Remnants of the old jetty at Clifton Springs Boat Harbour
Although the main activity at the Clifton Springs Boat Harbour is the launching and
hauling in of many recreational watercraft, other pastimes are catered for in the calm waters as well.
For instance, the suburb's many retirees visit the foreshore to complete gentle walks along the sand. Many dog owners travel to the waters east of the boat moorings, to let their canines off-leash. For sightseers, there's a flight of wooden stairs leading from the beach to an area at the top of the cliff, deliberately chosen for its spectacular views.
Looking out right across
Geelong's Outer Harbour, it is possible to see the flashing red and green beacons that indicate the city's major shipping lanes. The
You Yangs are clearly visible in the distance and often, giant, cargo vessels visiting Geelong, will be on their way out of port and pass right in front of the beach.
Calm and clean waters
Other sights at this location are the pretty rust and sand colours in the eroded cliff face, the purple-headed
agapanthas and cacti that cling to its sides and the expensive, luxury housing along the top.
For those interested in shells, there are millions of tiny examples which litter the shoreline. Gastropods, pipi, turban shells, empty abalone, limpets, whelk, cone shells and cockles can all be found. Birdwatchers will be happy to see the squadrons of
pelicans and gulls diving into the water.
Swimming is not as popular here as it is at other beaches but snorkeling in and around the pylons of the old Clifton Springs Pier, certainly is. Some people ride jet-skis out on the water and
fishing boats can be hired.
8232;Clifton Springs Boat Harbour beach is clean without being the type that is artificially graded by tractor each night or topped up with crushed rock. Depending on the tides, there can be a bit of odorous seagrass dumped onshore but nothing half as bad as the massive piles of rotting kelp found elsewhere.
Dogs happily romp on the sand
Clifton Springs Boat Harbour has a large, free, carpark with extended spaces for boat trailers, a multipurpose, double, boat ramp, areas for boat mooring, a jetty, an artificial breakwater, toilets, fish cleaning facilities, barbecue and rotunda.
It's not a fashionable beach, where people tan and pose and there is no flow over activity from any nearby caravan park but it it is significantly less crowded than the nearby holiday spots at Portarlington, Point Lonsdale and Indented Heads. Access is via Jetty Road.
