wilsons promontory

 

Yanakie is the last township before Wilsons Promontory, 192 kms south east of Melbourne.

 

There are approximately 250 people living in the Yanakie Parish which stretches from the Waratah Bay turn off at Soldiers Road in the North West to the Prom Gate in the South East, and from the Shallow Inlet and Bass Straight in the West and Corner Inlet to the East.

 

The majority of the population is involved in dairy farming and a few large scale beef properties, and there is a variety of small business ventures focused on the tourism industry.

 

In the Yanakie township you will find: > a picnic and barbeque area > a children’s playground > public toilets – next to the hall > tennis courts for hire > hall – available for hire > tourist information > general store, and petrol

 

Corner Inlet Campdraft is held annually in February in the Reserve next to the hall.

 

The Yanakie Progress Association is establishing indigenous (local) wildflower gardens the length of the main street with the assistance from the South Gippsland Shire Council.

 

Aboriginal History:

 

The Brataualong clan of the Kurnai (Ganai) nation lived in this area alongside the Bunuron of the Kulin nation for 10,000 to 20,000 years. Aboriginal people still play an active caretaker role over public land in the area. Shell middens are found throughout coastal areas in the district.

 

Places to go:

 

Things to do (all distances are quoted from the general store) > Shallow Inlet Foreshore Reserve – 7 kms > Hourigan Camp Lane to Shallow Inlet (via Millar Road) – 4.8 kms > Boat ramp and picnic area (via Foley Road) – 8.2 kms > Foley Road circuit walk – 7.2 kms

 

Dairy Industry:

 

The farms on the Yanakie isthmus are of varying sizes. Some are very large enterprises providing significant employment opportunities. The majority of farms have Holstein Friesian cows with a couple of farms preferring the Jersey breed. Cross breeding of Friesian and Jersey is also a common practice.

 

Dairy herds in Yanakie are predominately pasture fed and supplemented with grain, grain based pellets or other mixed rations during pasture shortfalls. Spring surplus pasture is conserved as silage, either in a pit that is covered with plastic sheeting to form an airtight seal or in round bale form and wrapped with plastic. In late Spring or early Summer, when the temperature is higher, pasture can be conserved as hay.

 

Most dairy farms in Yanakie supply milk to Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co Limited, a 100% Australian dairy farmer owned company. This company markets under the “Devondale” brand. Remember, next time you enjoy a Devondale product, it may be made from milk produced on a Yanakie dairy farm.

 

Tourism Industry:

 

Yanakie has the fastest growing tourist industry in South Gippsland. 10 years ago there were approximately 10 beds available for tourists. This has now grown to approximately 440 beds.

 

Yanakie, the entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park, is becoming a favourite holiday destination for a steadily growing number of travellers. Tourists are radiply discovering the beauty of Yanakie and flock to the area for many activities including fishing, boating, swimming, bird watching, bushwalking and of course to visit the world famous Wilsons Prom.

 

Yanakie is a perfect holiday destination which is centrally located to a wide variety of South Gippsland’s attractions.

 

Yanakie History:

 

Several graves associated with Yanakie Station, where a homestead was built in 1852 by Richard Bennison, is located West of the Prom Gate. In the 1920′s the grasslands, known as the Yanakie Run, were made available for agistment. Land clearing commenced in 1954 and farms were taken up by soldier settlers between 1958 and 1965 under the Government Land Settlement Scheme. East of Promontory Road were soldier settlers, West of Promontory Road were allotted under the Land Settlement Act of 1959 taken up 1961 to 1965.

 

Wildflowers and Wildlife:

 

Eucalyptus kitsoniana (Gippsland Mallee or Bog Gum) is restricted to a few near coastal sites in southern Victoria. This multi-stemmed small tree can be seen on road sides and in the local bushland. A very prickly shrub – Cyathodes juniperina (Yanakie Berry / Crimson Berry) is also restricted to a few near coastal sites around Corner Inlet. The Yanakie bushland, some of which is protected on coastal reserves and road sides, is very valuable habitat for many birds ranging from superb Blue Wrens to White Bellied Sea Eagles. It is also home for the tiny mouse-like marsupial Mouse – the antichinus, for various Possum species, Swamp Wallabies and various snakes including Tiger Snakes.

 

Yanakie CFA:

 

The fire brigade is participating in an innovative project of fuel reduction and regeneration burns along the Meeniyan – Promontory Road.

 

Prom Plains Landcare Group:

 

This group has liaised with VicRoads in the removal of pine trees along the road sides. Annual direct seeding projects have resulted in windbreaks of indigenous trees and shrubs along farm fence lines.

 

Walking Tracks:

 

Foley Road Circuit Walk – Walk down the track for about 200 metres to a viewing platform, then continue down the track to the water where you can walk around the little inlets or fish off the rocky areas. Boat Ramp to Duck Point Walk – From the Left of the Boat Ramp walk to Duck Point. Hourigan Camp Lane Walk (off Millar Road) – Walk to Shallow Inlet beach.

 

Stay at Bass View Cabins, Black Cockatoo Cottages, Buln Buln Holiday Cabins, Coastal View Cabins – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coastal-View-Cabins-Yanakie-Wilsons-Promontory/113098175395502?ref=ts&fref=ts , Elouera Cottage by the Sea, Just Inside The Gate – http://www.facebook.com/JustInsidetheGate?ref=ts&fref=ts , Lester Homestead, Prom Gate Vista Cabins – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prom-Gate-Vista-Cabins/7434626681?ref=ts&fref=ts , Promegranite Beach House, Red Bluff Retreat, Tidal Dreaming Seaview Cottages, Tingara View Cottages, Top of the Prom, Wilsons Prom Retreat or Yanakie Caravan Park.

 

Please upload your Yanakie photos and write a comment about your holiday in Yanakie – https://www.facebook.com/groups/11955880942/