Weekend in Sale

Have a relaxing Saturday afternoon on the "Rubeena" as we cruise the Flooding Creek and Thompson River to the Swing Bridge (1883) at the junction of the Latrobe River. On Sunday we walk around the Sale Common or The Sale Common State Game Refuge. The Sale Common covers approximately 300 hectares, 70 percent of which is freshwater marsh. The remaining area is covered by red gum woodland and grasslands.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE:

• Saturday: Grade 1: Easy, approximately 9 km walking on flat concrete, bitumen and gravel paths.
• Sunday: Grade 3: Medium, 15 km, plus another 300m from accommodation to start of Common walk and 1.5 km to the railway station after the walk. mostly on flat, formed gravel tracks and boardwalks. Taxis are available if required.
• (walks graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: An early start for our trip to Sale, this can be by COACH or car if you are going for the full weekend or for Saturday only. If you are only doing the Sunday walk, the only option for travel is by car as the train arrives too late. We arrive back in Melbourne on Sunday at 2109. If you are only doing Saturday walk/cruise or Sunday walk, you may also stay overnight on Saturday. Please only bring items that will fit in your backpack as you will be carrying them around during the weekend and they will be sitting on your lap during the cruise, especially if the cruise is full. We are staying at the M Hotel and you may also leave items there.

• Saturday: On arrival we will walk into town, via the Goanna Savannah before we have lunch at the Star Hotel bistro. After lunch, we will visit the Central Gippsland Visitor Centre and the attached small Art Gallery (free) then to the Water Tower. We make our way to Lake Guyatt, see the historic gunpowder magazine, visit some bats, walk through the small Botanical Gardens and past Lake Guthridge.  Most of this walk is not covered by tomorrows walk.
• Sunday: 10:00 Departure: Today is a 15 km walk around the Sale Common (start/finish near/at the Port of Sale). This walk is totally flat with a couple of raised viewing areas. We will start by walking past Lake Guthridge and Lake Guyatt before entering the Common. We will take the Flooding Creek Track this morning and return via the Boardwalks in the afternoon. We will see lots of bird life and also the LaTrobe & Thompson Rivers & will be able to walk across Swing Bridge (1883). After returning to town, we will have a look at the Port of Sale then have refreshments, before heading off to catch the 17:59 coach home.

Note: Additional walking: Sale Station to/from M Hotel (each way) - 1.9 km, 25 min; M Hotel to/from Port (each way) - 700m, 10 min; M Hotel to/from Star Hotel (each way) - 400m, 6 min.

BOOKING: ASAP for Accommodation and/or River Cruise.  Please carefully select Ticket options when booking.

• ACCOMMODATION: We have currently booked one 3-bedroom apartment (FULL) and three stand-alone Queen Rooms -  1 AVAILABLE (2 Full). Sleeps one or two persons. ALSO 1 Twin apartment - 1 Queen bed and 1 single bed AVAILABLE  Sleeps 1, 2 or 3 persons. (if SHARING for 2 or 3 - email the leader to book). Other limited options are still available and will be booked when required. If the M Hotel is booked out, the leader will try to get accommodation nearby. The caravan park is suitable if you are driving. To book your accommodation, click on Get Tickets and select the accommodation type you require (or select a Waiting List ticket if the option you want has booked out).
• CRUISE: River Cruise has been Cancelled as no longer operating. (saleheritagecruises.com.au).
• TRAIN: This is now a COACH in both directions and departs from the Southern Cross Coach Terminal. If not driving, book your train ticket via vline.com.au. See PUBLIC TRANSPORT below.
• WALK ONLY: Book by Wednesday 18th March if not cruising, if you have your own accommodation arrangements or if you are doing the Sunday walk only. To register, click on Get Tickets and select a "Walks Only" ticket.
• Visitors are advised to take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to making any bookings.
• Note: Accommodation is limited within walking distance of central Sale. 

Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

CANCELLATIONS: 

• M Hotel: Must be cancelled by 2pm Tuesday 17th March for refund - after 2pm Tuesday - No refunds.   
• Cruise: Must be cancelled by 10am Tuesday 17th March for refund - after 10am Tuesday - No refunds. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: V/Line | M. Hotel | salemotorvillage | saleheritagecruises  | Port of Sale | starhotelsale menu

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 07:30am at Southern Cross Station, Train usually departs platforms 15/16 Southern Cross. If you have a reserved seat, you can sit there or in the unreserved rear car.

MAP REFERENCES:

• Southern Cross: Melway Map 1A grid A6 | Google: maps.app.goo.gl/6DEJVBQY9tmKUuBy5
• Sale: Melway Map X928 Grid G6 | Google: maps.app.goo.gl/5tmPVXMa37o3ZjjZ6

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 216 km, approximately 2 hours 46 minutes to drive, 3 hours 09 minutes by train.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Vline Coach from Southern Coss to Sale and return. Coach Reservations are not required. E-Tickets available via vline.com.au. No MYKI - paper tickets only (or eTickets). You can choose to receive your ticket via eTicket or as a paper ticket collected from a staffed station or agent at least 30 minutes prior to travel, or posted to you (please allow 10 business days for postage). Taxis are available in Sale if required.

COSTS:

• Vline Return Fares: Full: $16.00 | Concession $8.00 | Senior $free (includes suburban travel zones 1 & 2) Conncession can use a Free Travel Voucher (Voucher - phone bookings only).
• Accommodation: From $66.00 Twin Share to $170.00 (single or couple).

FOOD:

• Saturday lunch: Star Hotel Star Hotel menu 
• Saturday Dinner: The York (M Hotel restraunt & bar) - The York Menu.
• Sunday Breakfast: Cafe in town or BYO.
• Sunday Lunch: BYO. Carry lunch, snacks and at least 2 litres of water for Sunday's walk.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.

LEADER: Paul K. | Email LeaderPaulk@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

Image: Sale Heritage Cruises

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