Tarwin Lower is a small, picturesque, country town, with a population of approximately 420 people, nestled on the banks of The Tarwin River, in South Gippsland, 167 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. It sits 5 kilometres east of the popular coastal, holiday town of Venus Bay, 22 kilometres north of Walkerville and is centrally located between Wilsons Promontory National Park and Phillip Island.
Tarwin Lower was first settled in the 1840's and, as the Tarwin River was once the life blood of this small town, it relied upon the ketch 'Ripple' to deliver stores, carry mail and take the town's supply orders. Over the years there have been floods, fire and much hard work and adversity, but today the area boasts rich grazing and farming land with strong dairying and pastoral industries.
The main road into town hugs the river and today there are several fishing and viewing platforms built on the river's edge. The town centre stretches along the River Drive, boasting a petrol station, complete with a 'country- style' road house, a mechanics shop, a post office, a hairdresser, a chemist, a locally grown fruit & vege shop, a Cape View Mitre 10, a butcher, a local hand craft shop, and a brand new IGA store, with a lovely cafe attached.
Tarwin Lower also has a rustic pub, with a large, beautiful timber deck, overlooking the river. The motel is conveniently located near the pub, and there is also a primary school (educating 45 students), a church, a community health centre and a hall. Beside the hall is where an ever-growing market is hosted numerous times a year, bringing many visitors to the town.
At the north-western edge of Tarwin Lower is a beautiful river-front picnic area, along with the jetty and a 35 metre long picnic table, made from a single length of wood. Between the river and the road leading to Venus Bay from Tarwin Lower (which is the only road in) lies a track, ideal for the morning or evening jogs, relaxing walks or bicycle rides.
An event named, 'Tour de Tarwin', where people make their way from the starting point at the Venus Bay shopping strip to finish at the Tarwin Lower jetty, is organised annually for the Easter long weekend, and is a joint Venus Bay/Tarwin Lower initiative. Whilst it is primarily a cycling event, everyone is welcome to participate, from walkers to golf buggies, to go-karts. We've seen it all! Hundreds of people gather, while the number of attendance to the event increases each year.
Middle Tarwin, which neighbors Tarwin Lower, consists mostly of milking or beef farms, that have been handed down from generation to generation and are still very active. It is a quiet, serene part of the world amongst beautiful flora and fauna. It is also home to the disappearance of the famous 'Lady Of The Swamp', which is a local mystery still unresolved to this day. Our farm actually backs onto the once mysterious woman's land. I've read her story and I would love to know what happened to her! Middle Tarwin also has tennis courts beside a multi-purpose hall. I've personally experienced a Middle Tarwin Christmas Party there, complete with Santa on horse back!
There is so much to see and do in this beautiful area besides the obvious surf, sun and sand. Visitors are also enticed to this corner of the world by the Bald hills Wetlands, where migrating birds can be observed at dusk.
Many programs and activities for all ages are offered through local clubs, the Venus Bay Community Centre, (also home to the Community Recycling Op Shop), and Tarwin Lower Health Centre, just to name a few.
The Tarwin Lower Footy Club, known as The Tarwin Sharks, is part of the local Alberton Football League, and together with the Netball Club, is a major part of the town. Besides being well organised and competitive, the club strongly values its family orientation. It also continues to be the largest social meeting point of the town and has proudly been responsible for forming life-long friendships and marriages.
Cycling, tennis, bowls and especially bush walking are also very popular, where many native animals can be spotted. There's fantastic river, surf or boat fishing, and the Venus Bay Fishing, Beach & Surf Shop can expertly inform you on which fish are available and which bait to use all year round. Fishing competitions are also organised on a regular basis.
Venus Bay has a population of approximately 600 people, and increases into the thousands over the summer holiday period. It's surf beach, although a little dangerous, is superb with five entrances along the Bass Strait Coast to choose from. Beach one is patrolled during the summer holidays and preferred by visiting families.
The surrounding vegetation of Anderson Inlet is covered with grazing kangaroos at dawn and dusk, which is a magnificent sight.
Walkerville has few services, however is popular with holiday makers, due to its peaceful environment, safe swimming beaches and scenic fishing spots.
Walkerville is also known for its limestone cliffs, which were actively mined until 1926, supplying material for Melbourne's building industry. Ten kilometres south-west of Walkerville is Cape Liptrap, where a ten metre high lighthouse stands, built in 1951. I've attended a wedding ceremony there and it is a stunning location.
To sum it up, Tarwin Lower and surrounds is a beautiful area, with a welcoming, approachable community, abundant wildlife and superb beaches. We have the best of both 'country and sea', only minutes away from each other and we're less than a two hour drive from Melbourne.
In the ten years my husband and I have lived here, I have often said, 'We now live at the rear end of the world', but honestly, I'm so glad we discovered this little piece of paradise....You should come see for yourself :)
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