Gippsland Lakes
Nestled in the far east of Victoria, the Gippsland Lakes
Shire features wonderful coastline scenery, a lakes and
river system to match anywhere in the world, rugged high
country, extensive national parks and state forests -
and above all, a warm, friendly welcome from the region’s
community.
Gippsland Lakes has a population of around 40,000 people
and resides in the East Gippsland Shire, over 11,000
of these in the major commercial centre of Bairnsdale.
A 280km drive – or three hours – will take
you from Melbourne to Bairnsdale, the gateway to the
region from the west.
Gippsland Lakes First Inhabitants
The first inhabitants of the Gippsland Lakes and Rivers
knew they lived in a paradise with its fresh and salt
water, abundant fish and wildlife. The area sustained
their life and formed the basis for the culture of the
Gunai (Kurnai) tribal groups for 18,000 years.
This is a unique place where the sustaining waters
of five rivers end their journey to the sea, creating
a crown of waterways studded with gems on both water
and land, and edged with the finest beaches of golden
sand. The Gippsland Lakes and Rivers are a paradise
for boaters, fisherfolk or those who simply want to
indulge their senses.
You may wish to do everything there is to do, or simply
to relax and watch life at the water's edge. Paynesville,
a boater's paradise: cosmopolitan Metung or Gippsland
Lake nestled between the lakes and the ocean. Not far
from these centres are the smaller towns of Nicholson
on the Nicholson River and Johnsonville and Swan Reach
on the Tambo River. Explore Gippsland Lakes and Lake
Tyers bordered by ocean and state forests as it meanders
inland to Nowa Nowa. Discover all of the wonderful waterways
or spend your days getting to know one area intimately.
Driving to Gippsland Lakes
For more great East Gippsland drives, visit the Bairnsdale
or Gippsland Lakes Visitor information centres to obtain
your copy of the Drives Brochure, OR
Freecall 1800 637 060.
The Drives include:
- High Country and Heritage Drive
- Gippsland Lakes & Rivers & The 90 Mile Beach
- Mitchell River Silt Jetties & The Raymond Island
Koalas
- Buchan & Buchan Caves
- Raymond Creek Falls & The Snowy River
- Marlo & Cape Conran
- Croajingolong Wilderness
Why visit Gippsland Lakes?
Gippsland Lakes is one of the few unique and diverse
regions in Australia. It comprises of snow fields, wilderness,
rainforests, beaches, industrialised areas, farm land
and much much more.
With Australia's number one highway running through
the centre of Gippsland, access to the country has never
been easier. From a central location day trips can lead
to an abundance of different events and activities that
can be tried, or spend some time to bask in the glories
of what the area has to offer.
Explore the Gippsland Lakes and soak up the sun on
the beautiful Ninety Mile Beach. Visit the largest concentration
of Open Cut Mining & Power Generation activity in
Australia. Or Journey to Phillip Island and catch a
glimpse of the unique penguin parade.
Gippsland Lakes location
The following pages provide you with information on
different locations within the Gippsland Lakes Region.
There are so many exciting things to do and sights to
see, that we have divided the region into different
interesting localities and themes that you may wish
to visit.
The Gippsland Lakes system with its vast array of waterways
to explore is the most exclusive in Australia. The network
of water is made up of three magnificent lakes, covering
a distance of 60km. Beginning with Lake Wellington at
the western end connecting via McLennans Strait to Lake
Victoria, then onto Lake King and finally, through a
man made entrance at the popular tourist resort of Lakes
Entrance, to join the Southern sea waters of Bass Strait.
This wonderful water system is fed by a huge water
catchment area stretching over large parts of Central
and East Gippsland and includes the major contributing
rivers of the Latrobe, Thompson, Avon, Mitchell, Nicholson
and Tambo. The Lakes include many small Islands. One
in particular, Rotamah Island, is famous for its bird
life. Many bird hides have been constructed for visitors
to use and the surrounding marshland is home to an abundance
of native water birds and wildlife.
A unique feature of the Gippsland Lakes is the Mitchell
River silt jetties. They are among the longest in the
world and run far into the lakes. They are believed
to be formed by silt washed down by the Mitchell River
system, over a million years ago. The Gippsland Lakes
abuts two parks, the Lakes National Park taking in Sperm
Whale Head and the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, with
their wonderful camping reserves and many walking tracks.
A great place to camp and relax and see many of the
wildlife that abounds the area. |
