Lakes Entrance sits at the eastern end of the Gippsland Lakes, beside Ninety Mile Beach, where the lakes meet the Southern Ocean. The Gippsland Lakes are a network of connected waterways that includes Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria and Lake King. The Port of Gippsland Lakes covers 420 square kilometres.
The foreshore suits a walk or picnic, and visitors can cross the footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach. A lookout and time on the water offer other options. Boat cruises and fishing trips make longer outings on the lakes; paddleboats and mini golf fit shorter visits and mixed-age groups.
Choose accommodation near the places you expect to visit most. Check access, opening hours and availability with operators before booking. Public jetties around the lakes often have nearby toilets, picnic areas and drinking water, but facilities differ by location.
Beach, lake and boating-channel conditions change with the weather. The surf at Ninety Mile Beach has different hazards from the calmer water within the lakes. Check local signs and current beach conditions before swimming. Before taking a boat out, read current Gippsland Ports notices to mariners and Marine Safety Victoria’s recreational boating advice. Check the forecast on the day and use the East Gippsland Emergency Dashboard for bushfire, flood, storm and travel-disruption alerts.
Beaches and swimming
Lakes Entrance has two distinct waterside settings. Ninety Mile Beach is an ocean surf beach, while the Gippsland Lakes and North Arm are sheltered waterways with different conditions and hazards. Read signs, assess the water and use current local information before swimming.
A footbridge links the town centre to Ninety Mile Beach. Visit East Gippsland reports lifesaver patrols during summer, although it does not publish patrol dates or hours. Use current beach information to confirm whether patrols are operating before choosing a swimming spot.
Stay near the footbridge for regular access to the surf beach. Accommodation near the town waterways may better suit boating, walking and lakeside dining. Confirm beach access, parking and facilities with the accommodation provider.
Entrance Bay access and hazards
Entrance Bay is a picnic destination in Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, reached by a short canoe, kayak or boat trip from Lakes Entrance. Parks Victoria warns of strong currents, shallow water, rough surf and submerged obstacles. It is not a protected swimming area.
Parks Victoria lists uneven ground and ticks as site hazards and prohibits dogs and camping at Entrance Bay. Check Parks Victoria’s Entrance Bay information for current conditions and visitor notices before leaving.
Parks Victoria reports deer-control ground shooting at Entrance Bay while the park remains open. Read current park notices before travelling. Parks Victoria provides all-terrain and beach wheelchairs in its parks; contact the authority to confirm suitable equipment and access arrangements for Entrance Bay.
Explore the lakes
The Gippsland Lakes offer foreshore walks, paddling and boat trips away from the surf beach. Cunninghame Arm runs alongside the Lakes Entrance town centre, with public jetties and boardwalks along its foreshore for walking and watching boats. Paddle craft can be launched there.
Wind conditions change through the year. Gippsland Ports identifies prevailing south-westerly winds in winter and south-easterly winds in summer. Check the forecast and local marine conditions before going onto the water.
Jemmy’s Point Lookout overlooks the town, the lakes and the entrance. Nearby, Nyerimilang Homestead and Park has grounds and views across the water. Check Parks Victoria’s current access information before travelling.
Lake Tyers lies east of Lakes Entrance. It is a separate estuary, not a boating route into the main Gippsland Lakes, as Visit Gippsland Lakes confirms.
Fishing and boating
Visitors can fish on the lakes and coast, take out paddle craft or join cruises. Before fishing, check the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide for rules that apply to the waterway and fishing method. A Victorian recreational fishing licence is required unless an exemption applies.
From the Lakes Entrance foreshore, visitors can hire paddleboats and catamarans or join sightseeing, wildlife and lunch cruises. Each operator sets its own routes, fares and departure times. Check the current schedule and route conditions before booking. Cruises may see dolphins and seals, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Strong winds can change routes or cancel departures.
For powered hire boats, ask the operator which licence and boating-experience requirements apply to the vessel.
Boating safety
The sheltered parts of the Gippsland Lakes suit many boating activities. The Lakes Entrance ocean entrance and bar need much more careful planning. Gippsland Ports warns that the entrance and bar are extremely dangerous in some conditions and that small boats face particular risk. Mariners intending to cross the bar should contact the local coastguard and complete a radio check.
Before boating, check Gippsland Ports notices, marine conditions and the Gippsland Lakes Boating Guide. Wind can build quickly across open lakes. Shallow water and moving shoals require close attention to charts, markers and local conditions.
Public jetties have time limits. A boat ramp or jetty near a destination does not guarantee a berth. Confirm mooring arrangements and availability before planning a stop.
