Yambuk
Village on the Great Ocean Road
Yambuk is a tiny township of about 80-100 people located
in a pastoral and agricultural district on the Shaw River, 18 km west
of Port Fairy and 296 km west of
Melbourne on the Princes Highway.
The limestone cliffs to the east of town have yielded
numerous middens which indicate that Aboriginal settlement in the area
dates back at least 2300 years.
Things to see:
Yambuk Inn
The town's most historic building is the Yambuk Inn
(formerly the Commercial Hotel) which was once an important stopping
place on the road between Port Fairy
and Portland. It was erected of
bluestone in 1870-71 to replace a timber original which was erected on
the same site in 1856. The present building was designed by pioneer
architect Captain John Mason and features walls of squared basalt with
a dormered attic. The steeply-pitched iron roof is regarded as
evocative of early building traditions in NSW and Tasmania. The
bullnose verandah was added in the early 20th century.
Yambuk Lake
The 'lake' is actually the estuary of the Eumeralla
River. It is a scenic and quiet getaway spot located 3 km south of the
town along Yambuk Lake Road. There is a campground with about 40
powered sites, two barbecues and a basic amenities block with a laundry
and showers. It is essentially a fishing lake and there is a boat ramp
with small adjoining fishing wharf. There is no waterskiing and it is
not recommended for swimming. Opposite the boat ramp, on the eastern
side of the lake is a giant slide in the sand dunes. Surf fishing can
be enjoyed from the ocean beach which is also fine for careful wading
but it is unpatrolled and these are dangerous waters so don't venture
out very far.
Eumeralla Garden
Situated on five acres, this garden features plantings
of rugosa and old-fashioned roses. There are groves of lilacs, elms and
birches and perennial borders planted with irises, lilliums and bulbs.
There is a children's garden, a kitchen garden, a viewing platform and
a gift shop. It is open weekends and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. or by appointment and entry is by donation. 'Eumeralla' is
located in Fingerboard Rd, tel: (03) 5568 4276.
Codrington
10 km west of Yambuk,
on the Princes Highway, is Codrington. Wormwood Garden and Nursery has
several display gardens, a lavender walk, a keyhole garden and 'the
nook by the brook', all set around an Edwardian home (c.1900). The
exotic plant nursery specialises in irises, daylilies, climbers, roses
and hedging plants. There is also a replica of an old-style general
store and a memorabilia display relating to the outset of the 20th
century. Wormwood is open Wednesday to Sunday and most public holidays
from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and is located at 4887 Princes Highway,
Codrington. Garden tours are by donation, tel: (03) 5568 4203.
Codrington Nursery is signposted from the highway at
Codrington. It is open daily and specialises in native trees, shrubs
and ground covers with an emphasis on coastal plantings and indigenous
species. Deciduous trees, fruit trees and ornamentals are available
from June to August, tel: (03) 5568 4344.
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Hotels
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Yambuk Inn Hotel
Princes Hwy
Yambuk
VIC
3285
Telephone: (03) 5568 4310
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Caravan Parks
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Yambuk Lake Camping Ground (Limited Facilities)
Yambuk Lake Rd
Yambuk
VIC
3285
Telephone: (03) 5568 4201
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Backpackers
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Eumeralla Backpackers
High St
Yambuk
VIC
3285
Telephone: (03) 5568 4204
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