Along the coast day from Wonthaggi to Venus Bay : March 16 2026
Today, we leave the coal mining town of Wonthaggi with a coffee shop stop in town. Forecast was for rain at 5 am (it did) and building from 11:30. Best get riding is my view.
Do not know how long ago the coal mine started, but there are a few grand old buildings left in the main street
Was taken by the sign above the pharmacy - still a mining town. Mine is a bit out of town but still among the houses
Route takes us back to the coast to explore Cape Paterson
Wonthaggi SLSC is here
The view up the beach to Cape Paterson. A few cyclists walk down to the tidal pools
View down to the beach to the south. Looks like a bit of rain down there
Coastal banksia found on the path back up from the beach
Fab looking mushroom unfolding
Road follows the coast toward Inverloch with a few vantage points to explore the cliffs and beaches. Still grey sky with just spots of rain
A few looks back to Cape Paterson
Look back from Eagles Nest with cliffs a bit higher
Looking south at Eagles Nest along the beach - a bit grey that way - the way we are going
The information board says this is a very important intertidal zone with the widest diversity in Victoria. Been like this a long while as there are important fossil beds further south
Did the walk to see Eagles Nest - helpful for later - a rocky outcrop that has survived the ravages of the sea
Spied a black speck in the yellow cluster flowers. Zoom in - a black and yellow bug
Next stop was The Caves - site of the dinosaur fossil beds. No sign of any dig stuff and cliff face is not stratified like I was expecting.
Looking south to the grey. Monash University does a dig once a year for one month working only at low tide - 4 hours a day - recovering 1,000 dinosaur items
In the space of 2 square feet, found evidence of the intertidal zone richness - 6 different shell types
Next stop Inverloch for lunch. Rain a bit firmer. A few shots from the jetty across to where we will ride later
...and back to Eagles Nest - at least I knew what I was looking at.
And right off the jetty were a few rays - about the size of a large garbage bin lid
We took over a cafe for lunch - rain started as we sat and then eased off for our start.
Stopped in Lower Tarwin to shop for dinner and food to cover 50 kms next morning. This painting lines up the Lancaster bomber to take out the riders at the supermarket. Rain still only spots but enough to need to cover up battery charging ports
Road runs along rail trail and along this waterway - borrowing this photo from next day as the photo taken was out of focus.
Got a budget cabin at Venus Bay caravan park. Budget means no sheets or towels- pay more. TV did not work and an hours fiddling did not get a result.
Raining now - no ride to see the beach. Did communal dinner in one cabin. I made lamb chops bbq.
Forecast is early rain - 5 am - and then clearing.
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Height183 cm | Weight90 kg | Body Fat% | |||
Waistcm | Thighscm | Chestcm |