Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Aside from the coast, the main attraction here is the
PS Curlip
( 03-5154 1699;
www.paddlesteamercurlip.com.au
;
adult/child/family $25/15/60; cruises 10.30am Sat & Sun, extra cruises Dec &
Jan)
, a re-creation of an 1890 paddle steamer that once chugged up the Snowy River to
Orbost. The vessel was rebuilt as a community project. You can buy tickets at the general
store in town.
You can't beat an afternoon beer on the expansive wooden verandah of the
Marlo Hotel
(
03-5154 8201;
www.marlohotel.com.au
;
17 Argyle Pde; mains $14-30)
, which offers a sublime view of
the Snowy River emptying into the sea. The boutique rooms (double $140) are above av-
erage for a pub - some come with spa ($130-160) - and the restaurant serves local sea-
food such as gummy shark and king prawns (mains from $14 to $30).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cape Conran Coastal Park
This blissfully undeveloped part of the coast is one of Gippsland's most beautiful corners,
with long stretches of remote white-sand beaches. The 19km coastal route from Marlo to
Cape Conran is particularly pretty, bordered by banksia trees, grass plains, sand dunes and
the ocean.
Activities
Cape Conran is a fabulous spot for
walking
. One favourite is the nature trail that meets up
with the East Cape Boardwalk, where signage gives you a glimpse into how indigenous
peoples lived in this area. Following an indigenous theme, take the West Cape Rd off
Cape Conran Rd to
Salmon Rocks
, where there's an Aboriginal
shell midden
dated at more than
10,000 years old.
For some relaxed swimming, canoeing and fishing, head to the Yerrung River, which
shadows the coast east of the cape and can be reached along Yerrung River Rd. There's
good surfing at West Cape Beach, extending northwest from the cape and accessible from
West Cape Rd. For qualified divers, Lakes Entrance-based
Cross Diving Services
( 03-5155
1397, 0407 362 960;
www.crossdiving.com.au
)
offers dives on most weekends (equipment hire avail-
able).
If you're staying in the park, keep an eye out for bandicoots and potoroos, whose num-
bers have increased in recent years following the introduction of the park's fox manage-
