Seaspray, Victoria

Seaspray Victoria
Parks and water are prominent attractions
Seaspray
Coordinates	38°23′00″S 147°10′00″E
Population	322 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	3851[2]
Location	242 km (150 mi) east of Melbourne 34 km (21 mi) south of Sale 62 km (39 mi) north east of Yarram
LGA(s)	Shire of Wellington
County	Buln Buln
State electorate(s)	Gippsland East
Federal division(s)	Gippsland

Seaspray is a small coastal town in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Ninety Mile Beach, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the South Gippsland Highway, in the Shire of Wellington, 242 kilometres (150 mi) east of the state capital, Melbourne.

At the 2016 census, Seaspray had a population of 322.^[1]

Seaspray's main recreational features and tourism attractions focus around swimming, surfing and other watersports, as well as fishing on the Ninety Mile Beach. There is also fishing in the creek, walks, tennis, picnic and playground facilities, and regular markets.^[3][4]

In winter, people are likely to see southern right whales cavorting close to shore.^[5]

The town is home to a Surf Life Saving Club and hosts annual Surf Life Saving Carnivals.^[3][4] In 2015, the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club underwent a $2.6 million rebuild after the previous club rooms had been badly damaged by violent storms in 2007. This first stage of the rebuild included better operational control facilities, a first-aid centre, equipment storage, and a function area with views across the town and beach. Future stages will include a patrol tower, extensive outside decking to expand the function area, and larger storage facilities.^[6]

• 
  Looking across the Coastal Reserve to the town from near the Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), 2016
• 
  First stage rebuild of the SLSC, 2016
• 
  View north-east along the Ninety Mile Beach, 2016
• 
  The SLSC as seen from the road, 2024
• 
  Outdoor seating at the SLSC, 2024

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the Gunaikurnai or Kurnai people, who have lived in the Gippsland area for over 20,000 years.^[7]

In 1943, seven people were injured at Seaspray Beach, two seriously, after a target being towed by an RAAF plane struck a number of people on the beach.^[8]

Seaspray hosted an overnight stop on the Great Victorian Bike Ride during its seventh running in 1990,^[9] and again in 2017.

References

1. "2016 Census QuickStats: Seaspray". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
2. "Seaspray Demographics (VIC) Local Stats". Qpzm LocalStats. Qpzm. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
3. "SEASPRAY information & attractions". Travel Victoria. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
4. "Seaspray Victoria Australia". Gippsland and Beyond. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
5. "Whales off Seaspray". Gippsland Times. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
6. "Seaspray SLSC work begins". Gippsland Times. Fairfax Media. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
7. "We are Gunaikurnai". Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
8. "Shocking Accident at Seaspray". The Age. 28 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021 – via Trove. A target attached by a wire to an R.A.A.F. plane, which was flying at a low level, struck a group of people on the beach.
9. "History of the Great Victorian Bike Ride". Official site. Bicycle Network Victoria. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2012.