Wye River, Victoria

Wye River is a small town in Victoria, Australia. It is also the name given to the waterway which flows through the town and into the sea at this point. Situated some 155 km west of Melbourne, on the Otway Coast part of the scenic Great Ocean Road, the Wye River township is a popular tourist destination about 15 km west of the resort town of Lorne, Victoria. It became a popular place for Melburnians to holiday after the Great Ocean Road was officially opened in 1932. The postcode of Wye River is 3234. At the 2016 census, Wye River had a permanent population of 66 although its holiday population is ten times that number.[1]

Wye River
Victoria
Looking South over Wye River Township
Wye River
Coordinates38°38′0″S 143°53′0″E
Population63 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3234
Location
LGA(s)Colac Otway Shire
State electorate(s)Polwarth
Federal Division(s)Corangamite
Localities around Wye River:
Barramunga Separation Creek Separation Creek
Kennett River Wye River Bass Strait
Kennett River Kennett River Bass Strait

History

The site was occupied by white settlers in 1882. Brothers Alex and Donald MacRea and their cousin Alex MacLennan were looking for an area suited to farming and fishing and chose this site. The MacRaes settled near Separation Creek, establishing a farm which they named The Wye after a river in Wales and Herefordshire. Alex MacLennan settled a little further west at a site he named The Kennet (later the town of Kennett River) after another UK river.

Wye River Post Office opened on 19 January 1914 though before 1945 it was reduced to just a telegraph office for considerable periods of time, mail being delivered from Lorne.[2] A school was established in the local hall in 1920, but closed in 1921 after the closure of a sawmill resulted in a loss of population. It was re-established in a converted residence in 1931, operated part-time with the Aireys Inlet school from 1935, and closed permanently in 1942.[3]

On Christmas Day 2015 on the town's darkest day in history a bushfire destroyed at least 98 homes in Wye River. At nearby Separation Creek another 18 homes were destroyed.[4] No lives were lost at either town.[5]

Tourism

The area is known for scenic coastal views, beautiful beaches, Otway Forest walks, wildlife including koalas and birds as well as the Great Otway National Park. Active tourism opportunities include fishing and excellent surfing.

The official tourism organisation representing Wye River is Otway Coast Tourism.[6]

There are many self-contained holiday rental houses available. Wye River is an all season tourist destination where visitors enjoy beaches in summer and drives, food trails and water falls in winter. Tourists travelling with dogs are encouraged in many places.[7]

There are two caravan parks, the Seasonal Foreshore, located close to the main beach, and the BIG4 Wye River Holiday Parkin the valley, which is privately owned and operates all year round.[8]

There is one pub, the Wye Beach Hotel[9] (formally known as "The Rookery Nook Hotel") and a general store Wye General[10] which also contains the post office and a cafe.

In recent years, the numbers of southern right whales[11][12] and humpback whales[13] seen around the shores are increasing as the whale populations recover as well as other species such as bottlenose dolphins.

Organisations

Wye River has a Country Fire Brigade and a Surf Life Saving Club.[14] A cycling group called the Wye Riders ride bikes in the morning on the Great Ocean Road. They can often be seen afterwards at the general store having breakfast.

The Wye River Separation Creek Progress Association whose purpose is simply to "advance the welfare and protect the environment" of Wye River and Separation Creek. The association's volunteer committee of 12 meets every few months and hosts a public forum in January that is open to the entire community and the many related service organisations.[15]

Transport

Automobiles are the main form of transport to get to and from the town, via the Great Ocean Road. Within the town, most people walk between destinations. Wye River is serviced by the 101 V/Line coach that travels between Geelong Station and Apollo Bay in both directions.

Media

A few seconds of the 2013 movie Blinder was filmed in Wye River. The scene features a car driving along the Great Ocean Road. The camera was positioned outside the local pub.

Notable residents

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Wye River (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  3. Blake, L. J. (1973). Vision and Realisation: A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria (Volume 2). Education Department of Victoria. p. 1056.
  4. "Great Ocean Road fire: Number of homes lost in Christmas Day blaze rises to 116". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 26 December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  5. "Great Ocean Road fire: Victoria should 'stand proud' that no lives lost at Wye River, Separation Creek". ABC News. ABC. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  6. http://www.otwaycoast.com.au Otway Coast Tourism
  7. http://otwaycoast.com.au/dog-friendly Pet Friendly Travel
  8. http://www.big4wyeriver.com.au/ BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park
  9. http://www.wyebeachhotel.com.au/Wye Beach Hote
  10. http://wyerivergeneralstore.com.auWye Genera
  11. Beckhurst A., 2013 WYE RIVER WHALES. Vimeo. retrieved on 01-06-2014
  12. BIG4WyeRiver's channel. 2013 Whale Watching Wye River BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park on YouTube. retrieved on 01-06-2014
  13. Darby A., 2013 Whale boom on Surf Coast. The Age Environment. retrieved on 2014-06-01
  14. http://www.wyeriverslsc.asn.au Wye River Surf Life Saving Club
  15. http://wyesep.org.au The Wye River Separation Creek Progress Association

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