WYE RVER - VICTORIA
Wye River & Kennett River are popular surfing beaches 5km. apart between Lorne and Apollo Bay, and separated by Separation Creek. They are at the centre of some spectacular coastline, with frequent look-outs and popular surf beaches.
Just east of Wye River on the southern side of the road is an historic shipwreck grave, and nearby Artillery Rocks is another well known feature to visit. The towns take their names from the rivers in the United Kingdom and were originally called "The Wye" and "The Kennet". In 1882, Alex and Donald MacRae of Birregurra, with their cousin Alex MacLennan of Barwon Downs, Rode from Lorne along the coast looking for a suitable place for farming and fishing. The MacRae brothers settled in Wye, and McLennan went on to Kennet. (The second t in Kennett was added in the 1960's when a sign was mis-spelt. It has nothing to do with the former Victorian Premier, Jeff Kennett.
The two families cut tracks from their holdings through the Otway ranges to Forrest but the difficulty of access led them to abandon the settlements after only a few years.
In the early 1900's Charles Scully began a timber mill at Separation Creek and, while he only lasted a few years, the "Bluegum Timber and Transport Company" took over his business and the first real settlement of the area began. It was not until 1932 when the Great Ocean Road opened that things became more permanent.
Today there is a permanent population of around 100 in the three settlements which swells to several thousand in the summer months.

PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • Scully Mill Farm: Open daily. Studio, gallery, etc.
  • Harrington Memorial Park
  • Old Grave 5km. east of town between the Great Ocean Road and the Southern Ocean
  • Several interesting walks.
  • Artillery Rocks
  • Point Sturt
  • Macrocystis Kelp Forest
  • Historic photographs in the Rookery Nook Pub and at the Kennet Camping Reserve Office
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:


    USE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Wye River and Separation Creek Progress Association
    C/- Rookery Nook Hotel, Wye River. Victoria.

    APOLLO BAY
    Great Ocean Road Information Centre is opposite the corner of Collingwood and Hardys Sts. (on the beachfront). Ph: 03 5237 6529.


    HOW TO GET THERE:
    By car or coach along the Great Ocean Road
    Light plane to Apollo Bay then coach.
    200 km. swim from Devonport in Tasmania

    • © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins 2006