THE BALNARRING COASTLINE - PICTORIAL HISTORY - 1873 to 2017

THE BALNARRING COASTLINE - PICTORIAL HISTORY - 1873 to 2017

I have published this free, comprehensive on-line, research project which describes in words and pictures the history, geomorphology, heritage and evolution of the Balnarring Coastline, extending from Somers to Point Leo and nearby areas, centred on Balnarring Township, 80 km south of Melbourne, located on Westernport Bay.

The Project includes many public-domain out-of-copyright images, drawings, maps, engravings and photographs, dating back to the 1870s, supplemented with recent photos and videos taken by the author.

It's at 

Balnarring Coastline Pictorial History

Merricks Coastal Hike

These pix were taken on June 26 2012 along the Merricks Coast, Westernport Bay, 70 km south of Melbourne.

This was a 3 km coastal hike, starting at the main car park, along the beach, then up the staircase to the clifftop track.

Good views from two Lookouts  across the Bay to Phillip Island.

Then a descent down another stairway to the beach, and back to the car park.

 

See all of the Photos of my visit  in an animated musical slideshow!

Merricks Beach Foreshore Reserve

Pix taken on April 2012 on a 3 km hike between Balnarring Beach and Merricks Beach, 70 km south of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

My route was along the clifftop, with good views from the lookout, then down a long staircase to the beach, and back along the beach to Balnarring.

The day was mostly overcast, but warm!

See all of the Photos of my visit, and the YouTube video.

Balnarring to Merricks - coastal hike at low tide

These pictures were taken on Sunday November 21, 2010.

They show the scenery on a 3 km (return) beach hike between Balnarring and Merricks. on Westernport Bay, ahout 70 km south of Melbourne.

My expedition started at the end of Seawind Rd, then along the beach to Merricks Foreshore Reserve.

It was a warm day, low tide, and vast rockpools were exposed, which were explored!

See all of the Photos of my trip!

Balnarring to Merricks Coastal Hike

On Sunday afternoon August 22, 2010, I went down to Westernport Bay.

From Balnarring Beach, 60 km south of Melbourne, I did a 4 km (return) coastalwalk to the Merricks Beach, then returned along the clifftop through the Merricks Foreshore Reserve.

It was low tide, and many interesting rock formations were exposed.

The views from the clifftop across the Bay were excellent.

Merricks Beach is a small seaside village, and is one of the few coastal places within a 100 km radius of Melbourne that has been basically untouched by development.

An interesting fact about Merricks Beach is that all of the streets in the area are still unsealed and it has experienced little change since the 1960s. Because of this the area is very rustic and many Manna Gum and Pine trees line the side of these streets.

The area also has a significant Koala population. This particular population has been able to survive in this area because of the lack of development which has occurred here.

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Merricks Beach Clifftop Coastal Trail

On Saturday afternoon May 1, 2010, I visited Balnarring Beach, 70 km south of Melbourne.

From the main carpark at the end of Balnarring Beach Rd, I entered the Bird Sanctuary, following the foot-track to the western Beach.

I proceeded along the beach, reaching the cliffs, then up a foot-track to the top of the cliffs, at Cliff Rd.

From there I followed the main walking track along the cliff top to an observation lookout, then down a staircase to the Merricks Beach.

I returned to home base the same way, about 4 km total.

There were excellent views across Westernport Bay towards Phillip Island, and along the coast.

The clifftop is at an altitude of 35 m.

The Photos in my Album show the beach, other beachwalkers, hounds, and nice views from the clifftop through the pine trees. I have included an historical image showing the Beach as it was in 1940, looking towards the cliffs.

Balnarring to Merricks Coastal Hike

On Sunday afternoon Dec 20 2009 I visited Balnarring Beach, on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

From the car park at the end of Balnarring Beach Rd, I did a 5 km (return) hike, which took me through the Bird Sanctuary, then along the coast to Merricks Beach.

Lots of movement, color, amd action - yachts - kites - seagulls - surfers - swimmers - beachcombers!

This is one of my favourite Beaches, so near to Melbourne!

See the complete set of Photos of my visit!

Balnarring to Merricks Coastal Hike

Balnarring Beach is about 70 km SW of Melbourne, a coastal community on Westernport Bay.

It is popular for fishing, boating, swimming, beachcombing and rockpooling.

I visited this nice beach on Anzac Day, Saturday April 25 2009, for a beach walk to Merricks Beach, a return hike of about 6 km.

The tide was in, so the reefs were not exposed, but there were good views along the coastline as far as West Head, Flinders, and across the Bay to Phillip Island.

Part of the walk passes through the interesting Balnarring Bird Sanctuary, adjacent to Robertson Park.

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Point Leo to Merricks Coastal Walk

Point Leo is a small settlement on Westernport Bay, about 70 km south of Melbourne.

It has excellent beaches, and extensive reefs are exposed at low tide.

I visited Pt Leo on Monday February 9, 2009, doing a 6 km (return) beachwalk from the car-park to Merricks Beach.

The tide was out, and the vast reefs were exposed.

The views were spectacular, north to Sandy Point, and east to Phillip Island.

Many seabirds were nearby, looking for fishes!

See the full set of Photos of my visit!

Balnarring Beach - Kitesurfing and Boats

Balranning Beach is about 70 km SE of Melbourne, on Westernport Bay.

It's popular for sheltered swimming, small boats, sailing, kitesurfing, beachwalking and low-tide reef exploring.

Kitesurfing is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard).

I visited the Beach on March 22, 2009, a very windy day, with kitesurfers and small boats active.

I walked about 6 km (return) along the beach to Somers Beach, with a side trip into the adjacent extensive Coolart Wetlands Sanctuary, Homestead and Lagoons.

Coolart is separated from the Beach by the scenic Merricks Creek, reached by an interesting suspension bridge.

The region was first settled in the 1830s, and Coolert has a rich history.

The original inhabitants of Coolart were the Bunurong tribe of Aborigines and it is from the word "Colourt" or "Callert" - their name for nearby Sandy Point - that the present name of Coolart is derived.

In 1895, Frederick Sheppard Grimwade bought the estate and built the imposing homestead as the family's country retreat. Between 1907 and 1937 Coolart was held at different times by Thomas Armstrong, James Balmain and John Sylvester Feehan. The late Tom Luxton purchased the property in 1937 and immediately had the property declared a sanctuary for native wildlife and embarked upon a program of habitat development. The 87 hectare nucleus of the Coolart area was purchased by the Victorian State Government in 1977 and it was proclaimed as a reserve for "Conservation and Education Purposes".

For information about Coolert, please see

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/22_2144.pdf

See my complete set of Photos

Merricks Beach - Westernport Bay

Merricks is a small settlement on Westernport Bay, about 70 south of Melbourne.

I visited Merricks on February 1, 2009, and did a 4 beachwalk north to Balnarring and back.

The tide was out, and the reef was exposed, with many water fowls waiting for fish!

Other beachwalkers, some with hounds, and a few swimmers, were enjoying themselves!

Please see the complete set of Photos of this trip, which includes an historical image taken around the year 1940, showing the beach, looking south to Merricks.