LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 13 MEENIYAN/FISH CREEK Meeniyan While Meeniyan – an aboriginal name which translates to 'moonlight' – is perhaps best known for being the turning point to Fish Creek and Wilsons Prom, it certainly has plenty to offer in its own right. Originally established as a train station on the South Gippsland railway line in the late 1800s, this vibrant and picturesque country village has all the services you would expect from a small town... plus a few unexpected extras, including fab art galleries, a live music venue that attracts major international acts, and free wi-fi throughout the town – for locals and visitors! A small and pretty township – with a tree-lined median strip – Meeniyan has a strong food and arts community, and showcases contemporary fine art, crafts, jewellery, antiques, and theatre, as well as excellent boutiques, restaurants and cafés, and a classic 1930s country pub: the Meeniyan Hotel. Considered the music capital of South Gippsland, the town hosts regular live music shows in its town hall, and over the past 25 years it's attracted a vast and eclectic array of Australian and international music acts. Shows are presented by volunteers from the Lyrebird Arts Council. To find out about upcoming shows at Meeniyan Town Hall, go to the Lyrebird website at lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au The town was also the filming location for the popular ABC mini-series, 'Bed of Roses'. Meeniyan also has a golf course, boutique stores, a supermarket, an 1890s post office, a go-kart centre, fabulous parks and playgrounds, and it provides access to the Great Southern Rail Trail – a meandering gravel cycling track that runs from Nyora to Port Welshpool, passing through Meeniyan, Fish Creek and many other quaint villages. Today, the old train station grounds retain a pivot sheet, goods platform, mile marker and buffer stop. The fertile soils surrounding Meeniyan are home to a community of premium garlic growers, while in the township you'll find a supermarket, pharmacy, and the Meeniyan Post Office, which was first opened in 1890, shortly before the railway arrived. A trip to Meeniyan should include a visit to the Meeniyan Bird Hide and Wetlands, and a stop by the eclectic array of art on display at Meeniyan Art Gallery. Fish Creek A scenic 15-minute drive away from Meeniyan is the quaint township of Fish Creek. Perhaps most famous for being near the gateway to Wilsons Promontory National Park – and for the giant mullet sculpture mounted on the roof of the art deco Fish Creek Hotel – the village of Fish Creek is a browser's delight, with a number of boutique stores, art studios, galleries and cafés. Like Meeniyan, Fish Creek is also considered an arts and culture hub for South Gippsland, thanks to a community of artists who call the village home. The Great Southern Rail Trail passes through this town too, and the original 1890s station platform remains intact. It's worth taking a 10-minute drive out of town, towards Foster, to find the Mt Nicoll Lookout, which on a clear day, offers panoramic views across the waters of Corner Inlet, to the distinctive mountains of Wilsons Promontory. In keeping with Fish Creek's reputation as a creative hub, there's also plenty of public artwork to seen around the town, including a giant rotating mosaic fish next door to the old butter factory building, and a variety of street furniture painted or tiled with sea-creature motifs. Fish Creek has a number of playgrounds, a general store, pharmacy, a petrol station/roadhouse and, of course, lots of shops, galleries and cafés to explore. Two vibrant and picturesque country villages Pictured clockwise from top: You’ll see some beautiful countryside as you drive around Meeniyan and Fish Creek. A giant rotating mosaic fish sculpture, located near the old butter factory building in Fish Creek. The Fish Creek Pub, with its famous mullet sculpture on the roof. All photos: Visit Victoria Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club, 163 Surf Parade, Inverloch Surf Parade, 30 Surf Parade, Inverloch Rotary Centenary Park, Ramsey Boulevard, Inverloch Info Centre, 14-18 Abeckett Street, Inverloch (10am-5pm) Inverloch Foodworks, 10 Reilly Street, Inverloch Environment Centre, Ramsay Boulevard, Inverloch Inverloch Boat Ramp, 20 The Esplanade, Inverloch Cuttriss Street Esplanade, The Esplanade, Inverloch Meeniyan Meeniyan Hall, South Gippsland Highway, Meeniyan (24 hrs) Fish Creek Falls Road, Fish Creek (24 hrs) Wilsons Promontory Boat Ramp, Foley Road, Yanakie (24 hrs) Lilly Pilly Gully, Wilsons Promontory Road (24 hrs) Tidal River Beach, Second Ramp, Tidal River (24 hrs) Norman Bay, Wilsons Promontory Road, Tidal River (24 hrs) Telegraph Track, Wilsons Promontory (24 hrs) Foster Pearl Park, Main Street, Foster (24 hrs) Foster Foster Showgrounds, 71 Nelson Street, Foster (24 hrs) Toora Franklin River Reserve, Sth Gippsland Highway, Toora (24 hrs) Sagassar Park, Victoria Street, Toora (24 hrs) Agnes Falls, 125 Agnes Falls Road, Hazel Park (24 hrs) Port Welshpool Foreshore, Lewis Street, Port Welshpool (24 hrs) Welshpool Main Street, Welshpool (24 hrs) Information correct at time of publication. Source: toiletmap.gov.au Here’s a list of all-abilities public toilets in this region. All toilets are open during daylight hours, unless otherwise specified. More info at toiletmap.gov.au PROM COUNTRY ALL-ABILITIES PUBLIC TOILETS Need a stop? comfort
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