Lakes Entrance – a.k.a. Australia's largest inland network of waterways – has all the makings of your next great family getaway.
Image Credit: Main Beach at Lakes Entrance - Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
Four hours west of Melbourne, this coastal town in Victoria’s East Gippsland region is a gem for road trippers and families alike. Its sprawling lake system is made for boating, fishing, kayaking, and more water activities, or you can relax at gorgeous beaches where gold sand meets blue waves. Soak up the outdoors (or hot springs!), wind through the waterways, and taste fresh seafood straight from the source. Can you imagine anything better?
Image Credit: Off the Wharf - Lakes Entrance - Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria
We’ve put together a list of our favourite things to do in Lakes Entrance, so read on below to find out our must-see spots and travel recommendations. Then, book your getaway on the G’day Parks app or online.
ESSENTIAL LAKES ENTRANCE
Beaches
Image Credit: Main Beach at Lakes Entrance - Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
When the sun is shining, there’s no better way to enjoy Lakes Entrance than from the golden sand of its beautiful beaches. At the eastern end of Ninety Mile Beach, Main Beach has the two-for-one benefit of being central to town and bringing 10/10 beach vibes. Eastern Beach also has coastal scenery in spades, while the less crowded but no less picturesque Lake Tyers Beach is just a short drive away.
Foreshore Adventures and The Entrance Walk
Image Credit: The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance - Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria
The town's foreshore is a launching pad for so many activities. Stroll along or fish from the Myers Street Jetty. Embark on The Entrance Walk (look out for seals!) or go cycling along the coast. Take your kids to the playground and water play area. In the summer months, conquer the course at Lakes Entrance Aqua Park.
Boating and Fishing
Image Credit: Golden Beach - Ninety Mile Beach - Rob Blackburn, Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
The Gippsland Lakes are synonymous with boating, and Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, and Metung are must-explore areas. As for fishing, you can book a charter or try self-guided ocean fishing or lake fishing to reel in species like whiting, bream, and luderick.
Boat Cruises
Image Credit: Exploring the Lakes by Boat - Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
Even if you don’t have your own boat, there’s no reason why you can’t cruise the waterways, thanks to local companies like Lonsdale Eco Cruises, Peels Cruises, or Lakes Explorer. You can even pair the water views with a lunch, cheese board, and full wine tasting at Wyanga Park Winery.
Bullock Island
Image Credit: Sunset at Bullock Island - Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
Beginning from the foreshore, walk along the esplanade and make your way across the bridge to enjoy a short stroll around Bullock Island. This place is a natural habitat for birds, so keep your eyes on the skies, and make sure to taste the freshest local seafood when you order fish and chips at the Off the Wharf Café.
Kalimna Lookout
For the best vantage point on land, go straight to the Lakes Entrance Lookout in Kalimna, which is accessible via a free car park on Hotel Road.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Surfing at Cape Conran
If there’s one place that’s most famous for surfing around here, it’s Cape Conran Coastal Park. Conditions at East Cape are usually manageable for beginners, while the gnarly Pearl Point offers a challenge for experienced surfers.
Raymond Island
Image Credit: Raymond Island - everyday nicky, Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
To get to Raymond Island, catch the ferry across from Paynesville (pedestrians travel free). Wildlife and nature lovers will enjoy any of the island's walking tracks, but the Koala Trail is the main attraction. Typically, you can cover the walk in less than half an hour, depending on how many times you stop for koala spotting along the way!
Basin Creek Falls Walk
An hour away in Snowy River National Park, the Basin Creek Falls Walk is a Level 3/4, 2.6km return trail leaving from the Basin Creek Falls car park. Work your way through heavily forested bush, with scenic views of the national park and its namesake river, towards the waterfall. Once there, cross the rocks to the base of the falls (and maybe even have a splash in the pool below).
East Gippsland Rail Trail
Image Credit: East Gippsland Rail Trail - Jessica Shapiro, Visit Victoria
Stretching almost 100 kilometres all the way from Bairnsdale to Orbost, the East Gippsland Rail Trail is an unmissable regional attraction for cyclists. Start your journey from local towns, like Bruthen and Nowa Nowa, or follow the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail for easy access to Lakes Entrance.
Nowa Nowa Mountain Bike Park
Grip those handlebars and pedal off on your next mountain biking adventure at Nowa Nowa Mountain Bike Park. There are 20 kilometres' worth of riding terrain (easy and intermediate options available) and 15 kilometres of dual-purpose tracks for walking and cycling.
Den of Nargun Loop Walk
Image Credit: Mitchell River National Park - Den of Nargun - Batuluk Trail - Jessica Shapiro, Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
It takes a little over an hour to reach Mitchell River National Park, where the loop walk to the culturally significant Den of Nargun is a park highlight. Pass the Mitchell River, waterfalls, pools, and lush gully trails on this Level 3, 5km return trail.
FUN ACTIVITIES
Lakes Entrance Segway Adventures
If you’ve ever wanted to try riding a segway, your trip to Lakes Entrance is the right time to give it a go. Through Lakes Entrance Segway Adventures, take a guided tour over the sandy shoreline (or go through the vines with a wine tasting included).
Griffiths Sea Shell Museum and Marine Display
In a coastal town, it just makes sense to have a museum dedicated to marine life and treasures under the sea. Griffiths Sea Shell Museum has a wide array of preserved shells, sea creatures, corals, and sponges—not only from Lakes Entrance, but all over the world. There’s also a coral reef, model railway room, and gift shop.
Metung Hot Springs
Image Credit: Metung Hot Springs - Ben Savage, Visit Victoria
Only about 20 minutes’ drive from town, the award-winning Metung Hot Springs is your go-to spot to relax. Enjoy hot springs bathing in geothermal pools and bathing barrels, spa treatments, nature walks, and views over Gippsland Lakes.
Koho Floating Sauna
Image Credit: Koho Floating Sauna - Lakes Entrance - Koho Floating Sauna, Visit Victoria
Still want to relax, but prefer to stay a little closer to home? Head straight to Koho Floating Sauna, where you can alternate between hot and cold immersion with a wood-fired sauna, cold shower, and lake access.
Annual Events
If you’re visiting in the summer school holidays, you might catch the Chants Family Carnival. Most years, the carnival runs from Boxing Day to the final week of January, starting at 6pm each night, with a range of rides and sideshow attractions for all ages. Travelling in winter? No trouble, check out the East Gippsland Winter Festival!
Scenic Flights
Image Credit: Lakes Entrance Helicopters - The View From Here, Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria
For the best view money can buy of Lakes Entrance's stunning scenery, take to the sky with Lakes Entrance Helicopters. There are five different journeys available, so you could be soaring above the waterways or flying the length of Ninety Mile Beach. It's bound to be an unforgettable adventure.
Markets
Want to sample the best local produce and handmade creations in town? The Lakes Entrance Foreshore Market is held on the first Sunday of each month beside the rotunda from 9.00am until 3.00pm.
For more local markets, check out:
- Metung Farmers Market, 8am to 12.30pm on the second Saturday of the month
- Paynesville Lions Club Market, 8am to 1pm on the second Sunday of the month
- Paynesville Farmers’ and Makers’ Market, 8am to 12.30pm on the fourth Saturday of the month.
Golf
Image Credit: Metung Country Club - The View From Here, Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria
Keen to hit the green? You’ll be spoilt for choice in Lakes Entrance, with courses like Lakes Entrance Golf Club, Orbost Golf Club, and Metung Country Club nearby. Plus, if you want to involve the little ones, there are plenty of mini golf courses around Lakes Entrance as well.
Nyerimilang Heritage Park
For those who love to experience a touch of history on their getaway, Nyerimilang Heritage Park is the place for you. Across 180 hectares, you’ll find a historic homestead with bushwalking tracks, BBQ and picnic spots, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
DAY TRIPS TO NEARBY TOWNS
Buchan Caves
Image Credit: Buchan Caves - Royal Caves - Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria
Forty minutes north of Lakes Entrance, descend into incredible limestone caves when you book a guided tour of Buchan Caves. There are two caves open for tours, Royal Cave and Fairy Cave, with tours running daily for both.
Orbost
When visiting Snowy River National Park or riding the East Gippsland Rail Trail, make sure you stop at the charming town of Orbost. The visitor information centre – located in the historic 1870s Slab Hut – can guide you through all that Orbost has to offer, before you polish off your trip by popping into Sailors Grave Brewing.
Bruthen
Image Credit: Bruthen Art Gallery - everyday nicky, Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
Make your escape to the alpine town of Bruthen. Walk along the historic main street, with shops including a visitor information centre, bakery, and the popular Tambo Valley Honey, or taste wineries along the East Gippsland Drink Trail. Explore the Fairy Dell Flora Reserve or use this as your starting point to the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
Where to stay?
Don't stress, G’day Parks knows four great parks located within an hour of Lakes Entrance. Whether you want to stay smack bang in the middle of town, quarter of an hour away, or a bit further west, you can’t go wrong with any of these parks.
Woodbine Tourist Park
If you want to stay in a central location, Woodbine Tourist Park is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the local supermarket, main street, and Myers Street Jetty. The local Lakes Entrance Bowls Club is opposite the park, with a bar and restaurant ready for those nights you simply don’t feel like cooking. The park has a range of powered sites (including drive-through options for bigger vehicles), while a modern Leisure Home sleeps up to seven people and is the ultimate luxury for fans of cabins. Dogs are allowed on sites outside of peak periods and holidays.
North Arm Tourist Park
Stay in the heart of Lakes Entrance’s waterways at the peaceful North Arm Tourist Park. Facing the water’s edge, there’s a solar-heated swimming pool, undercover camp kitchen, and BBQs to keep the good times rolling, whether you’re sleeping on a powered site or in a cabin. Anglers can access a private jetty and fish cleaning and freezing facilities. The park is around the corner from local eateries, a supermarket, Bullock Island, and the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum and Marine Display. It’s the perfect solution for a tranquil park that’s close to the action in town.
Mingling Waters
Fifteen minutes away in Nowa Nowa, Mingling Waters offers divine lakeside camping and accommodation. Here, you can chill out by the fire, grab a coffee from the on-site café, and play pool in ‘The Mill House’. The park offers a range of thoughtfully styled cabins, from bunkhouses to a Cattlemans Hut, as well as powered and ensuite suites. If you’re the kind of camper who just wants to rock up, you can even book a camping tent with a queen bed or the extra luxury of a glamping tent. Best of all, there’s a boat ramp on site to launch straight onto the lake.
Marlo Caravan Park and Motel
Marlo Caravan Park and Motel is located mere moments from the Snowy River mouth and a public boat ramp, so you can enjoy boating, fishing, and your favourite water activities to your heart’s content. There are powered camping and caravan sites (including drive-through sites), motel rooms, and cabins available to book, and around the park, you’ll find a playground, fire pit, BBQs, and a boat wash. Surfers will love the proximity to Cape Conran, and the charming nearby town of Orbost is well worth a visit. Plus, when you’re less than an hour out of Lakes Entrance, you’ll be close enough to still reach all the town’s best attractions.
Excited by all of the amazing things to do in Lakes Entrance? One booking is all it takes to lock in your Gippsland Lakes getaway!
Image Credit: Sailing at Lakes Entrance - Destination Gippsland, Visit Victoria
Your next holiday is calling you loud and clear. Trust us, you're going to love Lakes Entrance. Find and book your ideal park on the G’day Parks app or online. Then, start curating your road trip playlist for the journey!
