Gippsland is Victoria’s largest and least-explored region — a vast expanse of coastline, waterways, ancient caves and wilderness that stretches from the outskirts of Melbourne to the New South Wales border. While other Victorian destinations draw the crowds, Gippsland rewards the traveller who ventures further with Australia’s largest inland waterway system, one of the world’s longest uninterrupted beaches, ancient limestone caves, wild rivers and unspoilt coastal villages where the pace of life slows to a gentle drift. This is Victoria’s genuine hidden gem — uncrowded, unhurried and utterly beautiful.
The Gippsland Lakes
Australia’s largest inland waterway system — a shimmering network of interconnected lakes, lagoons and marshes covering over 600 square kilometres, separated from the powerful Bass Strait by the narrow dune barrier of Ninety Mile Beach. The main lakes — King, Victoria and Wellington — offer calm, sheltered waters perfect for boating, kayaking, fishing and swimming. The lakes support a rich ecosystem of birdlife, dolphins and fish, and the waterside towns of Lakes Entrance, Metung and Paynesville serve as relaxed bases for exploring by water. The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park protects the surrounding wetlands and dune systems — some of the most biodiverse habitat in southeastern Australia.
Lakes Entrance
The main gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and a classic Australian fishing town. A long foreshore promenade runs alongside the Cunninghame Arm, lined with fish-and-chip shops, seafood restaurants and hire boats. Walk across the footbridge to the Entrance — where the lakes meet Bass Strait — for ocean swimming and views along Ninety Mile Beach. Fresh local seafood is a highlight: Lakes Entrance prawns, flathead, and the local whiting are exceptional. Family-friendly with playgrounds, paddle boats and the relaxed atmosphere of a proper Australian seaside town. The Tambo Bluff Walk above town gives remarkable views over the lakes and the ocean simultaneously.
Metung
The quieter, more boutique alternative to Lakes Entrance. This tiny waterfront village sits on a narrow peninsula between Bancroft Bay and Lake King, with water on both sides. Excellent restaurants, a vineyard, small galleries and a peaceful atmosphere that attracts sailors, kayakers and those seeking genuine unhurried lakeside relaxation. Often called the “Riviera of the Gippsland Lakes” — the epithet is earned. McMillans of Metung offers lake cruises that reach parts of the waterway system inaccessible by road.
Paynesville & Raymond Island
Paynesville is the western boating hub of the lakes system. A free five-minute ferry crosses to Raymond Island — home to one of Victoria’s densest wild koala colonies, easily seen on a short walking trail from the ferry terminal. The animals are often visible just metres from the path — sleeping in forks, moving unhurriedly between trees, occasionally descending to cross the path. It is one of the most accessible genuine koala encounters in southeastern Australia. The ferry runs every half hour. Allow 90 minutes including the walk.
Ninety Mile Beach — 151 km of uninterrupted sand, the longest beach in Australia and one of the longest in the world.
Ninety Mile Beach
Stretching approximately 151 km from the Lakes Entrance area to Port Albert, Ninety Mile Beach is one of the longest uninterrupted beaches on Earth — a vast, wild expanse of sand backed by low dunes and coastal scrub where you can walk for hours without seeing another person. The beach is unpatrolled and the surf can be powerful, but the sheer scale and emptiness are the attraction. Access points at Seaspray, Golden Beach and Loch Sport provide entry to different sections. Fishing (surf and beach casting for gummy shark, snapper and mulloway), beachcombing and simply absorbing the solitude are the primary activities.
Ninety Mile Beach Safety
The beach is entirely unpatrolled and the shore break can be deceptively powerful. Never swim alone and always check surf and weather conditions before entering the water. The beach shelves steeply in places. Strong rip currents form near access channels. The safest swimming is in the calmer waters of the Gippsland Lakes, not the ocean beach.
Cape Conran Coastal Park
One of East Gippsland’s most beautiful and least-visited coastal parks — a stretch of remote, pristine coastline between Marlo and Cape Conran featuring wild beaches, banksia woodland, and red granite rock platforms where Australian fur seals haul out. The Cape Conran Nature Trail (4 km loop) traverses coastal heath and reaches dramatic cliff-top viewpoints. Camping here, in timber eco-cabins or unpowered sites behind the dunes, is one of Victoria’s finest nature experiences. Eastern grey kangaroos graze the campground at dusk. Whale watching from the cape is excellent between May and October during the humpback and southern right whale migration season.
Underground & Inland Adventures
Buchan Caves
Spectacular limestone caves formed over 340 million years, featuring dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone formations and underground rivers. Two cave systems are open for guided tours — Royal Cave (impressive formations, beginner-friendly) and Fairy Cave (longer and more dramatic, excellent natural lighting effects) — each offering different geological features and approximately one hour of guided interpretation. The reserve above ground is home to kangaroos, wombats and birdlife, with a pleasant campground beside the Buchan River. Located about 56 km (one hour) north of Lakes Entrance via Buchan Road.
Snowy River & Errinundra National Parks
Far East Gippsland is true wilderness. Errinundra National Park protects Victoria’s largest remaining area of cool-temperate rainforest — myrtle beech, tree ferns and ancient eucalyptus in a landscape of extraordinary stillness. Snowy River National Park features the spectacular Little River Gorge — one of Victoria’s deepest gorges — accessible via an unsealed road that rewards the journey with views of the river 200 metres below. Remote bush camping is available. These are destinations for adventurous, self-sufficient travellers — services and facilities are minimal by design.
Walhalla
A remarkably well-preserved gold mining township tucked into a narrow mountain valley in West Gippsland. Once home to 3,000 people during the gold rush, Walhalla today has a permanent population of around 20 — yet the original buildings, mine tunnels and heritage rail line remain. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway runs scenic steam and diesel trips along the Thompson River valley on weekends and public holidays. Mine tours descend into the Long Tunnel Extended Mine, where 68 km of tunnels were driven by hand. A genuine step back to the 1880s. The drive in along the winding mountain road through ash forest is itself extraordinary.
Mitchell River National Park
Less visited than Buchan but equally dramatic. The Mitchell River cuts through ancient sedimentary rock to form a series of gorges and swimming holes accessible from the Den of Nargun — a sacred site of the Kurnai people featuring a small cave above a cold, clear pool. The circuit walk (3.6 km, 2 hr) passes through stringybark woodland and reaches the main gorge. Swimming in the river pools is excellent in summer. The park protects significant Aboriginal cultural heritage — visit with respect.
Wildlife & Nature
Gippsland’s diverse habitats support exceptional wildlife. The Gippsland Lakes support bottlenose dolphins (frequently seen from boats and the foreshore at Lakes Entrance), Australian pelicans in huge numbers, black swans, and over 300 bird species — making it one of Victoria’s premier birdwatching destinations. Raymond Island has one of the densest wild koala populations in southeastern Australia. Wombats, kangaroos and echidnas inhabit the surrounding bushland. Whale watching is excellent along the East Gippsland coast between May and October, with humpbacks and southern right whales frequently seen from Cape Conran and Marlo. Fur seal colonies haul out at Point Hicks and Cape Conran year-round.
The Gippsland Food Scene
Gippsland is one of Victoria’s most productive agricultural regions, and that quality flows into the local food scene. Gippsland cheese — particularly from Tarago River and Jindi — is among the best in Australia. Gippsland beef, grass-fed on the rich coastal pastures, is a local staple served in pubs and restaurants across the region. The East Gippsland wine region has established a quiet reputation for cool-climate varieties; the cellar doors around Dargo and Ensay are worth seeking out. At Lakes Entrance, the working fishing fleet means the seafood — prawns, flathead, whiting, abalone — is frequently hours off the boat.
Planning Your Gippsland Visit
Getting There
Lakes Entrance is approximately 320 km (3.5–4 hours) east of Melbourne via the Princes Freeway (M1) and the Princes Highway. V/Line trains run to Bairnsdale (3 hours from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station), with connecting buses to Lakes Entrance (30 minutes). Self-driving gives the most flexibility for the region’s scattered attractions.
How Long to Spend
Two to three days covers the core Gippsland Lakes experience. Day one: drive via Walhalla or Wilsons Promontory. Day two: lakes, Raymond Island koalas, Metung or Lakes Entrance dining. Day three: Buchan Caves, Ninety Mile Beach, seafood lunch. A five-day circuit adds Cape Conran, East Gippsland wilderness and the Snowy River.
Best Time to Visit
When to Go
Summer (Dec–Feb): Swimming, boating and beach weather. Book Lakes Entrance accommodation early — it fills fast. Long daylight and the busiest foreshore atmosphere.
Autumn (Mar–May): Mild weather, fewer crowds, excellent fishing. The quietest time on the water.
Winter (Jun–Aug): Whale watching season. Uncrowded caves, moody landscapes. Walhalla at its atmospheric best. Pack warm layers.
Spring (Sep–Nov): Wildflowers, birdlife, good conditions. Waterfalls in the Mitchell River gorge at peak flow.
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Browse Gippsland Tours Enquire NowFrequently Asked Questions
Approximately 320 km (3.5–4 hours drive) east of Melbourne via the Princes Freeway and Princes Highway. V/Line trains run to Bairnsdale in 3 hours from Southern Cross Station, with connecting buses to Lakes Entrance in 30 minutes. Self-driving is recommended for exploring the region fully.
Australia’s largest inland waterway system — a network of interconnected lakes, lagoons and marshes covering over 600 square kilometres, separated from Bass Strait by the narrow dune barrier of Ninety Mile Beach. The main lakes are Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington. Boating, kayaking, fishing and swimming are all excellent on the calm protected waters.
Raymond Island, reached by a free 5-minute ferry from Paynesville, has one of Victoria’s densest wild koala populations. A short walking trail from the ferry terminal gives easy sightings — the animals are often visible just metres from the path. The ferry runs every half hour. Allow 90 minutes for the return trip and walk.
Yes, but the beach is entirely unpatrolled and surf conditions can be powerful. Swim with caution, never alone, and always check conditions. The beach shelves steeply and rips can form near access channels. The calm Gippsland Lakes, accessible via the footbridge at Lakes Entrance, are the safer swimming choice for families.
Yes. The calm Gippsland Lakes are ideal for family swimming and kayaking. Buchan Caves offer guided tours suitable for children. Raymond Island koalas are easily accessible. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway is excellent for children. Lakes Entrance foreshore has playgrounds and gentle beach access via the footbridge. Mitchell River swimming holes are perfect in summer.
The main whale watching season runs from May to October, when humpback and southern right whales migrate along the East Gippsland coast. Cape Conran and Marlo are excellent land-based viewing points. Southern right whales occasionally enter the protected waters near the Entrance between July and September.