Sale is a lovely city boasting the kind of handsome buildings, culture and natural beauty that attracts tourists from across Australia. Many people come here to enjoy the Gippsland Lakes, and if you’re one of these people, the Port of Sale is a truly picturesque start to your holiday on the waterway.

This city of 15,000 has a buzz derived from the fact that it is not dependent on the seasonal whims of tourism. Its current prosperity also stems from the RAAF base in East Sale and offshore oil and gas fields in the Bass Strait.

What does that mean for your holiday? An authentic Australian experience in a town that has resources to ensure all the amenities and experiences you want from a holiday, without the fakery and facades of a typical tourist destination. 

So jump right in, chat to the friendly locals, and make the most of your stay in this unique part of the world. 

Sights and experiences in town

Culture in Sale is centred around the Gippsland Art Gallery, although there are also regular live music nights at the Criterion Hotel and Mister Raymond. For the locals, these are must-attend events, which means there’s no better way to meet the town’s friendly inhabitants and have a great evening in the process. 

While you’re waiting for those evening activities to begin, a great way to soak up the atmosphere of this unique town is to walk or drive your hire car around the streets of Sale and see the town’s historic buildings. They are mainly centred around Foster, Cunninghame and Raymond Streets, and when you’re done you can refresh yourself with drinks or a meal at the beautifully restored Criterion Hotel on MacAlister Street.

Of course, if you’re interested in getting out of the car and seeing everything there is to see, you’ll want to take the two-hour tour on a 100-year-old boat along the river to the historic Sale Swing Bridge with Port of Sale Heritage Cruises. The boat staff are hugely knowledgeable on the history of the area, and are downright fun to chat with – true Aussie characters that will have you laughing and learning all at once.

If after all that, you still feed the need to stretch your legs, you can always take a 15km hike through the Sale Common wetlands (although the walk is broken into sections if you want something shorter). Much of the trail is on boardwalks, making it accomplishable even for less-experienced hikers, and take you across deeper water to islands. Don’t miss the Sale Powder Magazine, an old building reinforced against potential gunpowder explosions and a truly exceptional piece of history in this highly historic region. 

Exploring the local region

As we mentioned above, if you’re visiting Sale then chances are you’re making your way to the Gippsland Lakes – a great decision, because this region boasts some of Australia’s most beautiful scenery and plenty of fun experiences for the whole family. 

If you don’t already have it firmly in place on your itinerary, don’t miss 90 Mile Beach. This pristine stretch of golden sand is one of the world’s longest beaches, and in addition to being home to crystal clear waters and native plant life, you might also spot a rare and endangered Burrunan Dolphin.