The small fishing and holiday town of Nelson is located on the Glenelg River, just 4 kilometres east of the state border with South Australia and around 70 kilometres north-west of Portland. Nelson's town centre includes a hotel, general store, roadhouse and a visitor information centre. The river flows through the town centre and there are scenic parks, jetties and boat ramps along the river banks. Cruise operators offer informative trips along the Glenelg River for visitors, and well worth experiencing is the journey through the 15 kilometre limestone river gorge with cliffs up to 50 metres high rising on both sides of the river. As the Glenelg River heads south of Nelson's town centre, it empties into Oxbow Lake which then has an outlet into the Southern Ocean. There are sandy beaches along the lake shore and at the river mouth which offer sheltered swimming. Swimming is not advised at the ocean beach due to dangerous undertows. Nelson is a central base from which to explore numerous attractions in the region.
The town centre of Nelson is a short 10 minute walk from Casuarina Cabins, and hosts a pub, post office, general store, roadhouse, river cruises, canoe hire and boat hire. A quick two minute walk from the cabins will take you to the Glenelg river, where there are many jetties from which to fish, boat ramps to launch vessels and magnificent natural cliff formations. The 250km Great South-West Walk passes nearby the cabins, allowing for some great afternoon strolls through the National Park, alongside the river. In our own front garden at Casuarina Cabins is a significant piece of local history - part of the capstan (turntable) which, powered by horses, used to draw a punt across the river. Our facilities include sheltered gas BBQ and wood fire and laundry. Linen hire is also available. Casuarina Cabins is the ideal getaway retreat, with parking for your boat or trailer right alongside your cabin. We're ideally situated for walking groups wanting a base camp or a mid-way stop for walkers on the Great South West walk to "recharge the batteries".