Anderson Inlet

Anderson Inlet (Boonwurrung: Toluncan), sometimes incorrectly referred to as Andersons Inlet, is a shallow and dynamic estuary in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia where the Tarwin River enters Bass Strait. It forms a 2,400-hectare (5,900-acre) almost enclosed bay next to the town of Inverloch, for which it provides a popular and protected beach. At low tide its intertidal mudflats provide important feeding habitat for migratory waders. It is also an important area for recreational fishing. It is named after Samuel Anderson pioneer explorer the first European to settle in the area.[2][3]

Anderson Inlet
(Toluncan)
Andersons Inlet
A sandy shore with scattered vegetation and a large body of water in the background
The shoreline at Anderson Inlet
A map of Victoria, Australia with a mark for Anderson Inlet
A map of Victoria, Australia with a mark for Anderson Inlet
Anderson Inlet
(Toluncan)
Location in Victoria
LocationSouth Gippsland, Victoria
Coordinates38°38′49″S 145°46′59″E[1]
Primary inflowsTarwin River
Primary outflowsBass Strait
Basin countriesAustralia
Frozennever
SettlementsInverloch

Tourism

Inverloch is an important tourist town, with visitor numbers swelling in the summer months[4] due to the coastal lifestyle and proximity to Melbourne. Anderson Inlet's popularity is hinged on the almost-enclosed bay, making it a protected beach with safe swimming. At low tide the surf beach can be accessed on foot around the western headland. Anderson Inlet is also a popular recreational boating area with a boat ramp jetty.[5] Because of its tidal nature, the areas where vessels can operate is restricted for the safety of the tourists as the depth of the water varies. Knowledge of the inlet is a must to cross the bar and the operators of vessels are required to carry tide tables while going out in the water.[6]

Anderson Inlet is also a base for many walking and cycling trails including the Screw Creek Nature Trail and the Bass Coast Rail Trail which is Victoria's only coastal rail trail.[7] The inlet is close to national parks including the Anderson Inlet Coastal Reserve and the Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park.

Birds

Anderson Inlet is classified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. It supports internationally significant numbers (up to over 6,000 individuals) of red-necked stint. It has also been known to support the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, with six birds seen there in 1998 and two in 1999.[8]

  • The jetty on the inlet at Inverloch during high tide
    The jetty on the inlet at Inverloch during high tide
  • Anderson Inlet's intertidal mudflats are of world importance for red-necked stints
    Anderson Inlet's intertidal mudflats are of world importance for red-necked stints

References
  1. "Anderson Inlet". Vicnames: The Register of Geographic Names. Government of Victoria. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  2. About Inverloch Archived 24 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Anderson Inlet Boating Area Archived 19 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Bass Coast (S) Community Profile - Bass Coast Shire Council". Bass Coast (S) Community Profile - Bass Coast Shire Council. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  5. "Gippsland Ports Victoria". Anderson Inlet Boating. Gippsland Ports Victoria. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  6. "Anderson Inlet". Gippsland Ports.
  7. "Bass Coast Rail Trail - Bass Coast Shire Council". www.basscoast.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  8. "IBA: Anderson Inlet". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.


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