NINETY MILE BEACH
NINETY MILE BEACH - AUSTRALIA
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Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria, Australia"the second longest beach in the world" |
LOCATION
Ninety Mile Beach is in Australia down on the
south eastern coast of Victoria State. From Melbourne the beach is 160 miles to
the east. The length of the beach of course is all in the name, but for those
who like accuracy, 94 miles. It is an unbroken stretch of sand running from
McLoughlins in the south to the Lakes Entrance in the north.
OUR VISIT
My wife and I first visited Australia back in 2012,
flying into Sydney from London. It took me a few days to get over the jetlag
(something I didn’t plan for), after which we hired a car for a few weeks with
a view to exploring the coast down towards Melbourne. We based ourselves in a
motel in Sale for a few days which is about 19 miles from the beach.
On the first day there
we drove to Seaspray, a small coastal town built on the edge of Ninety Mile
Beach. Seaspray is a relaxing seaside town separated from the beach by a large
sand dune and a road (Shoreline Drive). The town consists of mainly single
story detached beach type homes, a few shops and stores, and several caravan
parks. The sand dune and Shoreline Drive seem to go on for miles, although we
only explored about 10 miles of it.
NINETY MILE BEACH
Along Shoreline Drive there are parking places and beach
access points through or over the sand dune about every half-mile. Some places
have either a sandy pathway or steps through the dune; other places have wooden piers with steps and a ramp, some suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs.
We drove north along Shoreline Drive for several miles, the
road hugs the coast but the sand dune prevents any view of the beach or sea.
Eventually we stopped at a car parking area adjacent to Golden Beach to explore
on foot.
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Ninety Mile Beach (Golden Beach) |
Walking
through the sand dune partially prepares you for what is coming; you hear the
sound of the ocean and then catch sight of the blue sea and the white breaking surf.
Nothing prepares you for that first view up the beach, it’s just endless; sand
and surf extend north and south to infinity. We were completely alone. As far
as the eye could see in each direction, not another living soul was in sight.
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| Ninety Mile Beach (Golden Beach) south view |
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Author alone at Ninety Mile Beach |
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SEASPRAY BEACH
On our return journey we stopped at Seaspray.
The sand dune here seemed higher than it did elsewhere, but there are several
wooden pier structures that give easier access to the beach, the largest
being at the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club.
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| Seaspray and Shoreline Drive |
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Author at Seaspray Beach - path over the sand dune
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Seaspray Beach looking north |
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Seaspray Beach looking south
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Pier at Seaspray Beach |
Our visit to Seaspray was in the spring (September – Australia), and it seemed a quiet and relaxing place to live. I could imagine it being a very different place in the summer once the caravan parks and holiday homes are occupied. Nevertheless, I still thought it a great location; I could easily spend a summer here enjoying this wonderful beach.
THE END
There is some debate as to where on the world's
list of longest beaches that Ninety Mile Beach stands. The argument seems to
revolve around the exact criteria required for being on the list in the first
place and what list you look at. But this beach is right up at the top of most
lists, on the World Atlas website its No.2, the second longest beach in the
world.
Whilst you may consider that one beach is much the same as
another, for me it is the fact that this is one of the longest beaches in the
world that sets it apart, and makes it worth a visit.
If ever you’re in this part of the world, this beach ought
to be on your bucket list. I will certainly never forget the experience and the
breathtaking view up the side of Australia.
Best wishes, Phil.
LINKS
Ninety Mile Beach:
World Atlas Longest Beach:
Seaspray Surf Club:
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