LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 37 SALE On a serene cruise aboard the historic EMV Rubeena, you’ll discover how Sale Canal helped to open up Gippsland to the world. Port of Sale Heritage Cruises is a family-run business that operates from the Port of Sale, and offers cruises twice daily aboard the historic EMV Rubeena. Fascinating stories Sale's only licensed leisure cruise, a serene morning or afternoon journey on the Rubeena will take you back in time, as your experienced on-board guide recounts fascinating stories of Sale's early European settlers, who were first attracted to the region in the 1880s by the prospect of finding gold. Many of these enterprising newcomers turned their hand to manufacturing and commerce (in fact, the locally-made cheese was so good, it was exported back to Europe), and the waterways around Sale provided an effective means for getting supplies and resources in and out of the town. This cruise allows you to discover the role Sale Canal played in opening up Gippsland to the world. See the swing bridge The journey takes you to the swing bridge, which was built to enable taller vessels to navigate the river. Completed in 1890, it is a real feat of engineering, and is now the oldest intact operational bridge of its kind in Australia. The swing bridge can be seen operating on Saturdays and Sundays between 3pm and 4pm, and on the second Wednesday of every month, between 11am and noon. About EMV Rubeena One of the area's earliest vessels, the EMV Rubeena was built in Sydney and originally licensed on 4 April 1912, before travelling south to begin life on the Gippsland Lakes. A century later, the Rubeena was purchased by Port of Sale Heritage Cruises and – following extensive restoration work in 2013 – it now continues a proud history of carrying passengers on the Gippsland Lakes system. Nature in abundance For nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers, the vessel's quiet, retrofitted electric motor makes the trip ideal for spotting the abundant (yet, sometimes shy) local birdlife and wildlife to be seen on the Sale Canal, and the Thompson and Latrobe rivers. The best times for nature photography from the boat is at sunrise and sunset – which can be arranged with a private charter. Whether you take a scheduled morning or afternoon cruise – or organise a private charter cruise – your tranquil journey will be resplendent with towering river red gums, beautiful birdsong and wonderful reminders of Sale's fascinating river heritage. Travel back in time aboard a heritage river boat Join us aboard the Rubeena as you travel from the Port Of Sale to the Historic Swing Bridge, cruising quietly observing the wildlife and discovering the history of Sale and surrounds. 35 90 0407 067 213 PB16704
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