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, kangaroos and koalas.
Behind the pounding shores of the Ninety Mile Beach and shimmering waters of Lake Reeve and Lake Victoria lies a thin peninsula, covered in shining peppermint woodland and manna gum forest. The park also includes nearby Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands.
Explore the park’s coastal heath and salt marshes, teeming with birdlife. During spring, the ground is blanketed in wildflowers under the woodland. The surrounding waters of the Gippsland Lakes beg to be explored by boat, kayak or canoe.
The park is accessed from Loch Sport by road, or a number of boat entry points around the Gippsland Lakes, the nearest of which is Paynesville. There are jetties in the park at Point Wilson (on the peninsula), as well as Rotamah Island.
Highlights of The Lakes National Park
- Launch your tinnie and head for Rotamah Island for a secluded bushland delight, rich in wildlife.
- Explore the usually calm waters of the Gippsland Lakes by kayak or canoe.
- Spot water birds and waders in the salt marshes along the shoreline.
- Pack a picnic to check out the easternmost tip of the peninsula, Point Wilson, the site of the settler’s homestead.
Walking
A number of walking tracks allow you to explore the woodlands, coastal heathlands and salt marshes for which the national park is famed. Be on the lookout for furry and winged Australian critters who thrive in this protected environment.
On the peninsula, the Lake Reeve Nature Trail & Lookout Tower is an interpreted 30 minute walk through the diverse landscapes and microenvironments.
Romp the Rotamah Loop (3 hours return) from the jetty, taking in Little Rotamah Island and the dunes of Ninety Mile Beach, or become acquainted with East or West End Walks of Rotamah Island, each walk is 2 hours a pop.
Camping
The park’s only campground is found at Emu Bight, on the northern edge of the peninsula near Lake Victoria. Shelter and toilets are onsite.
Accessibility
Explore The surrounds
Paynesville
A waterfront favourite, the town boasts unrivalled access to the water-playground enhanced by its system of canals.
Loch Sport
Albeit a sleepy town, Loch Sport is Ninety Mile Beach HQ, set on a thin wedge of land separating Lake Victoria and the Bass Strait.
Gippsland Lakes
Gippsland’s iconic waterfront is famed for dreamy sunsets, stunning scenery and unforgettable boating and fishing adventures.
Ninety Mile Beach
Visit the wondrous uninterrupted stretch of untouched beach. There is golden sand as far as the eye can see, perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing. Perhaps…
Metung
Fishing-primed and sailing-perfect, the waterfront village is pretty as a picture at the edge of the Gippsland Lakes.
Lakes Entrance
Stunning beaches, vibrant water sports, world-class fishing and family fun have made Lakes Entrance a top holiday destination.