The jetty at Inverlock

Inverloch
Quiet seaside resort which was once an important port.
Inverloch, a Gaelic word meaning 'entrance to a lake', is a popular seaside holiday spot at the mouth of Anderson Inlet, 143 km south-east of Melbourne and 9 m above sea level. Ancient middens discovered in the area are testimony to the seafood diet of the Bunarong Aborigines who once occupied this stretch of the coast. The Bonkoolawools are also thought to have hunted in the region.

The first white settler in the district was Samuel Anderson, who discovered the inlet's existence while exploring the coast after he settled at Bass River in 1835. He and his brother established a cattle run in the district and 'discovered' the Tarwin River, which is thought to have functioned as a natural boundary between the local Aboriginal tribes. The area was opened for selection in the 1870s and Inverloch became a port for the shipment to Melbourne of black coal which was mined at nearby Wonthaggi.

Martin Wyberg, a ship's carpenter, achieved some notoriety when he disappeared from the Avoca at the moment when thousands of gold sovereigns were discovered missing from the ship's strongroom. He was arrested when some of the sovereigns were found at his Inverloch abode. In an attempt to obtain leniency he offered to lead the authorities to the cache, but escaped by overturning the police vessel in the Tarwin River. He was later reportedly seen in Europe. The demolition of his house and a search of the district revealed nothing, though some believe the treasure still remains in the vicinity (see entry on Walkerville).

The arrival of rail and road led to the decline of exporting activities, as was the case with most of South Gippsland's ports. Today, the area relies on tourism, as well as dairying, grazing and wool. Holiday-makers from Melbourne are attracted by the absence of commercial development and exploitation. Indeed, there are few facilities, so it is best to bring some supplies, although the shops of Wonthaggi are only 12 km away.

Things to see:  

Near the boat ramp at Inverlock

Water Activities
The huge and interesting sand dunes of the peninsula which encloses the inlet, act as a breakwater against the wild seas of Bass Strait. These conditions are ideal both for families with young children and for beach and boat fishing. A launching ramp has been provided to facilitate the latter. Conditions for canoeing and waterskiing are excellent and the winds from Bass Strait make sailing and sailboarding ideal. Those keen on surfing have only to make their way around Point Smythe on the isthmus, to the more turbulent waters of Venus Bay.

Birdwatching
The unusual, salt-secreting mangrove tree can be found at the inlet and birdwatching can be enjoyed at Maher's Landing and Townsend Bluff. From Point Smythe to Venus Bay is a stretch of beach which constitutes one of Victoria's largest sand spits. In the north-western corner is a nature conservation reserve and a salt-marsh community can be found at the peripheries. Migratory birds are present and the occasional spotted native cat has been seen in the area. There is a picnic site at Fisherman's Jetty.

Inverloch Environment Centre
Conchologists can visit one of Australia's most impressive collections of shells (the Jack Lewis Shell Collection) at the Inverloch Environment Centre, 1-3 Ramsay Boulevarde. It also provides a range of brochures on the region's natural history. It provides useful information about the mangroves in the area.

Driving in the Area
To see the lovely countryside and coastal scenery around Inverloch, drive south-west along the Bunurong Cliffs to Cape Paterson. In the opposite direction, 19 km south-east of Inverloch, is the small village of Tarwin Lower. Both drives are well worthwhile. This is wild country whipped in winter by the cold winds off Bass Strait.

	Motels
	Inverloch Central Motor Inn 32 A'Beckett St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 3500 Rating: ***
	Inverloch Motel Bass Hwy Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 3100 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Esplanade Hotel 1 A¹Beckett St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1432 Rating: *
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Fryers Bed & Breakfast 18 Ramsey Blvd Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1929 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Sandcastle Cabin Park 14 Cuttriss St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 2203 Rating: **
	South Kolora Cottage Kongwag Rd Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1305 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Inverloch Foreshore Reserve The Esplanade & Ramsay Blvd P.O. Box 21 Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1236 Rating: **
	Inverloch Holiday Park Cnr Esplanade & Cuttriss St P.O. Box 98 Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1447 Rating: ****
	Mollers Caravan Park 19 Hillside Ave Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 2245 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Beaches And Cream Restaurant A'Beckett St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 3366
	New Inverloch Palace Chinese Restaurant A'Beckett St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 2433
	Rippleside Brasserie & Restaurant Cuttriss St Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 3999
	The Inlet Bistro & Bar The Esplanade Inverloch VIC 3996 Telephone: (03) 5674 1481