PS Curlip (1 hour drive from Metung)

Paddle Steamer Curlip II is a replica of an historic paddle steamer of the Snowy River, in Far East Gippsland, Victoria.

A community project, her construction has utilized the traditional skills of wooden boat builders, and thousands of hours of volunteer labour. The Curlip will operate as a cruise vessel on the Snowy River Estuary exploring the natural and cultural heritage of this hidden gem of south east Australia.

The original Paddle Steamer Curlip was built by Sam Richardson and his sons Mark, Albert and Frank, at their sawmill at Tabbara, a pioneering settlement on the Brodribb River, a tributary of the Snowy River. The keel was laid on 14th October 1889 and PS Curlip was launched in 1890. The diary entry for 6th February 1890 “at 12 noon she was launched without a hitch and very little leakage. Length was 48’ x 19’ displacement 10 tons – 2 paddle wheels rated at 2 horsepower.”

The name “ Curlip” is derived from the indigenous name for the area where Tabbara is located and includes land  to the east of the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers towards Cape Conran.

PS Curlip was registered in 1893 and the Passenger Certificate issued on 30th January 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitled her to carry 25 passengers and only 10 passengers when engaged in towage service. Two children under 12 years of age to be reckoned as one passenger.

PS Curlip towed five barges at a time, traveling upstream as far as Bete Bolong, 20 km upstream of the mouth to collect produce to be transferred to schooners near Marlo. She towed vessels in and out through the Snowy river entrance and was also used for social functions such as Sunday School picnics. She was the main means of transport for imports and exports on the Snowy River for almost 30 years.
The Curlip era ended abruptly on Friday 28th February when a flash flood carried her and 2 barges down river and out to sea, where she washed ashore at Marlo and broke up.

Give yourself time...

Glide past rushes, graceful herons and contemplative cows as the paddle wheels churn rhythmically on. Vistas of distant mountains frame waterways full of birds: black swans, cormorants, pelicans and ducks. As you pass by a sea eagle's nest high atop a tree in the rainforest, the aroma of fresh coffee from the galley drifts across the clean air...

Scheduled Cruises:
One and a half hour cruises are operating from Wednesday to Sunday at 11:30am. Saturday 11.30am & 2.30pm.
(Schedule subject to change without notice: please contact our booking office to confirm availability of cruises).

Adult fare: $30.00
Child (4 years to 16 years) fare: $15.00
Family: $73.00 ( 2 adults and 2 children OR 1 adult and up to 4 children)
Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Groups are strongly recommended to book in advance.

(Fares include a Parks Victoria fee as the vessel passes through Coastal and Flora and Fauna Reserves.)

Annual Pass:
Annual Passes allowing unlimited trips on regular scheduled cruises on Paddle Steamer Curlip are available at the following rates.

Adult: $100
Child $50

Annual passes are not transferable to other people. Pass holders must still book tickets for any particular cruise which will be issued subject to availability.

Charters:
The Paddle Steamer Curlip is available to charter for groups, functions and special events. Up to 60 passengers can be taken aboard at one time and there is a small café style galley aboard.

PS Curlip Website

The East Gippsland Rail Trail starts at Howitt Park on the east bank of the Mitchell River at Bairnsdale , past farmland for 10 Klms to Nicholson (sealed surface) with its spectacular bridge over the river. Then 22 Kms on to Bruthen and across the Tambo River, up into the Colquhoun forest en route to Nowa Nowa and Lake Tyers at the 59 Km mark. The section from Nowa Nowa opens 28 January 2006 where the final destination is Orbost on the iconic Snowy River. This completes  a  nearly 100 Km rail trail.

Large destination and distance (Klms) signboards have been erected recently at key major road crossings and along the trail at some minor roads. These are intended to help potential or new visitors find convenient access points to the rail trail, and to otherwise ‘advertise’ that the rail trail exists.

Small international symbol signs are used to indicate who or what is allowed to use the trail. For example motor vehicles and motor cycles are prohibited. Caution signs at road crossings serve to remind users to exercise special caution. At Bumberrah (between Nicholson and Mossiface) there is a shelter fitted with a notice board where information about the trail is provided and also a display giving information about the important remnant grassland at that location. ( photo below )

Kilometre distance markers and name boards at bridges, tunnels and minor road crossing points are to be installed to aid visitors check just where they are on the trail. Interpretative signs will also be progressively installed to highlight significant features and information about local fauna and flora. This former railway line has a very interesting history and significance for the region. Sharing that knowledge can be done through careful use of signboards.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Website

The Reserve was established to cater to the needs of the thousands of visitors who visit the caves each year.

Things to Do

• Spend time in the Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre and learn more about our natural and cultural heritage.
• Visit the caves. Guided tours are conducted daily in Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. Both caves are lit and have concrete pathways. Royal Cave features beautiful calcite-rimmed pools; Fairy Cave features elaborate stalactites and stalagmites.
  Tour Times:
  

  October to Easter ~ 5 tours daily	10.00am, 11.15am, 1.00pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm.
  Post  Easter School Holidays to September	11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm

• Special cave tours (some of which involve donning a helmet and light) for small groups are offered during the school holidays and amy be organised by prior arrangement.
• Walk the Spring Creek Track (90 minutes return) or try the shorter walks in the area.
• Swim in the pool fed by a natural spring.

Parks Victoria Buchan Caves Website

Nyerimilang Heritage Park is on the shores of the Gippsland Lakes, 10 km by road north-west of Lakes Entrance. The park is ideal for picnics featuring attractive gardens and pastoral surroundings and walks along bush and farm tracks. The park also offers magnificent views across Reeve Channel and the lakes beyond.

Things to Do

Nyerimilang is used by local community groups for activities concerned with history and the natural environment. These events are advertised locally and are generally open to all park visitors.

Walking tracks

• Whistling Kite Track (0.75 km - 10 mins one way): after a grassland walk, the track passes through various forest types. The Whistling Kite, a large brown hawk, nests in the tall Blue Gums that surround this short walk.
• Homestead Track (1.1 km - 25 mins one way): the original entrance to Nyerimilang Homestead was via this track from Maringa Creek crossing. Leaving the homestead, the track gently descends through moist gully vegetation to swamp, then salt marsh.
• Cliff Top Walk: affords the visitor panoramic views of the nearby lake system and Bass Strait beyond. The meandering, mostly level track is 1.7 km, 30 minutes one way.
• Kurrajong Track (0.75 km - 10 mins one way): this track is a link between Cliff Top and Homestead tracks. The Kurrajong, an evergreen native tree, is most obvious on the northern end of this track.
• Salt Marsh Track (1.2 km - 25 mins one way): the track is from the Kalimna West road to Reeve Channel. The salt marsh environment surrounding the tidal Maringa Creek gives way to the sandy shoreline of the lake system.
• Bird Hide Track (0.4 km - 5 mins one way): commences at the intersection of Cliff Top Walk and Salt Marsh Track. A pleasant resting point to view the wildlife of the salt marsh.

Facilities

• In the grounds of the homestead there are picnic tables and toilets, with facilities for the disabled.
• Souvenirs and tourist information are available in the Friends of Nyerimilang shop at the Park entrance.
• Camping is not permitted, but a wide range of accommodation is available in Lakes Entrance, Metung and Bairnsdale.

Heritage

The land that is now Nyerimilang Heritage Park was first owned by Mr A Murray in 1884. He later transferred it to Frank Stuart of Melbourne who built a home as a base for fishing and shooting holidays at the Gippsland Lakes. During the early 1930s, his son Frank Jnr extended the house, developed the surrounding gardens and lived in style at Nyerimilang complete with housemaids and a gardener. When Frank Stuart Jnr died in 1936 his widow gave the property to the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland for use as a Boys' Training Farm.

William Buckland, the "quiet millionaire", purchased Nyerimilang in the 1940s and occasionally used it as a holiday home. After he died in 1964 the property changed hands again before being purchased by the Victorian Government in 1976.

A display featuring the history of Nyerimilang and the natural resources and history of the Gippsland Lakes may be seen in the homestead. A collection of reference material is also available in the homestead library.

Fauna

Nyerimilang attracts many species of birds including honeyeaters, water birds and birds of prey. A large dam below the homestead provides a new habitat of wildlife in the Park.

Vegetation

The semi-formal gardens and lawns surrounding the homestead contain an interesting collection of exotic and native species. Elsewhere, the majestic Gippsland Blue Gums and Coast Grey Box on the cliff tops contrast with the marshland in the valley of Maringa Creek.

The East Gippsland Garden will represent the flora communities of East Gippsland. The garden is currently being developed by the Friends of Nyerimilang, Society for Growing Australian Plants- Bairnsdale Group and Parks Victoria.

Looking After the Park

• Native plants and animals and historic features are protected.
• Leave the park as you find it.

How to Get There

Access to Nyerimilang Heritage Park is from the Princes Highway via either the Nungurner Road or the Metung-Kalimna West Road. Signs indicate the appropriate turnoffs from the highway to the park. The park is open daily until sunset and the homestead is open when Rangers are on duty, normally from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Group visits should be arranged in advance with the Rangers.