A settlement with five surf beaches and beautiful vistas
The town of Venus Bay is situated on a narrow peninsula of land located 180km south-east of Melbourne.
It takes its name from the body of water on its western shore. On the eastern side of the peninsula is Anderson’s Inlet, named after the settler Samuel Anderson.
Today, Venus Bay is a popular holiday retreat for people from Melbourne and is close to other popular South Gippsland tourist spots such as Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island.
The permanent population of Venus Bay hovers around 910, however this can swell into the thousands during holiday periods.
Venus Bay is around 2 hours drive from Melbourne, along the South Gippsland Highway.
Venus Bay is split into three ‘estates’. The First Estate is home to the only shopping strip in Venus Bay, consisting of a general store, fishing and surfing store, take-away shops, real estate agents, caravan park and a restaurant. Three of Venus Bay’s five surf beaches (Nos. 1, 2 and 3 beaches) are in the First Estate, with the Venus Bay Surf Livesaving Club located at the No. 1 Beach. This is the only patrolled beach, although during the busy summer period surf patrols regularly make their way up and down the beaches to just beyond No. 5 beach. The First Estate also has the Venus Bay Community Centre, which houses twilight markets during the summer holidays and other community activities.
The Second Estate is home to Nos. 4 and 5 beaches as well as the popular fishing jetty on Anderson’s Inlet. At the edge of the Second Estate is an elevated viewing platform that allows visitors to look out across Anderson’s Inlet and view the many kangaroos that call the quiet eastern shores home.
The Third Estate is a sparsely populated nature conservation zone leading to the tip of the peninsula known as Point Smythe (part of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park). This reserve has signed walking tracks that lead to secluded beaches on both shores of the peninsula. Private land in the third estate abuts Cape Liptrap Coastal Park and Anderson Inlet, an internationally recognised migratory bird habitat. Anderson Inlet foreshore reserve can be reached by Doyle’s Road.
Venus Bay was named by Nicholas Baudin, who was in charge of a French expedition to the region. It is presumed that it was named after George Bass’s trading ship the Venus. (The expedition traded with Bass in Sydney in around 1801).
Source: Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia website.
Dump Point
Venus Bay Caravan Park- free for guests
Parks & Playgrounds
Skate Park, Venus Bay Community Centre, 27 Canterbury Road (small playground)
Jupiter Playground, 126 Jupiter Boulevard (Playground, undercover tables/seats and BBQs, public toilets)
Pharmacy
Venus Bay Pharmacy, 131 Jupiter Boulevard
Supermarket
Venus Bay Licensed General Store, 135-139 Jupiter Boulevard
Quick facts about Venus Bay
– Population approximately 509
– 160 kilometres southeast of Melbourne
Venus Bay – Activities and attractions
– Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club patrols No. 1 beach during summer months.
– Explore the beautiful coastline with a coastal walk
– Enjoy river, surf and estuary fishing
– See kangaroos grazing near mangrove flats along tranquil Anderson Inlet
– Point Smythe Nature Trail
Tarwin Lower – Venus Bay Tourism & Local Commerce
Association
Our purpose is to provide a united front to drive and support all businesses in the area and
to facilitate economic and strategic growth for the two townships,
while preserving their unique appeals and attractions for residents and visitors alike.
Address: Tarwin Lower Post Office, Tarwin Lower, 3956
Mobile number: TBC
Email: tlvb.talc@gmail.com
