The Boomer Bus: 2016-03-16 Heritage Port Water Cruise, Sale, Australia

The Heritage Water Cruise traveled down a man made canal that was made by horse and scoop to an old Swing Bridge that was still in operation. It was also a Marine Bird watch cruise aboard an electric engine boat built in 1920. "Rubeena" was in it's original condition except for a solar battery charger that had been installed and of course many repaintings

The Captain and tour guide, Alan Lewis, was a retired civil engineer who was also a Rotarian and a Master Mason. He related the important role the Sale Canal played in opening up Gippsland (Southern Victoria) to the world as he brought our attention to the water fowl seen along the canal. We saw a Koala Bear high up in a tree, an Eagle's nest, and a Tiger Snake (poisonous) swimming across the canal.

The Swing Bridge was completed in 1890. It was the essential link between the sea, the rail, road rivers and Lake.It is manually operated by only one person. The opening mechanisms is operated by a hand crank in the middle of the bridge and takes a half hour to open or close it.it is the only bridge of it's kind in Australia. It opens on Saturday and Sunday to allow tall river traffic through. Itt is now only used for pedestrain traffic since the M1 new highway passes through the town.