Weekend in Sale

Have a relaxing Saturday afternoon on the "Rubeena" as we cruise the Flooding Creek and Thompson River to the Swing Bridge (1883) at the junction of the Latrobe River. On Sunday we walk around the Sale Common or The Sale Common State Game Refuge. The Sale Common covers approximately 300 hectares, 70 percent of which is freshwater marsh. The remaining area is covered by red gum woodland and grasslands.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE:

• Saturday: Easy, approximately 4 - 5 km, walk on flat concrete and bitumen paths.
• Sunday: Medium, 15 km, plus another 1.4 km to/from accommodation to start of Common walk and 1.9 km to the railway station after the walk. mostly on flat, formed tracks. Taxis are available if required.
• (walks graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: An early start for our trip to Sale, this can be by train or car if you are going for the full weekend or for Saturday only. If you are only doing the Sunday walk, the only option for travel is by car as the train arrives too late. We arrive back in Melbourne on Sunday at 20:45. If you are only doing Saturday walk/cruise or Sunday walk, you may also stay overnight on Saturday. Please only bring items that will fit in your backpack as you will be carrying them around during the weekend and they will be sitting on your lap during the cruise, especially if the cruise is full. We are staying at the M Hotel and you may also leave items there.

• Saturday: On arrival we will walk into town, via the Goanna Savannah before we have lunch at a hotel bistro. After lunch, visit the Port of Sale, our cruise departs at 2pm and will be for 1.5 to 2 hours. On this cruise we will see The Swing Bridge opening at 3pm, after travelling along the Flooding Creek and Thompson River. 
• NOTE: There are 42 seats on the Rubeena, with 30 to 35 being the more comfortable adult number that is sold for the cruise.
• Sunday: 10:00 Departure: Today is a 15 km walk around the Sale Common (start/finish at the Port of Sale). This walk is totally flat with a couple of raised viewing areas. We will start by walking past Lake Guthridge before entering the Common. We will see lots of bird life and also the Swing Bridge again today and we will be able to walk across it. After returning to town, we will have refreshments, before heading off to catch the 17:47 train home.

Note: Additional walking: Sale Station to/from M Hotel (each way) - 1.9 km, 25 min; M Hotel to/from Port (each way) - 700m, 10 min; M Hotel to/from dinner venue (each way) - 400m, 6 min.

BOOKING: ASAP for Accommodation and/or River Cruise. 

• ACCOMMODATION: We have booked one 3-bedroom apartment and two stand-alone queen rooms for the prices listed. The apartment can sleep up to 6 and was the only one left for booking. Other limited options at a slightly higher cost are currently available. If the M Hotel is booked out, the leader will try to get cabins at the caravan park or basic hotel accommodation nearby. The Caravan Park is suitable if driving. To book your accommodation, click on Get Tickets and select the accommodation type you require (or select a Waiting List ticket if the option you want has booked out).
• CRUISE: Please select the River Cruise option ASAP and tickets will be purchased on your behalf and you can pay on boarding. saleheritagecruises.com.au
• TRAIN: Reservations are required for trains. If not driving, book your train ticket via vline.com.au. See PUBLIC TRANSPORT below.
• WALK ONLY: Book by Wednesday 6th April if not cruising, if you have your own accommodation arrangements or if you are doing the Sunday walk only. To register, click on Get Tickets and select a "Walks Only" ticket.
• Visitors are advised to take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to making any bookings.
• Note: Accommodation is limited within walking distance of central Sale. 

Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

CANCELLATIONS: 

• M Hotel: Must be cancelled by 2pm Tuesday 17th March for refund - after 2pm Tuesday - No refunds.   
• Cruise: Must be cancelled by 10am Tuesday 17th March for refund - after 10am Tuesday - No refunds. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: V/Line | M. Hotel | salemotorvillage | saleheritagecruises  | Port of Sale | starhotelsale menu

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 07:45am at Southern Cross Station, Rear car of Bairnsdale train - depending on seat allocation at time of booking. Train usually departs platforms 15/16 Southern Cross.

MAP REFERENCES:

• Southern Cross: Melway Map 1A grid A6 | Google: maps.app.goo.gl/6DEJVBQY9tmKUuBy5
• Sale: Melway Map X928 Grid G6 | Google: maps.app.goo.gl/5tmPVXMa37o3ZjjZ6

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 216 km, approximately 2 hours 46 minutes to drive, 2 hours 51 minutes by train.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Vline train from Southern Coss to Sale and return. Reservations are required via vline.com.au. No MYKI - paper tickets only (or eTickets). You can choose to receive your ticket via eTicket or as a paper ticket collected from a staffed station or agent at least 30 minutes prior to travel, or posted to you (please allow 10 business days for postage). Taxis are available in Sale if required.

COSTS:

• Vline Return Fares: Full: $16.00 | Senior/Concession $8.00 (includes suburban travel) or use a Free Travel Voucher ( Voucher - phone bookings only).
• Cruise: $35.00 Please select the River Cruise option ASAP and tickets will be purchased on your behalf and you can pay on boarding. 
• Accommodation: From $66.00 Twin Share to $176.00 (single or couple).

FOOD:

• Saturday lunch: Cafe or hotel bistro.
• Saturday Dinner: Star Hotel bistro - see menu.
• Sunday Breakfast: Cafe in town or BYO.
• Sunday Lunch: BYO. Carry lunch, snacks and at least 2 litres of water for Sunday's walk.
• Note: Sale/Bairnsdale Trains are now Velocitys, so no buffet car.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.

LEADER: Paul K. | Email LeaderPaulk@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

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