
Email: nelsonvic@hotkey.net.au
Sadly they don't have a website.

Nelson is an excellent place to visit for a weekend, a week or just passing through on the way from one state to the other. For those who like canoeing or boating the Glenelg river is a very good option, in fact one of the very few options in the South Western Victoria region. Fishing is a great way to pass the time around Nelson as is bush walking. Or You can just relax by the river or beach, chill out and let the worries of a busy life just flow away. So stop by, enjoy and tell Your friends how good this quiet little place really is.

Eating out in Apollo Bay is easy, the only difficulty is choosing which one of the many great options to try. Its a place to come back to time and again to sample the variety of fine menus.

Accommodation

There are many places to stay in and around Apollo Bay, all types of accommodation, from Bed & Breakfast, Resorts, Retreats, Hotels, Motels, Guesthouses, Self Catered, Camping, Cabins and Caravan Parks are available.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great place to stay at Apollo Bay

Tours at and to Apollo Bay

There are many Tours to the Apollo Bay area, from both Melbourne and Adelaide.

Apollo Bay also has it's own Tour Operators with a great knowledge of this wonderful locality, So why not experience it with people who know all the best spots.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great Tour to Apollo Bay.

Things To See and Do

There are so many Things To See and Do in the Apollo Bay area

Start with a visit to the Apollo Bay Information Centre on Apollo Bay Foreshore, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, 3233. Phone 03 52376529

www.visitapollobay.com

orwww.visitsurfcoast.com

There are several great reserves in the Apollo Bay area.

• Barham Paradise Scenic Reserve -

• Marriners Falls is located at the end of the road along the Barham River. The walk is 3km return, allow 1 hour, and follows the Barham River. There are a number of creek crossings with no bridges, waterproof shoes are recommended.

Snorkel or kayak to Haley Reef at Marengo to see the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary. Paddle out to see the local seal colony.Only 80m offshore, inside the reef is often calm and accessable for moderate swimmers and snorkellers, Outside the reef is subject to the Southern Ocean so great care needs to be taken.

In the parklands leading to the beach there are 24 brilliant sculptures drawing their inspiration from the sea of them, created by nine separate artists. They range from seats to fountains to decorative poles.

There is plenty of fishing to be had along the coast.

There are Antique shops and art galleries for those who love to browse.

The Old Cable Station Museum and the Bass Strait Shell Museum are both open regularly and worth a visit.