MY DAY AT RICKETTS POINT

MY DAY AT RICKETTS POINT 



(Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia)

By  Frances Harris

  

Although I have posted information on another blog about Ricketts Point, I promised to follow up here on this one. Recently it was a cool, clear winter’s day when I went down to Ricketts Point for a long walk and a look around.  It’s an unusual beach where you can choose the place and the volume of human traffic and their canine friends to interact with you. Near the point and outside the yacht club is where the majority of people traffic happens. If you want to get away, then further to the west, you can find peaceful low volume spaces to spend by yourself without too many interruptions.



This is near the end of Ricketts Point. This is a major marine sanctuary. It is an area the Australian salmon come in near shore in the cooler seasons. This day was one of the.

  

The beach around the corner from Ricketts Point, walking west.



This is a bush track near the Point. In the distance you can see a flurry of small boats and sea birds waiting for the salmon to move out of the waters of the marine sanctuary. It seems the slippery little suckers were awake to the plans, and stayed just out of range.

You can see here a secluded space on a walk just past Ricketts Point.

You see here a distance shot of Ricketts Point.

A couple of passing swans decided to stop off and join the seagulls and pelicans waiting around the corner.

Some of the clay coastline.

Enchanting rock pools near the shore.

If you enjoy drinking good coffee or chocolate, this is a cosy kiosk, about the size of a functioning restaurant. It serves good food, wine and has fast service.

The walk in this place in winter is very good to look at. In summer it is warm, bright and vibrant. I always like to stop off at the Kiosk to finish a relaxing day.

Port Phillip Bay. (Mentone to Beaumaris) - Series 1/1

                                                          

The Eastern Side of Port Phillip Bay. (Mentone to Beaumaris)

Starting with this series of presentations on Port Phillip Bay, I decided to unfold many of the beautiful features and little known places that make up the State of Victoria. The idea is to reveal some of the best and most interesting points that may not feature in shiny travel brochures. We start with Port Phillip Bay - East, and later will report on reasonably priced dining, from the perspective of the locals. If you don't see what you want this time, be prepared for ongoing updates.  

We start with a walk on the bay between Beaumaris and Mentone. It was once fertile ground for aboriginal tribes who were able to harvest sea produce and enjoy a successful lifestyle. There were ample mussels, fish, crabs, sea urchins and periwinkle. They didn’t have far to travel to reach (now called the Edithvale Wetlands) to find edible water birds and eels. Ancient aboriginal middens have been located nearby, and a protected zone for ancient fossils is known. There is a boat ramp and a pier at Beaumaris where there can be good fishing.

The two most prevalent native trees around the bay are tea tree and Coastal Wattle. The area is residential and there are some beautiful homes on the Nepean Highway which follows the beach line. We will continue next with a closer investigation of Ricketts Point, then head off east around the Bay. Bus is the best transport for travellers who want to come here and are unable to access a car or taxi.

Example of a stunning home within striking distance of the beach. (Beaumaris - Mentone.)

Beautiful beaches and endless sand and open spaces.

Rock pools at Beaumaris Beach

 

Interesting woodlands of Ancient Tea Tree.

A stable descent. There is level ground around the corner so you can walk back here from the other direction.

This was once volcanic territory leaving these formations.

That's it now for this session. We'll be back to show you Rickett's point.