It will depend on the wind, but I'm thinking of packing my camping and windsurfing gear and going camping for the long weekend. Where are good spots to head within about 8 hours drive of Melbourne? I'm thinking like Mallacoota, but I don't know the area at all. I'd quite like to visit Croajingalong National Park (I'm a fan of National Parks and walking) and it's nearby. Is Mallacoota ok for a beginner? Looks like there's a big inlet there on the map. Other options that are worth a decent drive? Don't mind cross the border into SA or NSW if it's just over the border.

I'd be the first one to spruke the Southwest coastline of Vic and even across the SA border...unfortunately though as a fellow windsurfer - I'm not sure whether the wind will be great & you might be better off going East & into NSW? Robe & Beachport in SA are great this time of year and always worth a drive (think that Robe has a festival this weekend though). Likewise, our local (Portland) should be ok if you're happy with light-moderate winds.

Mallacoota is a lovely spot, but at this time of year is absolutely packed. Bloody long drive for a long weekend and camping sites would be very limited or non-existant. Good sailing and fairly protected in the "bottom lake", but take it from my personal experience-booties are advisable as the oyster shells are razor sharp. But then again, the local doctor is cute so that takes some of the pain out of getting stitches. Was there last Feb and it was fantastic without any crowds.

I've camped and sailed at Wingan and Tamboon Inlets. Beautiful spots where you'd get a campsite, but 35kms of shtty road to get to Wingan and not great sailing in the narrow inlet- Tamboon is better (Peachtree Creek campsite), good in the inlet and safe but you have to struggle upwind a fair bit to get into the inlet proper.

Always hard to suggest a good camping place during school holidays. Gippsland Lakes could be a possibility. Somewhere around Inverloch would be good if someone knows of a camping site.

Thanks Guys. Sounds like Mallacoota might be a bit busy. I still haven't been to Inverloch yet, so maybe I should get myself there. Is it packed with kiters though? That's the thing I don't like about St Kilda - they occupy so much space in the water when their kites come crashing down and it's too congested. I know Inverloch is popular, so always imagined it being as busy as St Kilda. Sandy Point is not too far from there too. That area looks beautiful.

just across the border in SA Beachport has free camping at lake george out the spit, there will most likely be other crew around there as well, the se seabreezes are exellent at the moment but by the weekend only sat looks sweet 17 to 22 sun and mon look very average even going to north on mon.

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jimbob SA said..

just across the border in SA Beachport has free camping at lake george out the spit, there will most likely be other crew around there as well, the se seabreezes are exellent at the moment but by the weekend only sat looks sweet 17 to 22 sun and mon look very average even going to north on mon.

That looks like a really nice area. The beach looks beautiful anyway. If the wind is at all northerly that would make it a no for me though. I'll definitely get here at some point. Will keep an eye on the wind. I'll go out in anything over 7 kts at my level. I'm still quite happy just sailing around even if I'm not going fast. I've been to the Coorong which isn't much further than this and the ocean there is wild. The signs everywhere said "Southern Ocean beaches are not safe for swimming" and we thought "Meh, how bad could it be?". When we got to the beach, we took one look and decided "Hmm, yeah ok, maybe not". This stretch looks fairly sheltered from a Google Maps street view though.

I sail the coast between brown bay and nene valley near mt gambier. Lots of national park walks and 4x4 trecks in this region. Pm me any time if you come over!
Wind might be good this weekend fingers crossed

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pilchard said..

I sail the coast between brown bay and nene valley near mt gambier. Lots of national park walks and 4x4 trecks in this region. Pm me any time if you come over!
Wind might be good this weekend fingers crossed

That looks like it would probably be a bit difficult for me. I struggle with even fairly average chop, so a proper stretch of ocean is probably a no-go at this point (I'm 1 month in). The coast in SA does look very nice though.

Can anyone tell me more about Beachport? I've looked at some photos and it looked like crazy surf, but then I see boats docked in the bay and a pier, so it looks fairly flat. Does it effectively have the choice between flat water in the bay, and surf in the ocean? What's the bay like? I've just been looking on Google Maps (Street View) and it looks quite nice, but I see a fair few rocky areas. Is there much in the town itself?

It's probably a bit early to forecast accurately, but Saturday looks good. Seems like it might be shifting to a northerly on Sunday though.

Was also thinking I could take the ferry to Tassie and try Port Sorrell, but the wind isn't looking great there.

Beachport is one of the best learner spots in our state!
Look at lake George, brackish water that is very shallow and 20 knots doesn't ruffle up the water surface much at all.
A bit to see and do around the town 2 pubs, 2 fish and chippys, a bakery and a small super market.
Two caravan parks, motels and a golf course.

Sounds awesome, thanks. I'll keep an eye on the wind and may get there this weekend. I read somewhere that you need a weed fin and booties for Lake George. Is that right? Is it sandy or muddy?

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d11wtq said...
Sounds awesome, thanks. I'll keep an eye on the wind and may get there this weekend. I read somewhere that you need a weed fin and booties for Lake George. Is that right? Is it sandy or muddy?

Stinky mud and I've never used a weed fin but you would be best off contacting jimbob
Never worn boots either!
Jimbob I'm sure will be available for some hints and he might be around beachport on the weekend
Good luck and happy traveling

hello, here are some further comments.

you need to think how much time you want to travel in you are based in Melbourne.

I think for an intermediate beginner, the best spots around Melbourne are:
- Inverlock - you can surf between the sands banks of Anderson Inlet with limited chop
- Sandy point - no waves as it is an inlet. Also search for more details on Seabreeze.
- Point Henry - i have not been here myself, but you can google it and there is plenty of info on this forum about that. need a weedfin there.
- Anglesea, Point Road knight. you sail on the ocean but, the Point outcrop creates a bay /shelter effect that enables you to launch easily and a safe area to windsurf in. Once you pass the point you get into the swell but get rewarded with the more constant wind.

I windsurf in Anglesea and plan to be out there this long weekend a few times.

Oh, plus both Anglesea and Inverlock have camping sites.

Thanks MvB. Actually, the travel doesn't bother me and is part of the fun. I like to travel! :) I get to Anglesea (and Lorne) a lot during the summer, although I haven't been for windsurfing.

Gurgh. The wind gods are acting against me. Looks like Sunday Beachport will be a no go, as the forecast is now showing ENE. Not worth it just for the Saturday.

Looking in the area around Inverloch & Sandy Point, Saturday looks ok, Sunday looks really "meh" and Monday is offshore. Pretty much everywhere around the Vic coast is the same story it seems.