The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve. The park occupies 2,390 hectares of low-lying woodland and coastal heath, consisting of Sperm Whale Head peninsula, Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands.

Things to Do


* Call into the park office in Loch Sport during office hours and view the information displays, exhibits and 'touch table'.

* The most popular of several picnic areas is at Point Wilson, the site of the original settlers' homestead.

* Camping is permitted at Emu Bight only, close to the shore of Lake Victoria. Bookings are required. Phone the Parks Victoria Loch Sport office via 13 1963.

* A network of walking tracks exists and the gently undulating tracks are suitable for family outings. The self guided Lake Reeve Nature Trail, featuring the Lookout Tower, is a popular short walk through several habitats with many points of interest along the way.

* Situated at the beginning of the Nature Trail, the Lookout Tower affords magnificent views of Lake Reeve and the Gippsland Lakes system.

* Many bird species can be observed throughout the park or, alternatively, from bird hides situated at Lake Killarney and on Rotamah Island.


Precautions


* This park has been assessed to have a high level of bushfire risk and will be closed for public safety on days of Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating.

* Many kangaroos and birds frequent the picnic areas but please do not feed them because our processed foods are not part of their normal diet.


For the latest information on track closures and park access, please see the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire smart. Follow the Parks Victoria checklist before travelling.

Local directions

The Lakes National Park is in East Gippsland about 300 km east of Melbourne. The park is located at the eastern end of the township of Loch Sport, 63 km east of Sale. Boat access is possible from Paynesville (5 km).

Facilities

Activities

Additional business information

Heritage
The Gippsland Lakes area was once part of a large bay. Over many thousands of years sands deposited by the sea have formed a series of barriers including the Sperm Whale Head Peninsula, Little Rotamah Island and Rotamah Island. The outer barrier eventually enclosed the bay and formed the Ninety Mile Beach. These barriers are up to 38 metres high and enclose the waters that make the Gippsland Lakes. Aborigines of the Kurnai nation were numerous in the area at the time of European arrival as can be seen by the many shell middens in the sand dunes along the Ninety Mile Beach. The abundant wildlife and mild climate of the Gippsland Lakes provided plenty of food making it an ideal area to inhabit. In the summer of 1840 explorer Angus McMillan reached the shores of Lake Victoria and soon after cattle runs were taken up in the district. During this period much of the area now covered by park was cleared and cultivated for grazing. Through the efforts of Mr F.W.C Barton and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, 1,451 hectares on the Sperm Whale Head peninsula was reserved in 1927 for the purposes of a national park and proclaimed The Lakes National Park in 1956. Rotamah Island and Little Rotamah Island were added to the park in 1978. Natural bushland has since regenerated and much of the wildlife has returned to the area.