Gippsland Lakes
Gippsland Lakes
4.5
About
Australia's largest and most beautiful inland waterways, the Gippsland Lakes are a network of lakes, marshes and lagoons covering over 600 square kilometres. The Lakes are separated from the ocean by coastal dunes known as Ninety Mile Beach. Bird and marine life thrive here, with lake dolphins and pelicans frequenting many locations.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
159 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
36
Average
3
Poor
1
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2
roy v
Traralgon, Australia5,937 contributions
Aug 2022
The Gippsland Lakes are a must place to visit or holiday at in Victoria .
Miles of beautiful waterways fed by about six decent rivers and the only entry to the ocean is the man made entrance At the town of Lakes Entrance which is itself a major holiday destination.
The lakes are a huge tourist attraction, boating and fishing and most water sports are carried out on these great waters . There is a big fishing fleet based at Lakes Entrance that fish the ocean waters not the lake waters.
There are a few lovely towns on the sides of the Lakes that basically survive from the tourism the lakes bring.
Make sure you make a trip to the lakes you will not be disappointed
Miles of beautiful waterways fed by about six decent rivers and the only entry to the ocean is the man made entrance At the town of Lakes Entrance which is itself a major holiday destination.
The lakes are a huge tourist attraction, boating and fishing and most water sports are carried out on these great waters . There is a big fishing fleet based at Lakes Entrance that fish the ocean waters not the lake waters.
There are a few lovely towns on the sides of the Lakes that basically survive from the tourism the lakes bring.
Make sure you make a trip to the lakes you will not be disappointed
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
Melbourne, Australia5,974 contributions
Feb 2021
Attractive series of large lakes offering many holiday and recreational boating options. We stayed at Metung and enjoyed taking a hire boat down to Barrier Landing and back. Also visited Paynesville and Lakes Entrance (including Nyerimilang Heritage Park). Various walks and short drives are also a great way to take in this area.
Written February 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,033 contributions
Nov 2022
Great place to spend a couple of days even when the weather is not ideal. The lookout on the highway north out of the Entrance is recommended for the best view of the Lakes and the entrance itself. There is a huge amount of sea bird life here and the ninety mile beach.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tuccamore
118 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Great place with so much to do and plenty of fresh seafood. Caravan parks aplenty! You can choose between river or ocean to play! Lots of foreshore activities. Lots of coffee shops and cafes! We bet this crowded during school holiday periods.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JK.
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Mar 2019 • Family
You can't really go crabbing or catching mussels in peace without some "locals" patrolling the place and targeting Asian travelers there. Telling that you will get fined if your crabs are under 12 cms and tells you that you need to bring a tape measure for crabbing next time. Pretty much makes you toss your crabs back into the water.
And also harassing the tourists that it's illegal to catch mussels in Melbourne and in lakes entrance and the fine is greater in lakes entrance.
Which are both incorrect. Bear in mind, if you're getting mussels in the water, or crabbing, you probably won't have a mobile on you to search up on the rules/limits in lakes entrance.
Some improvement I would suggest, is to install a sign telling tourists the limits of fish, mussels and crabs that can be caught there.
And also harassing the tourists that it's illegal to catch mussels in Melbourne and in lakes entrance and the fine is greater in lakes entrance.
Which are both incorrect. Bear in mind, if you're getting mussels in the water, or crabbing, you probably won't have a mobile on you to search up on the rules/limits in lakes entrance.
Some improvement I would suggest, is to install a sign telling tourists the limits of fish, mussels and crabs that can be caught there.
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don B
Sydney, Australia4,814 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
The Gippsland Lakes are very beautiful and quite unique. I've seen quite a lot of the world, but never anything quite like this area. It is very beautiful and its moods and light during different parts of the day are very beautiful. We've walked along their shores, gazed down on them from lookouts and sailed on their calm waters with Peel's Cruises.
Late last year we took the long cruise from Lakes Entrance to Metung where we had lunch, then on to Paynesville and Raymond Island before returning to our point of departure. The lunch stop at the Metung RSL was fine with a choice of menu options. The stopover was long enough for us to thoroughly explore this pleasant resort town. The cruise was informative and a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a day on these lovely waters.
Late last year we took the long cruise from Lakes Entrance to Metung where we had lunch, then on to Paynesville and Raymond Island before returning to our point of departure. The lunch stop at the Metung RSL was fine with a choice of menu options. The stopover was long enough for us to thoroughly explore this pleasant resort town. The cruise was informative and a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a day on these lovely waters.
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ppcp19792015
Lakes Entrance, Australia255 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We've lived in lakes Entrance for over 20 years, and love the place. This is where the Gippsland Lakes enter into the sea. I've lived around the Lakes most of my life, and have fished in most places. The fishing isn't what it used to be, but that's everywhere. You can still catch a few, if you know where to go! The lakes are just beautiful, and a great playground for boating, water skiing or just sight seeing. We have our own special dolphins that are only found in the Lakes, and in Port Phillip Bay, along with seals, and lots of sea birds. Come and visit our beautiful Lakes when ever you can.
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis C
Melbourne, Australia2,166 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Over the new footbridge at the base of Myer Street you can find the start of a 3km walk to the Entrance. Depending on the tide when you do the walk, you can use the bush trail which is well formed, although there are sections that have deep, loose sand, that makes the going a little heavy and certainly not suitable for wheelchairs, etc., or you can walk only the Cunningham Arm beach facing the Lakes township. Along the walk you can diverge to lookouts on Eastern Beach (ocean beach) or the inlet of Cunningham Arm. Look out for the historic homes of early fishermen now referred to as the New Works Historic Precinct, and the remnants of the Lady Harriets Barge beached under a protective roof. Just before you get to the end of the walk there is a picnic ground at Flagstaff Jetty if you want to take a picnic lunch before heading back. Just incase the walk back is beyond you, there is an option of ringing for a water taxi at $5 per head (maybe seasonal).
Written May 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul T
2 contributions
Dec 2020
Enjoyed beach. Was free and as Lakes Main had extorted all our money on Xmas Day had no money left .
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth A
Windsor and Maidenhead, UK36 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
This walk took us about 100 minutes - bit longer than the hour we anticipated. The initial view of the 90 mile beach when you get over the foot bridge onto the island was wonderful. It is a stomp through the middle with no views unless you go off piste on the little side routes. There is only 1 entrance that feeds the lake .. very powerful place. Often lots of wildlife present but we sadly didn't see any and couldn't hang around. Great way to wake yourself up in the morning. Recommended
Written August 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the best town to base yourself while visiting Gippsland Lakes
Written September 16, 2020
Hi, could you please advise what is the best time to see the lake’s glowing?
Written October 27, 2019
Hi _X2437AR Lakes Entrance has beautiful sunrise and sunsets. I love them in autumn and winter but I'm bias and love them in any season, but sunsets can be spectacular.
Written October 27, 2019
Hi there are there water taxis from Paynesville across to The Lakes National Park?
Written April 17, 2019
Try Lakes-Explorer Sea Safari & Water Taxi
Written April 17, 2019
Hey guys, is the bioluminescence still visible at night in the lake ? When the water glowing
Written July 13, 2018
maxiwie
Port Macquarie, Australia
Hey guys, is the bioluminescence still visible at night in the lake ?
Written December 24, 2017
Are you talking about the jellyfish? Last time I was out there at night, I could see heaps of them..... but I'm not sure about now. There's a lot of weed clogging the lake system at the moment, so it could be affecting all sea life - the fishermen aren't catching crabs, bugs or prawns at the moment. Hope this is helpful.
Written December 26, 2017
I am coming to the area in October 6-13 2018,with my daughter-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Their ages are girl 9 boy 6, what activities can someone recommend that they would enjoy.
Written December 9, 2017
As the above reviewer said there are a number of mini golf venues, and one also has trampolines. There's also the Shell Museum - it seems a bit kitsch, but it's actually very interesting, I went there when I was about 11, and I loved it. The cruises are good to see some wildlife. And I can also recommend going to Raymond Island and going on the Koala Walk - you get to see koalas in their natural habitat.
Written December 12, 2017
I am taking my daughter to Lakes Entrance for her 50th birthday. She doesn't have much in her life as she is on dialysis 3 times a week, so have reserved a chair in the Kidney Bus. I want to give her the best time but I will have to have a wheel chair for her, she can walk okay but not too far or too strenuous. I know it is a big ask but has anyone any ideas on what to do. Also is there bus tours that will pick up?
Written October 3, 2017
I'm glad you found that there is a dialysis bus in Lakes. There are a number of cruises that she would certainly enjoy. Like another answer, I'm not sure about buses. There is a wonderful paved walk along the waterfront that is easily accessible from the park that has the dialysis bus, and it goes a very long way. The bridge that goes across the lake to the ocean beach is also paved and would be accessible. ENJOY!!
Written October 4, 2017
Hi ,
I'm planning to visit lakes entrance in June. I was wondering whether I can add this to my 'list of things to do' , as I have a 1 yr old child accompanying me & my wife.
Regards
Sachin Mattathil
0411463225
Written May 23, 2016
Sorry not real sure as we have our own caravan so don't look at the accommodation side of things but did notice lots of young families around Lakes Entrance with lots of walking paths.
Written May 24, 2016
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