The tranquil Gippsland Lakes are a system of coastal lagoons separated from the Tasman Sea by the coastal dunes of the Ninety Mile Beach. Seven rivers terminate at the lakes - the Latrobe, Avon, Nicholson, Tambo, Mitchell, Macalister and Thomson rivers.

A favourite holiday destination for many Victorians, days can easily be filled with a range of activities on the water or on dry land. Boating and fishing are what attracts most to the lakes. You can bring your own boat or hire a cruiser, yacht or day boat. Surf fishing along Ninety Mile Beach, or lake fishing from a boat, bank or jetty is popular with Bream, Flathead, Skip Jack, Luderick and Mullet the main fish caught.

Relax with a quiet paddle on the lake or river areas in a kayak or canoe. Take a walk on the beach or through the bush. Go for a swim along the sheltered lake shores. Explore the park west of Loch Sport on horseback.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Gunaikurnai identify the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park as their Traditional Country.

Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Local directions

The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is in East Gippsland. The western section of the park is accessible by road via Seaspray and Golden Beach. The eastern section of the park is accessible only by boat.

Facilities

Additional business information

Heritage
The Gippsland Lakes fall within the boundaries of the area occupied by the Tatungalung clan of the Gunai/Kurnai people. Evidence of their occupation occurs in numerous midden sites containing shellfish remains, charcoal and burnt pebbles. The first European records of the Gippsland Lakes were by Angus McMillan in 1840 and of the seaward entrance to the lakes by John Reeve in 1842. The wreck of a ship, the Trinculo which was beached in 1858, is still evident today west of Delray Beach. Historic sites in the park include the "Honeymoon Cottage" on Boole Poole Peninsula and the blow hole sites on the outer barrier adjacent to Bunga Arm. The site of construction of the artificial entrance to the sea at Lakes Entrance and eel farming ponds near McLennan Strait are still evident today. Remains of more recent activity include survey lines and sealed bores left from petroleum exploration.