Stayz gives you a great variety of accommodation options for your stay in Venus Bay Phillip Island and Gippsland, including holiday rental houses, cottages and more.
A short drive from Melbourne, Venus Bay is a small town bordered by a bay of the same name to the west and Anderson’s Inlet to the east. The village of 500 souls swells in the summer months, but Venus Bay’s surrounds remain peaceful throughout the year, with countless walking trails and secluded beaches where you can unwind away from other human beings, if you so choose. A short drive from Venus Bay are some of Victoria’s most popular natural attractions, such as Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island, making the South Gippsland town a strategic base for local exploring. Holiday rentals of all sorts can be found in Venus Bay and the surrounding area, from riverside cottages to rural chic retreats in the bush.
The names of Venus Bay’s five beaches are easy to remember: they are called Beach No 1 to Beach No 5. No 1 Beach is Venus Bay’s main beach, home to the Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and the only patrolled beach of the five. All the same, during peak season, lifesaving patrols head out to the other beaches in turn. While Beach No 1 is a swimming and surfing beach, swimmers must take care due to strong currents at times. Beach No 1 features a kiosk, toilet and shower facilities, ample parking and picnic tables. Beach No 2 is lined by sand dunes and Beach No 4 offers a lookout point. Beyond Venus Bay’s five beaches, there are numerous untouched beaches on the shores of the Third Estate, accessible via walking tracks.
Venus Bay and the surrounding areas feature endless walking and cycling tracks. An easy walk for the whole family is the 1.2km (one-way) Walkerville Overlook Walk, which lines the waterfront and meanders through coastal woods. The paved track features a side path which leads to a lookout with bay views all the way to Wilsons Promontory. If you would like to spend the day hiking, head to Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, where the scenery alternates between rugged cliffs, golden beaches and seemingly untouched bushland teeming with wildlife. Stop at one of the beaches to fish, swim or sail. If you’d prefer to explore the region on two wheels, you can ride your bike along the Tarwin Lower to Venus Bay Cycling Track. The 5km trail is mostly flat and connect the two towns while providing prime views of the Tarwin River. Cycling enthusiasts may also enjoy the Tour de Tarwin, a yearly cycling event held at Easter for local riders.
Another popular Venus Bay activity is to go fishing. The waters surrounding the peninsula are favoured by a number of types of fish, namely salmon, snapper and parrot-fish. Angling opportunities abound, whether you would like to throw your line off Walkerville’s rocks or wish to try your luck at fishing in the placid waters around Anderson’s Inlet. Meanwhile, Beach No 1 is a popular spot for local fishermen. If you plan to go fishing, remember that you need a valid Victorian recreational fishing licence and must be mindful of protected species. If you need to pick up supplies, you can find several bait shops in the town of Venus Bay.
The town of Venus Bay may be quite small, but it has all the amenities and services necessary for a comfortable break. On Jupiter Street, you’ll find several restaurants offering Modern Australian and Italian fare. A number of speciality shops have opened up throughout the village, including an arts & crafts store. Those looking to get pampered can look up local masseuses or spend quality time at the town’s day spa. For all your basic needs, from DVD rentals to takeaway from a delicatessen, head to Venus Bay’s general store. For more amenities and services, drive to nearby Tarwin Lower.
The most convenient way to get to Venus Bay is by car, as public transport is limited and time-consuming. Conveniently, you can drive to Venus Bay from Melbourne in under two hours, taking the South Gippsland Highway.