Gippsland’s iconic waterfront is famed for dreamy sunsets, stunning scenery and unforgettable boating and fishing adventures.
The vast lakes system is an unsurpassed water playground, reaching cult-status for anyone with a sailing, fishing, canoeing or boating bent. Twinkling waters stretch effortlessly as far as the eye can see, making for dreamy sunsets and show-stopping panoramas.
Waterfront Charms
The call of the lakes is too powerful for many to ignore. Perhaps it’s the hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, the many small islands, or the charming waterfront towns. Perhaps it’s the ample marinas, jetties and boat ramps. Perhaps it’s the abundance of bream, flathead, prawns (oh the prawns!), perch and mullet… The lusty Gippsland Lakes will be sure to swell your heart a size.
The Gippsland Lakes are immense, thought to be Australia’s largest inland waterways, covering more than 400 square kilometres. They are comprised of three key lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake King and Lake Wellington. Further east, Lake Tyers adds weight to the area’s reputation as a boating and fishing heavyweight.
The lakes are fed by significant mountain rivers coming from Victoria’s alps, and ultimately make their way to the Southern Ocean through the entrance at Lakes Entrance.
Highlights of the Gippsland Lakes
- Escape to geothermal bliss in the bathing pools at the Metung Hot Springs with bathing pools, massaging showers, architecturally designed sauna experiences, a reflexology walk and bathing barrels.
- Take a sightseeing, wildlife or sunset cruise - there is no excuse to not get on the water.
- Buy fish and prawns (summer months) straight off the trawlers moored along the Esplanade at Lakes Entrance.
- Hire a kayak or stand up paddleboard and explore the lakes at your leisure.
- Discover lake islands only reachable by boat, like the wildlife-abundant Raymond Island or Rotamah Island, a naturalist’s delight.
- Enjoy an unparalleled waterfront dining experience.
- Enjoy picnic-perfect Nyerimilang Heritage Park’s beautiful parkland surrounds and scenic walk.
- Where the Mitchell River meets Lake King in the Gippsland Lakes, naturally occurring silt jetties extend for 8km into the lake, the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Lakeside Towns
Nearby National Parks
The Lakes National Park
Forming the thin wedge of land between lakes and sea, the park is home to salt marshes, wild flowers and some of your favourite Aussies - echidnas, emus,…
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
A series of coastal lagoons and the meeting place of seven major rivers, ideal for boating, fishing, lake swimming or canoeing.
Nyerimilang Heritage Park
Enjoy picnic-perfect Nyerimilang Heritage Park’s beautiful parkland surrounds and scenic walks.
Boat tours, charters & cruises
Metung
Boats and kayaks are available for hire from Riviera Nautic, or take a tour with Lakes Entrance Offshore Charters who will collect you from a private jetty and take you to the best fishing spots in Lakes Entrance.
Lakes Entrance
There’s no shortage of ways to explore those glistening lakes. First time or experienced anglers can take skippered boat charters with Lakes Entrance Offshore Charters or Farout Fishing Charters. Take an eco-cruise with Lonsdale Eco Cruises or Sea Safari on Lakes Explorer, both providing expert commentary. Lakes Explorer also runs a water-taxi service providing access to remote locations.
Venture Out offers a Heli SUP Tour including a scenic helicopter flight over the lakes to Ninety Mile Beach where a guided Stand Up Paddle tour begins.
Peels Cruises offer general sightseeing cruises and run the popular Wyanga Park Winery Cruise. Or hire kayaks from Gippsland Lakes Kayak Hire or Venture Out (who also have stand up paddle boards) to explore the lakes at your leisure.
Paynesville
H20 Tours & Adventures is running cruises around the Paynesville canals, Raymond Island, Ninety Mile Beach, and the Gippsland Lakes, as well operating a water taxi.
Charter a boat for the day from Bulls Cruisers and design your own cruise around the Gippsland Lakes (no licence required). Sail Safari offers Sailing Charters from a full 'learning to sail' adventure to a more relaxed canal cruise around the Paynesville estate