Lakes Coast Visitor Guide

LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 37 LOCH SPORT With both lake and ocean on hand, Loch Sport is a natural mecca for aquatic activities, ranging from boating, water skiing, and sailing, to kayaking, swimming, surfing and fishing. Serviced on its lake side with a marina, jetties and boat ramp, the village (which has a permanent population of around 1,000 people) swells many-fold during holiday periods, as campers, caravanners, day-trippers and other holiday makers flock to this relatively remote setting to enjoy its pristine ocean beach (part of the famous Ninety Mile Beach), sheltered lakes, picturesque wetlands, and protected natural bushland. The township – located between the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park and the Lakes National Park – also features an excellent pub, an RSL club, a boat club, tennis court, lawn bowls, children's playground, a skate park, and a golf course, as well as a general store/ post office, supermarket, small hardware store, pharmacy, cafés, takeaway shops, and petrol outlets. A boating paradise By boat, it's only a stone's throw from Loch Sport to the popular fishing locations of Hollands Landing and the McLennan Straits. As the crow flies, Loch Sport is due south of the western entrance to Bairnsdale, yet to get there by road requires a trip of about 120 kilometres back through Sale. In fact, when you're in this part of the world, you'll find it's quicker and easier to reach villages like Paynesville, Metung or Wattle Point by boat. Fishing galore As you'd imagine, with so much unpolluted saltwater around in the lakes and ocean, fish are in abundance and – during holiday periods – so are anglers! Surf fishing is popular, with gummy shark and Australian salmon regularly caught straight from the sand. There are also lots of lovely places to drop a line into Loch Sport's estuarine lakes, including from the jetty or from a boat or kayak, with the main target species being snapper, tailor, salmon, dusky flathead, black bream, King George whiting and mullet. If you have a boat, you can cross the lake to the renowned fishing waters of Holland's Landing, or head east towards Paynesville, Metung or even Lakes Entrance. Loch Sport Caravan Park Loch Sport Caravan Park owners, Ray and Belinda Johnson, have created a very special place to stay. This peaceful holiday park is nestled in native bushland that's abundant with birds and wildlife. With Lake Victoria and a first-class boat ramp just a few minutes away, it is an excellent place to bring your boat and go exploring. And the magnificent Ninety Mile Beach is just a 10-minute drive away. Accommodation options here include a range of cabins, as well as powered and unpowered campsites, and you and the kids will also appreciate the Park's communal facilities, including an onsite playground, camp kitchen, laundry, kiosk, barbecues and more. Your dog is also welcome here (on a lead, of course). To book or find out more about Loch Sport Caravan Park, visit lochsportcaravanpark.com or call (03) 5146 0264. A favourite destination for boaties, campers and caravaners Loch Sport’s marina and jetty. Photo: Visit Gippsland PB16113 Owners: RAY & BELINDA JOHNSON Ph: 03 5146 0264 www.lochsportcaravanpark.com Majestic bush park with an abundance of wildlife. • Pet friendly – Conditions apply WINTER SPECIAL - Stay 4 nights get 1 FREE

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTU5ODU=