McLoughlins Beach, Victoria

McLoughlins Beach Victoria
McLoughlins Beach
Coordinates	38°36′31″S 146°54′14″E / 38.60861°S 146.90389°ECoordinates: 38°36′31″S 146°54′14″E / 38.60861°S 146.90389°E
Population	282 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	3874
Elevation	0 m (0 ft)
LGA(s)	Shire of Wellington
County	Buln Buln
State electorate(s)	Gippsland East
Federal Division(s)	Gippsland
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.9 °C ^68 °F 8.2 °C ^47 °F 739.1 mm ^29.1 in

McLoughlins Beach is a small settlement in South Gippsland, Victoria. It has an estimated permanent population of less than 300^[2] and a number of holiday houses.

History

The first inhabitants of the broader area were the Kurnai Aboriginal people.^[3] Within the Kurnai people were the Brataulung people^[4] who inhabited the forests and coasts around McLoughlins Beach area for thousands of years.^[5] They used the waterways as a source of fish and shellfish.^[5] Like other nearby coastal towns, McLoughlins Beach is thought have Aboriginal heritage values of significance, although comprehensive studies of the area in this regard have been limited.^[6]

European development of the area began in the early 1920s when the original jetty was built.^[7] This jetty existed until the 1960s. During this time McLoughlins Beach was a popular fishing village.^[7] The current jetty was built in 1967 and the footbridge which gives access to Ninety Mile Beach was built in 1972.^[7]

Recreation

McLoughlins Beach provides opportunities for estuary, offshore and surf fishing.^[8] Facilities that assist with fishing include a boat ramp, a jetty and a footbridge that provides walking access to Ninety Mile Beach. Local authorities do not recommend swimming at Ninety Mile Beach here. The nearest beach patrolled during the summer months is at Woodside Beach. Walks in the area include a one kilometre return walk along the jetty and boardwalk and a 20 kilometre return walk from McLoughlins Point to Reeves Beach.^[9] McLoughlins Beach also has a picnic shelter, playground, public toilets, postal box and public telephone.

Environment

Located near the western end point of Ninety Mile Beach McLoughlins Beach sits on a slight elevation largely surrounded by waterways and mud flats.^[10]

Next to and partly surrounding the township is the 29 800 ha Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park. This park has a number of threatened species including the little tern, the white-bellied sea eagle, Lewin's rail, ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus), swamp skink (Egernia coventryi) and the great egret.^[11]

• 
  Footbridge to 90 Mile Beach at McLoughlins Beach
• 
  View from footbridge at McLoughlins Beach
• 
  Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park sign with McLoughlins Beach Jetty

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "McLoughlins Beach (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
2. ABS Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC27029 | name = McLoughlins Beach (State Suburb) | accessdate = 2012-04-11
3. Gregorys (2002). "Australia The Essential Touring Atlas First Edition", p.176. Gregory’s Publishing Company, Australia. ISBN 0 7319 1333-7.
4. Clark, Ian D. (1996) "Aboriginal Language Areas In Victoria", A Report to the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation For Languages 14 July 1996
5. Oliver, Nathan (2005) "Forest Notes Won Wron & Mullungdung State Forests", May 2005 FS0053 ISSN 1440-2262
6. Wellington Shire Council. "McLoughlins Beach Urban Design Framework". Coastal Towns Design Framework Volume 3, March 2007 p.10.
7. Wellington Shire Council "McLoughlins Beach Community Plan 2009"
8. Wellington Shire Council"Discover The 90 Mile Beach Visitor Guide From Loch Sport to Port Albert 3rd Edition",p.5.
9. Parks Victoria (2011). "Corner Inlet and Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Parks Visitor Guide"
10. Wellington Shire Council. "McLoughlins Beach Urban Design Framework". Coastal Towns Design Framework Volume 3, March 2007 p.40.
11. Parks Victoria (2000). "State of the Parks 2000 (Edition 1) Volume 2", p.191. Parks Victoria, Melbourne. ISBN 0 731181190.