Victoria's 'Destination Boating'

The Victorian marine industry, which employs over 17,700 employed full time and contributes $4.5 billion to the Victorian economy annually, has launched a campaign to promote boating tourism.

The campaign was launched by the Hon. John Eren, Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, on the front steps of Parliament House earlier this month,  with the release of the first edition of the Boating Industry Snapshot Destination Boating.

Destination Boating targets specific areas of Victoria and points out the boating benefits of those areas.

Steven Potts, CEO of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, said boating destination tourism provides a valuable economic contribution to coastal, regional and country areas with expenditure in a range of areas from accommodation to food and fuel.

"Especially over summer, boating tourism can boost local economies as people venture ashore to enjoy the ambience of coastal or river-based townships," he said.

Roy Morgan Research in 2014 found that 86 per cent of Victorian boat owners planned to take a boating trip within the next 12 months. Which is saying nothing of interstate trailerboaters.

Mr Potts said the Boating Industry Snapshot Destination Boating will be delivered digitally to boat owners as part of an extended ongoing social media campaign in partnership with the regional tourism boards to promote boating facilities and water activities.

Some of the boating destinations highlighted include:
Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula
This section includes Queenscliff, the Bellarine Peninsula with its fabulous wineries and restaurants, Geelong and Corio Bay as well as information on launching ramps and access.

Mornington Peninsula
The Peninsula offers great opportunities for fishing, diving and swimming as well as the stunning cruising areas around Sorrento and Portsea. The Guide offers info on the history of the area as well as boating access from Frankston to Sorrento.

Phillip Island
Although there are some areas around Phillip Island that are designated marine parks, there is still fantastic fishing in the area. The Guide tells you where you can fish and what you can catch. You can also find out where to launch your boat and how to get the most up-to-date weather information.

Victoria's High Country
The iconic Lake Eildon is featured in this section, however, boaters should be aware of the fact that there are more than a dozen more lakes to be explored in the Victorian high Country including the cool waters of Rocky Mountain Lake which, at 1600 metres, is the highest significant body of water in Australia. And let's not forget the Ovens, Murray and Goulburn Rivers!

Gippsland
The Gippsland Lakes is Australia's largest and arguably most beautiful waterway. The Lakes cover some 600 square kilometres and are separated from the ocean by coastal dunes know as Ninety Mile Beach. All around the Lakes are towns with great eateries, pubs, marinas, jetties and picnic facilities. The Lakes is a great destination for the avid boater to explore, fish or just relax.

Melbourne
And, of course, there is Melbourne. With marinas right in the heart of the city, Melbourne is a great destination for a weekend of boating. Visit Docklands, Southbank, the city, or go to the footy. Cruise up the Yarra or the Maribyrnong Rivers and get a good look at the city from a totally different perspective. The city boats five marinas with a total of 350 berths, 70 of which are designated for casual berthing.

Click here to download the Boating Industry Snapshot Destination Boating.

Photo credit: Second photo of a Gippsland Lake boat line-up at Paynesville by Bruce Jennings from the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally, Faebook Group page, with the event scheduled for March 5-6, 2016.