Victoria (Eastern Region)
Lakes Entrance
The sandy barrier between the Gippsland Lakes and the sea was formed about six thousand years ago; when first seen by white men in the 1840s the outlet to the sea was a seasonal, intermittent gap, unsuitable for reliable trade. In 1889 the present stable entrance was opened 6km east of the old one: the artificial entrance effectively cuts off the town’s access to the length of Ninety Mile Beach, and means that it’s no longer really ninety miles either.

As you might expect from the area’s popularity, LAKES ENTRANCE is a big, rather tawdry, tourist town, with loads of motels at either end of town as you enter from the highway. There are all sorts of attractions aimed at keeping holidaying children happy – from Fun Park to minigolf – on the Esplanade, which fronts onto an arm of Lake King.

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The Griffiths Sea Shell Museum at 252 Esplanade (daily 9am–noon & 2–5pm; $4), with its rather off-putting 1950s-style facade, has a huge collection of shells and marine life, as well as an aquarium containing an intriguing assortment of fish from the Gippsland Lakes. Lakes Entrance is also a big fishing port: the Fishermans Cooperative Wharf has a viewing platform where you can watch the catch being unloaded, as well as a tantalizing fish shop.

Beaches are obviously the big attraction here. Lakes Entrance Surf Beach, a substantial stretch of white sand patrolled in season by surf lifesavers, can be reached via a footbridge across the lake to Hummocks Reserve. Of the many lake cruises on offer, one of the most popular is the trip from the Club Jetty at the western end of town, up North Arm to the Wyanga Park Winery on the fringe of the Colquhoun Forest, in the winery’s own boat, The Corque (daily cruise with morning tea $20, daily lunch cruise $25, Sat dinner cruise $35; book at Lakes Entrance Tourist Information, or through the winery on tel 03/5155 1508). 

There are also cruises on Lake Tyers, just east of Lakes Entrance, with MV Rubeena (tel 03/5155 1283); boats leave from Fisherman’s Landing. Other diversions are provided by the local tour operator Gippsland High Country Tours (tel 03/5157 5556), which organizes 4WD day-trips through Snowy River National Park, the Errinundra Plateau and Croajingolong National Park, as well as shorter trips. Eastour (tel 03/5154 2969) and Waratah Tours, based in Orbost (tel 03/5154 2064), do similar trips to the three parks.

Practicalities
Lakes Entrance Tourist Information (daily 9am–5pm; free tel 1800/637 060), on the Esplanade, provides local advice and tickets for cruises on the lakes, and can also book accommodation, a useful service in summer when the place gets very crowded. The two hostels are both excellent and friendly: Riviera Backpackers YHA (tel 03/5155 2444, fax 5155 4558; rooms $19–$45, dorms up to $18), at 5 Clarkes Rd in the east end of town just 50m from the Greyhound Pioneer bus stop, has 24-hour reception, dorms and rooms in refurbished former holiday units, a large kitchen and a small pool with spa. They also rent out bikes. Silver Sands Backpackers on Myers Street (tel 03/5155 2343, fax 5155 3134; up to $45), part of a small, well looked-after caravan and camping park in a quiet location a block behind the Esplanade, has en-suite cabins and facilities for on-site vans, plus a camp kitchen, barbecue area, laundry, table tennis and pool with spa. Late arrivals can ring the night bell.

Most of the motels are as tacky as their names suggest: probably the best of the lot are the brand-new Coastal Waters Motel on the Esplanade, which has its own heated saltwater pool, and the Sand Bar Motel, almost next door at 637 Princes Highway, also with a heated pool and a common spa. Better, and usually cheaper, options are cabins or cottages. Lazy Acre Log Cabins, 35 Roadknight St, is a good bet, with a pool, spa and facilities for the disabled; or Tambo Lodge 9km to the west on the Princes Highway at Kalimna with a small pool and spa. Deja Vu is a good B&B in a pleasant location out of town at 17 Clara St, with spacious en-suite units overlooking the waterway of North Arm.

Places to eat in Lakes Entrance include Egidios Wood Oven, 537 Esplanade, for good Italian food; the upmarket Skippers Winebar and Restaurant at no. 481; Caffe 567, at no. 567 for delicious coffee and Italian-style ice cream; and Fish-a-Fare, at no. 509, an excellent fish-and-chip shop. In addition to wine tasting, the popular Henry’s Winery Cafe at Wyanga Park Winery, 3km from town near North Arm (follow the signposts), also serves cakes and Devonshire teas, cheese platters and other meals; wines are available by the glass at cellar door prices (daily lunch and snacks 10am–5pm, Thurs–Sat dinner from 6pm; bookings preferred; tel 03/5155 1508).

Events
  • Larger than Lakes Festival in January
  • Country Music Festivals in March
  • Rose Day, Nyerimilang Park, July
  • International Kite Festival in October
  • New Years Eve Fireworks in December