Gippsland Lakes

Overview

The Gippsland Lakes system is Australia's biggest and most beautiful expanse of inland waterways with over 400 square kilometres of lakes, rivers, lagoons and islands to explore.

The lakes were originally shallow coastal lagoons that were part of a large bay but over thousands of years sand has built up in deposits along the coastline and the lakes are now separated from the ocean by a beautiful strip of coastal sand dunes known as the Ninety Mile Beach.

History

Beginning at Sale on the Thomson River, there are three main lakes: Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington and they are all joined and fed by rivers that originate in the high country, including the Mitchell, Nicholson, Tambo and Avon rivers. The lakes include many small islands, which are reached easily by ferry or water taxi from Paynesville.

A unique feature of the Gippsland Lakes is the Mitchell River silt jetties, which snake eight kilometres out into Lake King from the mouth of the mighty Mitchell River. The jetties are a geographical rarity of world renown.

Places of interest

Lake Victoria in Paynesville
Lake King near Metung
Lakes Entrance

Accommodation

A vast range of water side and on water accommodation options There are several boat charter companies, many rental holiday homes and B&Bs.

Contact East Gippsland Visitor Information Centre
Telephone: 1800 637 060 or International: +61 (3) 5155 1966
Website: www.discovereastgippsland.com.au
Email: lakesvic@egipps.vic.gov.au

Back to Regional Tour list