Top Attractions In Sale

• Port of Sale - the only inland Port in Victoria, the cutting of the 2.5 kilometre long Sale Canal, in 1886-1888, linked the town to the Thompson River and established it as a busy port for steamers plying the 400 sq kilometres of waterways which comprise the beautiful Gippsland Lakes system.
  
  
• Lake Guthridge - Created in 1876, Lake Guthridge has become a refuge for waterbirds, especially our city’s emblem the Black Swan. Popular for picnics and barbecues. A leisurely 45-minute walking (Parcourse [18] Fitness Circuit) track surrounds the lake for those wishing to take exercise. A shorter (1.1km) walk around Lake Guyatt part of the Wetlands walk you will also find the Powder Magazine bulit in 1864-65.
  
  
• Sale Common Refuge and Boardwalk Reserve - A magnificent wetlands area, with 450 metres of boardwalk, has a combination freshwater marsh and Redgum woodland which supports an enormous variety of birdlife, including swans, egrets, herons and spoonbills. Two birdhides allow visitors to experience the prolific birdlife at close proximity.
  
  
• The Historic Swing Bridge - is one of the first of its type, built in 1883 to pivot from the centre through a series of cogs and gears. Ships, steamers and barges passed up and down the river to the port of Sale laden with supplies, produce and passengers
  
  
• Historic Buildings - Magistrates Court 1863 & Supreme Court 1887 are buildings of high architectural integrity and classic design, St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral 1884 featuring fine stained glass windows, St Mary’s Cathedral 1887 renovated more recently, with a bronze of Mary McKillop by Annemieke Mein installed in 1995, “Our Lady of Sion” convent 1893 is a marvelous gothic building still in use as part of the Sale Catholic College today. See the Bicentennial Clocktower in the mall utilizing the original bluestone base, iron work and clock mechanisms.
  
  
• Gippsland Art Gallery - Offers a wide variety of exhibitions and events. The gallery features Gippsland and the environment past and present. Also offered is a changing of exhibitions of local, regional and nationally important shows.
  
  
• Wellington Fine Arts and Crafts - works by over 120 different artists and crafters from the Gippsland area are featured. Established in 1995 this cooperative has been a winner of 2 awards for service to tourism. A visit to the Cowwar Art Space and the Den Of Nargun at Stratford should also be rewarding
  
  
• Sale Sunday Market & Farmers Market - Held monthly (3rd Sunday), this marketoffers a large array of goods for sale including antiques, art and crafts and bric-a-brac. It is a very well recognized and reputed market, something of a large affair within the region. The FarmersMarket features stalls from many local Gippsland wine & cheese makers, as well as fruit & vegetable produce. Farmers Market is held every 3rd Saturday near the Information Centre.
  
  
• RAAF Base East Sale - is home of the aerobatic flying team the RAAF “Roulettes” who have thrilled the masses with their precision flying formation (6 members, plus a spare, comprise the Roulettes flying team) are often seen practicing in the skies nearby. It is a training base for pilots, air navigation and photography. There is a Winjeel on display at the entrance.
  
  
• Wineries - Wa-De-Lock Vineyards in Maffra is open Friday to Monday for sales and tastings. Wines produced are Savignon Blanc, Chadonnay, Chaneleon White/Pinot and Pinot Noir. A new Cellar Door for Wa De Lock has opened (trading 7 days a week) at 76 Tyers Street (Princes Hwy) at Stratford. Nearby and open for visits are Narkoojee and Nicholson River Wineries offering other varieties.
  
  
• Gippsland Equestrian Centre - by prior arrangement, catch some indoor arena horse training sessions. Sale hosts the World Cup Equestrian Show Jumping Champion Event at the Sale Showgrounds each December.
  
  
• Great Seasonal Atractions - Australia Day (January) Fishing Competition at Golden Beach; a Swap Meeting in January;Maffra Scot Fest (Feb); The Longford Vintage Tractor Pull and Rally (March); The Gippsland Harvest Festival (in Maffra in March), Maffra Mardi Gras (March); the Marley Point Overnight Yacht Race (March);Port Albert Regatta (March); (Yarram) Tarra Festival at Easter; Stratford on Avon Shakespeare Festival (April - May). .
  
  
• Esso BHP Gas Plant & Heliport - a few kilometers off the Sale Seaspray road, what appears to be a science fiction movie scene mushrooms from the rural landscape. The high-tech natural gas processing and crude oil stabilization plants play a vital role in our nations energy needs. Opposite is the Esso BHP Heliport which services the largest privately operated airline in Australia, as they ferry workers to and from the off shore oil platforms.
  
  
• Ninety Mile Beach - as the name implies the beach area covers the 90 miles with pristine beach of golden sands, renewed daily with the tide. All year round Surf fishing along here is a popular. A visit to Seaspreay, Paradise Beach or Golden Beach is an easy drive.
  
  
• Tarra - Bulga National Park - This Park nestled within the Strzelecki Mountain Range and is accessed via Grand Ridge Road. This tiny pocket of untainted timeless rain forest is all that remains of a once magnificent forest of tree-fern and thousand-year-old myrtle beech, towering mountain ash and shining gum that once covered the entire range. Picnic facilities at Balook.
  
  
• Holey Plains State Park - Entered via Chessum Road, this park is a naturalist’s delight. Noted for its wildflowers, it is forested by open eucalypt and banksia woodland on rolling sand country.
  
  
• Rotamah Island - Leased from the Lakes National Park by the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Rotamah Island brings a sense of instant tranquillity. Rotamah also offers an abundance of bird and animal watching opportunities.
  
  
• Blue Pool, Quarries, McKinnon Point - Only a short drive from Briagolong on the Freestone Creek Road to this lovely creekside picnic area with safe swimming for children. A few more kilometres to “The Arches” and our most popular local swimming hole – The Blue Pool. A little upstream, a sheer cliff face overlooks McKinnon Point, another deep pool on the Freestone Creek. Rustic table settings and short bushwalking trails have been developed, including a 40-minute walk to an old gold mine.
  
  
• Dargo - This secluded High Country town of Dargo lies at the foot of the Dargo High Plains amidst a setting of 100-year-old walnut trees. The Dargo River meanders through the town making it an idea destination for a day trip. The town came to prominence during the gold rush to the Crooked River in the 1860’s as a supply centre. Dargo today has continued and attracts fishermen, walkers and those intent on getting out and enjoying the bush. Numerous walks and drives are available (info sheets can be obtained from any of the businesses in town). Try the Bush Horse rides and/or the Dargo Valley Winery for daily tastings (not open Fridays). Easter time hosts the annual Walnut Festival.
  
  

Top Activities For SALE

• Wetlands Walk - Walk, jog, stroll or picnic at Lakes Guthridge & Guyatt. Created in 1876, Lake Guthridge has become a refuge for waterbirds, especially our city’s emblem the Black Swan. Popular for picnics and barbecues. A leisurely 45-minute walking (Parcourse [18] Fitness Circuit) track surrounds the lake for those wishing to take exercise. A shorter (1.1km) walk around Lake Guyatt part of the Wetlands walk you will also find the Powder Magazine bulit in 1864-65.
  
  
• Sale Heritage walk or Drive - Take a self guided tour of Sale's historic sites and buildings.
  
  
• Canoeing & Paddle Boating - Most weekends you can paddle or peddle you way around Lake Guthridge.
  
  
• Skateboarding - For the young and energetic there is a specially designed (2007) skate park located near the Port of Sale.
  
  
• Golf - For sports fans, the Sale Golf Course at Longford, boasts a “competition” standard golf course, available for anyone to enjoy. This is one of Victoria’s most highly regarded country courses. Six (6) other golf courses can be found nearby including a 12 hole par-3 course near the Port of Sale.
  
  
• Cycling - Bring your bicycle and ride around town or try a specially mapped cycling trip. There are 10 officially mapped trips which are graded from 10km to 160km around the area.
  
  
• Horse Racing - Regular horse racings meetings are held at the historical Greenwattle Racecourse, which is one of the states best racetracks. Sale Cup, a big event here, is held in March.
  
  
• Fish, Swim, Surf, & Sandcastles. - Extremely popular with surf fishermen or people who just want their own space on the sand. Two general stores service all holiday needs. A small reserve has plenty of barbecues and playground facilities for family day-trippers. Visit the 90 Mile Beach - Golden Beach, Loch Sport, Paradise Beach and Seaspray.
  
  
• Fishing - Try your hand at fishing along the Canal, at the Port of Sale, or by the river near the Swing Bridge. Maybe surf fishing is your thing - just 20 mins drive down to the 90 Mile Beach area.
  
  
• Sunday Market & Farmers Market - Held monthly (3rd Sunday), this marketoffers a large array of goods for sale including antiques, art and crafts and bric-a-brac. It is a very well recognized and reputed market, something of a large affair within the region. The FarmersMarket features stalls from many local Gippsland wine & cheese makers, as well as fruit & vegetable produce. Farmers Market is held every 3rd Saturday near the Information Centre.