Sale lies at the heart of the Gippsland region, stuck somewhere between east, south and central Gippsland. Maybe this is why Sale and the Thompson River join the Gippsland Lakes in this location. Sale, Vic was once a thriving oil town and the headquarters for Esso in this region.
Oil plays a smaller part these days, having been replaced as the major employer by the local East Sale RAAF Base and a high-security prison just out of the town. Sale remains a great spot to visit or stop as the gateway to the 90-mile beach, Gippsland Lakes and beyond towards the New South Wales border. Let us have a look at some things to do in Sale Victoria.
The top things to do in Sale Victoria
While many people focus on the best things to do near Sale Vic there are so many amazing things to do in Sale. Short trips are still recommended on your trip to Sale but here are all the things to do in the Sale township.
Take a walk around Lake Guthridge
Lake Guthridge in Sale is an artificial lake measuring 850 meters long and 400 meters at its widest. The lake was originally a bog and turned into a water supply for earlier settlers. Today the lake has a walking track around it with exercise equipment spread out at different points and is one of the best things to do in Sale on a sunny day.
Each year, Fisheries Victoria release trout and bass into the lake, making it a great spot to stop with the kids. A walk at Lake Guthridge is one of the best things to do in Sale.
Sale things to do – Lake Guyatt cultural trail
As you walk around Lake Guthridge a trail will take you off to also include Lake Guyatt. Here you will find the Lake Guyatt Cultural Trail.
As you walk there will be signs educating you on the local Gunai-Kurnai tribe who are the traditional owners of the Sale and Gippsland region. You will learn how they used native plants and bush for their daily living needs.
Sale Botanical Gardens
The Sale Botanical Gardens are located on the east bank of Lake Guthridge, near the Sale Swimming pool. The Sale Botanic Gardens originated in 1860 and today feature beautiful gardens, grassed areas, paved walking areas, a playground (including flying fox), free Tennis Courts, undercover picnic areas, sculptures, sensory garden, elm forest and a small water play area for hot days.
The Botanical Gardens in Sale really are a great spot to stop for a rest relax, have something to eat and enjoy the area.
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Things to do in Sale Gippsland – Join the Sale Park run
Park Runs are becoming popular in every town across the world and the Sale Park Run is no different. Held at the Sale Botanical Gardens every Saturday morning from 8.00 am this local group is one of the best things to do in Sale to meet new people and socialise. The group meets at the Leaf Soundshell in the gardens.
Visitors are welcome, just remember to have your scannable barcode so you can record your time.
Gippsland Regional Art Gallery
The Gippsland Art Gallery was established in 1965. Over the years it has moved to a few different locations in Sale before now calling the Port of Sale building a permanent home. The Gippsland Art Gallery is situated at the Port of Sale, overlooking stunning waterways and parkland.
Every year the Gallery hosts around twenty exhibitions of local, national and international significance, combined with the ongoing permanent collection. In 2021 the gallery hosted the Archibald exhibition, the Archibald is awarded to the best portrait, ‘preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australia
Sale Swing Bridge
The swing bridge is a Heritage Listed piece of infrastructure built in the late 1880s. The Sale Swing Bridge was the first movable bridge in Victoria. Before the Swing Bridge was built a punt had been used to move traffic across the Thomson River. Today the Swing Bridge is closed to traffic after the road was diverted over a decade ago.
The area around the Swing Bridge has been redeveloped with a car park, picnic area and information sign regarding the local Koori people. Sale Swing Bridge is a great place for a picnic or a spot for fishing. The Sale Swing Bridge also marks the end of a walking/biking path that leads out from the Port of Sale.
Sale Attraction – Port of Sale
The now rejuvenated Port of Sale precinct is home to a skate park, basketball court, playground, BBQ area and promenade along the water. You can pull up and do a spot of fishing (you are most likely to catch a Carp) and even launch your boat.
The walking track to the swing bridge also starts from here. If you are thirsty or hungry, the Port of Sale Building has a café. You can grab a seat and look over the Port of Sale from an elevated position. A BBQ and a spot of fishing is a great way to spend an afternoon in the Sale.
The Sale Sunday Market
One of the largest Gippsland markets full of a variety of stalls from local produce to handmade candles and bric-a-brac. This amazing volunteer-run market has been operating for nearly 45 years and has a hamburger stall that donates to local charities.
The Sale Sunday Market is held every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Thomson River Canal Reserve (walking distance from the Port of Sale) from 7 am to 1 pm.
Things to do in Sale – Port of Sale Heritage Cruise
The Rubeena will take you back in time as you glide through the water on your Port of Sale Heritage cruise down towards the Sale Swing Bridge. Gum trees and wetlands line the banks of the Thomson River and a cruise down the Thomson is one of the best things to do in Sale.
Chatting to the Skipper, Alan, we discovered that Alan has spent most of his life in Sale and has a keen interest in local history. Alan was the town engineer in Sale, Victoria for many years until the mid-1990s. You will learn about the local history of the area, the Gippsland Waterways and experience local wildlife including Koalas.
Read our detailed review: Take a Port of Sale Heritage Cruise
Watch a movie in Sale
The Sale Cinema complex has 3 cinemas showing the latest movie blockbusters and is one of the best things to do in Sale for movie fans. There is one large full-sized cinema and two smaller cinemas for viewing movies.
There is a snack bar selling popcorn, ice cream, drinks and of course favourites like fantails and jaffas. The cinema is fairly old and dated in parts but still provides a good big-screen experience
Shopping in Sale
The Gippsland Centre Sale is a small to medium-sized shopping complex featuring brands such as Target, Woolworths, Reject Shop, Best n Less and more. Just outside surrounding the car park, you will find Harvey Norman, Bunnings and Pet Barn. Raymond Street in Sale is the main shopping street with banks, small independent stores cafes and more.
Sale Water Tower Museum
The old Sale Water Tower was built in the late 1800s as a water storage facility, today the tower is home to a museum and viewing platform. Located in the beautiful Victory park, the museums showcase the history of the water supply in the town. It is open on weekends. Sale is home to a number of small, quirky museums such as the signal tower museum and the Sale Powder magazine.
Things to do around Sale Vic – Watch the Greyhounds Run
Every Sunday afternoon, the Sale Greyhounds have a twilight meeting starting around 4.30 pm and catching the races is one of the best things to do in Sale on a summer night. The weekly meeting at the Sale Greyhound Club is one of the most popular events in the area. With onsite TAB facilities, bistro and gaming machines, it makes a sensation evening out.
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The Sale Makers Market (Sale Producers Market)
This fantastic producers market is held every 3rd Saturday at the Sale Showgrounds (next door to the Greyhound track) from 8 am to 1 pm. Stallholders come from all over Gippsland to sell their handmade crafts or locally produced fine foods.
In the winter the Sale Producers Market is held in the pavilions at the show grounds,
Play golf in Sale
The Sale Golf course, much like many of the great Australian courses, is located on a sand belt. The par 70 course features gently rolling fairways and quick greens that will challenge golfers of all abilities, from the weekend hacker through to the serious competitor. The golf club features a modern clubhouse, pro shop and lawn bowls facilities. If you love golf here you will find one of the best things to do in Sale!
Gipplsand Armed Forces Museum
Located 10 km’s out of Sale at the West Sale aerodrome, you will find this magnificent Armed Forces Museum. It highlights the contribution the small towns of Gippsland gave to all of the wars.
It holds many locally donated items from families in the district and some amazing stories including the Aberfeldy plane crash from WWII. See if one of the volunteers can spend some time with you and you will learn some amazing stories.
There is a small entrance fee to enter the museum.
Fun things to do in Sale – Aqua Energy Sale
One of the best things to do in Sale with kids on a wintery day is a visit to Aqua Energy Sale. Here you will find a heated pool where they can have a splash and work off some energy.
At Aqua Energy Sale you will also find a heated lap pool, therapy pool, gym and if you are visiting Sale in summer there is also an outdoor pool.
Sale Wetlands
One of the most popular things to do in Sale is a wander around the Sale Wetlands Reserve.
Catch a show at The Wedge
The Wedge is the local theatre and here you will find some great shows both local and touring. You can find all of the shows they have coming up on their website.
The Wedge features shows for both adults and kids.
Where to eat in Sale
Sale has a range of food options including sports clubs, pubs, international cuisine and fast food options for you to choose from. Here are some of the best places to eat in Sale Vic.
Traditional: try Sporting Legends on the highway and the Star Hotel for traditional pub fare.
International: try the Viet Kitchen in the mall area and Thai@Sale on the Princes Highway
Takeaway: McDonald’s and KFC are both located on the Princes Highway
Where to stay in Sale Vic
Sale has a range of hotels, apartments and a caravan park for visitors to stay in.
How to get to Sale by car
Sale is located on the Princes Highway, 215 kilometres east of Melbourne
How to get to Sale by train
V-Line runs 3 trains a day between Melbourne and Sale
Don’t just drive through Sale stop look and listen for all the great things to see in Sale Victoria
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland on our amazing hometown in Gippsland Australia has made you want to visit.
For more incredible ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our Central Gippsland page for more brilliant Gippsland inspiration