Beach trip report
| General Location | East Gippsland |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Tribe/Language Group | Kurnai nation – Tatungooloong/Krowathunkooloong |
| Access to beach | Numerous road and tracks along the beach |
| Beach Classification | Wave Dominated – Intermediate -Traverse bar and rip |
| Start Date/Time | 31 Mar 2017 – 14:46 |
| Start Location (inc Lat/Long) | Southern end S38° 37. 663’ E146° 53.442’ |
| End Date/Time | 5 Apr 2017 – 16:57 |
| End Location (inc Lat/Long) | Northern end S37° 52.032’ E148° 3.699’ |
| Mode/s of Travel | bike and walked |
| Record Distance Travelled | 145km |
| Location of Sand Sample (Lat/Long) | S38° 3.037′ E147° 37.190′ |
Having spent the previous few days testing my riding skills and physical abilities on three shorter beaches on the south coast of New South Wales the time had come for the big challenge, Ninety Mile Beach.
This magnificent stretch of beach; one of the longest in Australia; begins facing south-south-east, before turning to face south-east, from where it runs as a near straight beach all the way to Shoal Inlet. While the beach and surf zone change little throughout its length, the backing foredune, dunes, barrier and lakes undergo considerable changes.
In the following reports I have detailed the events that occurred in each stage some special events and experiences including; encounters with wildlife including a sleeping seal, spectacular sunrises, running into interesting people and find special places of interest, including a ship wreck. There are many things I have documented and will always remember about this challenge.
I can proudly say never once did I ever consider giving up, it was one of the most enjoyable activities I have undertaken in quite some time. It wasn’t easy and there were time as you will read (if you choose to do so) the going was very hard and there was one major mishap. This however it all culminated into making finishing the beach so special. Thanks must go to Joanne, without her help and encouragement this would not have been achievable.
Select from the table below to see reports and pictures. It took me over five days so there is a bit of a story to tell so take your time.
| Stages | Start Finish |
Km | From To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Test Run, 31 Mar 2017 | 14:46 – 17:05 | 8.9 | Southern End to Reeves Beach (Camp) |
| 2. Morning, 1 Apr 2017 | 05:10 – 09:45 | 30.8 | Reeves Beach to Sea Spray SLSC |
| 3.Afternoon, 1 Apr 2017 | 14:51 – 18:00 | 14.2 | Sea Spray SLSC to 8 km south of Golden Beach |
| 4. Morning, 2 April 2017 | 06:30 – 12:30 | 21.8 | 8 km south of Golden Beach to 90 Mile Beach Retreat |
| 5. Afternoon, 2 April 2017 | 14:00 – 16:58 | 12 | 90 Mile Beach Retreat to Lock Sport Causeway |
| Rest Day, 3 April 2017 – Spent in Loch Sport and Sale | |||
| 6. Afternoon, 4 April 2017 | 11:15 – 17:55 | 16 | Lock Sport Causeway to Ocean Grange (Bush Camp) |
| 7. Morning, 5 April 2017 | 05:30 – 11:15 |
20 | Ocean Grange (Bush Camp) to Lake Entrance (Drew’s Jetty) |
| 8. Afternoon, 5 April 2017 | 14:00 – 16:57 | 8.7 | Lake Entrance (Flagstaff Jetty) to Northern End |
Dawn on Ninety Mile Beach
