South Gippsland
Victoria, Australia

"The Port" is frequently promoted as a fishermen's paradise as the protected inland waters provide fine catches. Amateur fishermen back their runabouts down the concrete double ramp, eager to get an early start on whiting, flounder and flathead. Larger boats may venture into Corner Inlet or through the Port Albert entrance out into Bass Strait. The magnificent bays and coves of eastern Wilsons Promontory are accessible from Port Albert.

There is a charm and quiet ambience about Port Albert. The summer dawn is particularly pleasant, when the morning sun bathes a warm orange glow over the old buildings and boats tied up at the jetty. Mist rises as the sea warms to a new day. Fishing boats chugg their way down the channel and out into Bass Strait. The early pioneers would have enjoyed a quiet respite at The Port from their travels over the ranges. The rough-and-tumble days of the last century are gone but not forgotten. Port Albert has mellowed to a most delightful town. 

A most pleasant walk commences at Government Walk, Stockyard Point. Moving northwest one passes the timber shed built in 1876 to house the Life Saving Equipment, the Bond Store (1856) and Warehouse, the Port Albert Hotel (licensed since 1844), and then a series of private residences including the old Port Albert Post Office (1864),  the Derwent Hotel (1859), the Bar of the Ship Inn (1856), past the general Store (1856) to the Old Bakery (1859) faithfully maintained by artist Warren Curry, one of Australia's leading landscape and marine artists, and on to the beautifully restored Gowrie House (1855).

A fitting finale to the walk is a visit to the Port Albert Maritime Museum, housed in the former Bank of Victoria building (1862). The award-winning museum, recently renovated and refurbished, is fully accredited under the Museums Australia (Victoria) accreditation program. Its collection contains a wealth of information on the maritime and local history of Port Albert and Gippsland. 
 

Port Albert is an easy three hour drive from Melbourne east along the South Gippsland Highway. Set some three and a half kilometres inland within the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park, it offers a protected haven from the vagaries of Bass Strait weather. 

ROAD ACCESS 
From Melbourne - South Gippsland Highway through Korumburra, Leongatha and Foster, turnoff at Alberton (well signposted all the way); or east along Princes Highway to Traralgon, turn south for Yarram on Hyland Highway, then on to South Gippsland Highway.
From Sydney and Canberra - Princes Highway to Sale, then South Gippsland Highway to Yarram. See Map.

MOORINGS
Several sheltered jetties and private moorings within the inlet. 

RAMPS
Large double concrete all-weather ramp suitable at low and high tide. Launching facilities of variable use also at nearby Manns, Robertsons and McLoughlins Beaches. 

FUEL AND PROVISIONS
Shoreside Service Station. Phone/fax (03) 5183 2442.
Fuel, bait, tackle, fishing licences, basic foodstuffs.
General Store, (03) 5183 2359. Limited provissionss, newspapers.
Port Albert Seafoods, (03) 5183 2432. Fresh fish.

POST OFFICE: At General Store

BOAT HIRE 
Port Albert Boat Hire, at the Slip, (03) 5183 2566.
The Winch House, on the foreshore, (03) 5183 2394 

MARINE REPAIRS 
Alberton Marine, (03) 5183 2344. Boat engine repairs, parts & service.

ROYAL VOLUNTEER COASTAL PATROL
Port Albert Division (03) 5183 2555

ACCOMMODATION - See also accommodation fo Yarram.
Port Albert Accommodation Services, (03) 5183 2207
Port Albert Hotel/Motel, (03) 5183 2212. 
Port Albert Caravan Park.  Phone (03) 5183 2600 
Seabank Caravan Park, Old Port Road, (03) 5183 2315. On-site vans & cabins.
 

MEALS
Customs House Cafe, (03) 5183 2306. 
Fully licenced seafood restaurant. Take away.
Port Albert General Store.  Take Away.
Port Albert Hotel. Meals.
Port Albert Seafoods, at the jetty. Take away.
There is no doubt that Port Albert serves some of the best fish and chips in Australia, and hence the world. 'Flake' , a succulent white meat from small gummy sharks, whiting and flathead tails are all extremely popular. 

PORT ALBERT MARITIME MUSEUM
Phone/fax: (03) 5183 2520
Open 10.30am - 4.00pm 
Daily during September-May; weekends June-August, school/public holidays.

NOORAMUNGA MARINE AND COASTAL PARK
Covers over 30,000 hectares extending from Little Snake Island in the west to the start of the Ninety Mile Beach. The park provides a sheltered waterway, with sand island protection from Bass Strait. Region is a significant bird habitat , particularly for the thirty-two specoes of migratory waders recorded. The islands also provide a safe habitat for a range of small mammals including the introduced Hog Deer. The seagrass beds provide important fish nursery areas.

LOCAL INTERESTS
Maritime museum, the Old Port, marine and bird life in the coastal park, coastal walk, Curry Art Gallery, the old classified buildings.

Nearby interests: Township of Yarram (population 2,000) with all modern facilities only 14 kilometres north on South Gippsland Highway; the Alberton Historicc Cemetery, 5 km north,  the Tarraville Church, oldest in Gippsland, 8 km, ; magnificent Tarra/Bulga National Park and the Strzelecki Range, 20 km  past Yarram; start of Ninety Mile beach at Woodside; Yarram Golf Course. 

SEA ACCESS
To the protected waters of the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park; to eastern Wilsons Promontory, and Corner Inlet. Wrecks of the Clonmel and Blackbird. Sunday island game reserve, Clonmel Island and other inlet and coastal islands. 

RESTRICTIONS
Restrictions apply to the marine and coastal park. All native flora and fauna is protected. No domestic animals allowed on the islands. Camping is permitted in some areas. 

Old Mellow Port. Peter Stone. Magazine article.
Gateway to the Goldfields. Jeff Toghill. Book Chapter from Ghosts Ports of Australia.