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Port Albert, Gippsland's oldest Port established in 1841, remains today as one of the few operating fishing villages on the Victorian coastline.  Located some 225 kilometres east of Melbourne, and just fourteen kilometres south of Yarram, it is a most delightful village with a number of old buildings from the previous century lovingly restored. Some have a National Trust classification or are on the Historic Buildings Register. Despite the loss of many of the old buildings, there is a sense of fierce pride in the town and its history.

"The Port" is frequently promoted as a fishermen's paradise as the protected inland waters provide fine catches. Amateur fishermen back their runabouts down the concrete double ramp, eager to get an early start on whiting, flounder and flathead. Larger boats may venture into Corner Inlet or through the Port Albert entrance out into Bass Strait. The magnificent bays and coves of eastern Wilsons Promontory are accessible from Port Albert.

There is a charm and quiet ambience about Port Albert. The summer dawn is particularly pleasant, when the morning sun bathes a warm orange glow over the old buildings and boats tied up at the jetty. Mist rises as the sea warms to a new day. Fishing boats chugg their way down the channel and out into Bass Strait. The early pioneers would have enjoyed a quiet respite at The Port from their travels over the ranges. The rough-and-tumble days of the last century are gone but not forgotten. Port Albert has mellowed to a most delightful town. 

A most pleasant walk commences at Government Walk, Stockyard Point. Moving northwest one passes the timber shed built in 1876 to house the Life Saving Equipment, the Bond Store (1856) and Warehouse, the Port Albert Hotel (licensed since 1844), and then a series of private residences including the old Port Albert Post Office (1864),  the Derwent Hotel (1859), the Bar of the Ship Inn (1856), past the general Store (1856) to the Old Bakery (1859) faithfully maintained by artist Warren Curry, one of Australia's leading landscape and marine artists, and on to the beautifully restored Gowrie House (1855).

A fitting finale to the walk is a visit to the PORT ALBERT MARITIME MUSEUM (GIPPSLAND REGIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM) , housed in the former Bank of Victoria building (1862). The award-winning museum, recently renovated and refurbished, is fully accredited under the Museums Australia (Victoria) accreditation program. Its collection contains a wealth of information on the maritime and local history of Port Albert and Gippsland. 

See ACCOMMODATION page.
See SERVICES page.
 


 
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CUSTOMS HOUSE INN (HOTEL)
39 Wharf Street, Port Albert Vic 3971. 
Phone: 03 5183 2566   Facebook: Customs House Inn Port Albert
Hosts: Christopher Cato and Jan Chouliaras.

Adding to the many great establishments in Port Albert is the much anticipated opening of the new hotel, “Customs House Inn” at 39 Wharf Street. On the site of the original Customs House circa 1860, Customs House Inn caters for tourists and locals alike! This cosy little hotel has been fitted-out using a variety of locally sourced and recycled materials providing a subtle nautical theme. The Inn boasts a wide selection of on-tap beers and beverage and great wines! Also available through the bottle shop. Food includes all the usual fare and some new and exciting dishes to temp the taste buds! Come try the greatest burgers in Port Albert and surrounding district!
Customs House Inn is open for you from 11:00am and trades till late.
Lunch from 12:00 and Dinner from 6:00. Breakfast from 8:30am Saturday and Sunday. Extended trading throughout the holiday season!
Customs House runs a Courtesy Limo that can pick you up and deliver you back to your accommodation in and around Port Albert!
Accommodation can be arranged for fishermen (and boats) from basic to full bed and breakfast!
Call us on 03 5183 2566 for details. 

FACT BOX

Port Albert is an easy three hour drive from Melbourne east along the South Gippsland Highway. Set some three and a half kilometres inland within the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park, it offers a protected haven from the vagaries of Bass Strait weather. 

ROAD ACCESS 
From Melbourne - South Gippsland Highway through Korumburra, Leongatha and Foster, turnoff at Alberton (well signposted all the way); or east along Princes Highway to Traralgon, turn south for Yarram on Hyland Highway, then on to South Gippsland Highway.
From Sydney and Canberra - Princes Highway to Sale, then South Gippsland Highway to Yarram. See Map.

MOORINGS
Several sheltered jetties and private moorings within the inlet. 

RAMPS
Large double concrete all-weather ramp suitable at low and high tide. Launching facilities of variable use also at nearby Manns, Robertsons and McLoughlins Beaches. 

FUEL AND PROVISIONS
Shoreside Service Station. Phone/fax (03) 5183 2442.
Fuel, bait, tackle, fishing licences, basic foodstuffs.
General Store, (03) 5183 2359. Limited provisions, newspapers.
Port Albert Seafoods, (03) 5183 2432. Fresh fish.

POST OFFICE: At General Store

BOAT HIRE 
The Winch House, on the foreshore, (03) 5183 2394 

MARINE REPAIRS 
Alberton Marine, (03) 5183 2344. Boat engine repairs, parts & service.

ROYAL VOLUNTEER COASTAL PATROL
Port Albert Division (03) 5183 2555

ACCOMMODATION - See also accommodation fo Yarram.
Port Albert Accommodation Services, (03) 5183 2207
Port Albert Hotel/Motel, (03) 5183 2212. 
Seabank Caravan Park, Old Port Road, (03) 5183 2315. On-site vans & cabins.

MEALS
Customs House Inn. (03) 5183 2566.  Fully licenced restaurant, bar. Take away. 
Port Albert Cafe & Winebar,  (03) 51832126.  Open for breakfast lunch & Dinner from 7.30am.   Fully licensed featuring local wines.  An eclectic menu is offered featuring the best of local produce and the freshest fish. 
Port Albert General Store.  Takeaway, food items, drinks, bait, fuel and ice.
Port Albert Hotel. (Burnt, demolished )
Port Albert Seafoods, at the jetty. Take away.  (03) 5183 2007. 
There is no doubt that Port Albert serves some of the best fish and chips in Australia, and hence the world. 'Flake' , a succulent white meat from small gummy sharks, whiting and flathead tails are all extremely popular. 
Wildfish Restaurant, Port Albert  (03) 5183 2007  Exceptional cuisine, on the jetty. 

PORT ALBERT MARITIME MUSEUM
(Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum)
Phone/fax: (03) 5183 2520
Open 10.30am - 4.00pm. Daily during September-May; weekends June-August, school/public holidays.

NOORAMUNGA MARINE AND COASTAL PARK
Covers over 30,000 hectares extending from Little Snake Island in the west to the start of the Ninety Mile Beach. The park provides a sheltered waterway, with sand island protection from Bass Strait. Region is a significant bird habitat , particularly for the thirty-two specoes of migratory waders recorded. The islands also provide a safe habitat for a range of small mammals including the introduced Hog Deer. The seagrass beds provide important fish nursery areas.

LOCAL INTERESTS
Maritime museum, the Old Port, marine and bird life in the coastal park, coastal walk, Curry Art Gallery, the old classified buildings.

Nearby interests: Township of Yarram (population 2,000) with all modern facilities only 14 kilometres north on South Gippsland Highway; the Alberton Historicc Cemetery, 5 km north,  the Tarraville Church, oldest in Gippsland, 8 km, ; magnificent Tarra/Bulga National Park and the Strzelecki Range, 20 km  past Yarram; start of Ninety Mile beach at Woodside; Yarram Golf Course. 

SEA ACCESS
To the protected waters of the Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park; to eastern Wilsons Promontory, and Corner Inlet. Wrecks of the Clonmel and Blackbird. Sunday island game reserve, Clonmel Island and other inlet and coastal islands. 

RESTRICTIONS
Restrictions apply to the marine and coastal park. All native flora and fauna is protected. No domestic animals allowed on the islands. Camping is permitted in some areas. 


 
 
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE OF THE 
HISTORY OF PORT ALBERT?

Old Mellow Port. Peter Stone. Magazine article.
Gateway to the Goldfields. Jeff Toghill. 
Book Chapter from Ghosts Ports of Australia. 

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Find out more about one of Australia's finest artists, Warren Curry.
For a range of marine and diving books, contact Oceans Enterprises
Port Albert Maritime Museum website.

 
PHOTOGRAOHS MARITIME MUSEUM
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