Sale accommodation from AU$130

In Sale’s early days in the late 1800s, it played an important role in the region as the westernmost port in the Gippsland Lakes following the construction of a man-made canal. Gaining prosperity from the nearby gold rushes and strategic location, Sale was only officially declared a town in 1924, and then a city in 1950.

Today, the Port of Sale is one of the main local attractions. Undergoing a multi-million dollar redevelopment in 2004, the Port has been transformed into a picturesque centrepiece of the town. With a boardwalk, jetties, walking paths, BBQs, gardens, and shaded grass areas, the Port of Sale is a popular place for tourists and locals alike. The thriving café and restaurant scene makes it the best spot in town to grab a coffee, an ice cream or a more satisfying lunch with a view.

One of the best ways to experience the Port is to take a step back in history, and enjoy a boating journey from the Port down into the vast Gippsland Lakes and beyond. Eventually, the waterway connects to the ocean at Lakes Entrance. Marine life is abundant in the Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park on the other side of the sandy dunes that protect the Gippsland Lakes. An amazing 860 species have been discovered within just 10 square meters of this vast stretch of coastline.

There’s more to do in Sale than drift downstream though. Swap your swimmers for joggers and explore the Sale Common River Heritage and Wetlands Trail. On bike or on foot, follow the 400 metre boardwalk that winds through the local woodlands and grasslands of Sale Common, then continue on to lakes and along the Thompson River. Stop at the Historic Swing Bridge, unpack a picnic, or peer through binoculars at the many species of birds up high in the trees. There are both shorter and longer loops of the track to suit everyone’s level of fitness and enthusiasm. Slightly further afield, the Tarra Bulga National Park boasts more adventure with lush fern gullies, abundant wildlife and waterfalls to discover.

For something much more slow-paced, check out some local artists at the well-known Gippsland Art Gallery; wander the Sale Mall, featuring Annenieke Mein’s wall of fame; or browse memorabilia in the Sale Historical Museum. Children and adults alike will enjoy the Gippsland Armed Forces Museum at the Sale RAAF Base. Used to train bomber pilots in World War II, today there are photos, stories and displays documenting Gippsland’s military history.

If food and wine is more your thing, then don’t miss the Flavours of Gippsland festival when the whole region dishes up its finest for your tasting. With the best of the region on your doorstep, Sale offers more than just the local landscapes to indulge in. So wot’s stopping you from booking a Sale hotel for your next retreat from reality?