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East Gippsland Coast

Enjoy mild winters and glorious summers in the home of the largest lake system in Australia

Located in the eastern corner of Victoria, surrounded by the unique Gippsland Lakes, the largest inland waterway system in Australia covering some 400 square kilometers and the spectacular Wilderness Coast incorporating Croajingolong National Park which extends some 100kms from Bemm River to the far east of Genoa, Gipsy Point, Mallacoota and Gabo Island and across the border into NSW.

It is an area renowned for its wonderful temperate climate of mild winters and glorious summers and the range of holidays available highlights the diversity of this region.

Accommodation ranges from luxurious to pitching a tent at one of the camping grounds in the National Park.

Bairnsdale City 285 kilometers east of Melbourne an easy 3 hour drive is the gateway to the region. Situated on the banks of the Mitchell River the city with its wide tree lined streets is the service centre for nearby coastal villages of Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance.

Nicholson halfway between Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance on the Princes Highway. Small hamlet with the Nicholson River flowing through offering the chance to land a nice bream or two. Accommodation is available in the tourist park, motel or cabins. Great spots for a family picnic. Or have a meal at the hotel overlooking the river.

Johnsonville approx 8kms from Nicholson on the Princes Highway. I always remember the town because of that blue bream sign on the right hand side of town (Melb side) has been in that paddock for at least 40 years and hasn’t faded? Good fishing in the Tambo River just off the highway. Johnsonville is the starting point for the Twin Rivers Food and Wine Trail – Great local produce and wine. Accommodation is available.

Swan Reach is synonymous with the Tambo River and bream fishing. Accommodation is available at the motel, caravan parks which have modern cottages. Lunch at the hotel. Over the bridge on the right is the turnoff to Metung, (15 minutes) there is a good little picnic spot just over the bridge and you can drop a line in and try your luck.

Metung is a rapidly expanding residential and holiday village set in the heart of the Gippsland Lakes, with is vast history steeped in boats, fishing and a gentle lifestyle, it has drawn holidaymakers since the 19th century. Luxury accommodation to camping with a hotel, restaurants and cafes.

Nungurner  tiny hamlet found between Metung and Lakes Entrance. Good fishing from the jetty. Accommodation is available in various forms or stay at Metung or Lakes Entrance.

Paynesville known as the boating capital of the Gippsland Lakes with McMillan Straits, Newlands Arm and canals providing sheltered moorings for many boats and pleasure craft. Fishing is a popular past time in the Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo Rivers which provide some of the best bream fishing in the state. Watersports including windsurfing, sailing, jetski and waterskiing are also pursued in this wonderful holiday destination which has a range of accommodation and eateries to suit all budgets.

Eagle Point located 10 minutes drive from Bairnsdale on the Mitchell River. Very popular family holiday destination especially during the warmer months with boating, fishing, sailing and water skiing the main activities. View the Mitchell River silt jetties which travel 8 kms into Lake King from the mouth of the Mitchell River. Bluff View provides a magnificent view of the Gippsland Lakes. Accommodation includes caravan and camp parks.

Raymond Island a natural lake island with a small permanent population. Peaceful and bush covered with wonderful wildlife. Access to the island is by boat or car passenger ferry from Paynesville which departs every 15 minutes either side. Take your car over and explore. Range of accommodation available.

Lakes Entrance is recognized as East Gippslands premier holiday destination and home to one of the biggest fishing fleets in Australia which are moored right on the doorsteps of town. Your first impression of is guaranted to be memorable, especially if you are approaching from the west (Melbourne side) the descent down Jemmy’s Point Hill is most spectacular with magnificent views of the Gippsland Lakes System and the Ninety Mile Beach.

Lake Tyers turn off the Princes Highway approx 5kms from Lakes Entrance is a great spot for fishermen and families. The Lake,separate from the Gippsland Lakes is renowned for outstanding prawning and fishing and if you tire of this have a beer on the deck of the pub opposite. A thin split of land divides the Lake from the ocean creating a sheltered swimming area. Set in bushland accommodation is plentiful. Watch the surfers from the lookout platform. Boat ramp and jetty.

Nowa Nowa 22 kms from Lakes Entrance is a timber town set in magnificent bushland. There is good fishing nearby, numerous forest drives and walks and picnic spots. The town has a general store, motel/hotel, caravan parks and galleries. Turn off the princes Highway and take the C608 to Buchan Caves. Nowa Nowa means “Place of Mingling Waters” in the Kurnai tongue. Most people would not know that gold was discovered on Mount Nowa Nowa in 1887 however, only small deposits were found. Nowa Nowa was originally a coach stop between Lakes Entrance and Orbost prior to the railway which began in 1912.

Orbost on the banks of the Snowy River approximately 60 kms from Lakes Entrance is the ideal base to explore the National Parks in the region. Bushwalking, canoeing, fishing, swimming sightseeing and bird watching are very popular. Visit the Slab Hut Information Centre the friendly staff (most of whom are volunteers) are happy to assist you with travel and sightseeing plans. The open fire is always burning in winter. The street scape of Orbost is similar to Bairnsdale with wide streets and older style shops which provide a lot of intrigue as to what might be hidden on the shelves. Well serviced with a supermarket, butcher, bottle shop, hotel, motel spend the time to explore and have lunch in the pub or cafes.

Marlo where the Snowy River meets the sea is a friendly, relatively undiscovered  East Gippsland holiday destination with boating, fishing and all types of water sports popular. Take the kids and catch good size bream from the town jetty or along the river banks. French’s Narrows near Marlo has great views over the estuary and the ocean beyond. There is a range of accommodation including camping and the towns hotel is very popular for bistro meals

Cape Conran Coastal Park 15 kilometers from Marlo consists of 11,700 hectares of coastal wilderness and fronts onto 60 kms of isolated sandy beaches renowned for spectacular beach for surf fishing, exploring rock pools, boardwalks and bush tracks. Accommodation is available in the caravan and camp park, cottages and cabins.

Wilderness Coast
In the southern corner, where Victoria narrows to form a sharp point, you will find a wild an untouched land known as The Wilderness Coast.

From its towering native gums and rainforests to its wild and windy beaches, this place appears to have been suspended in time.

The 86,000 hectare Croajingalong National Park named after the Aboriginal people of the area, runs along this coast for over 100 kms. You can drive down roads that end up at delightful inlets which nature has isolated from the wild ocean with sand barriers, inlets like Sydenham, Tamboon, Thurra and Wingan. Here you can fish, swim, canoe, walk or simply sit back, relax and soak up the natural surroundings

Such a vast area of unspoilt habitat gives plenty of opportunity to visit with our many furred and feathered Australians, whilst unlimited choice of inland and ocean waters to fish.

There is so much to explore in Croajingalong you will need more than a few days.

Distances from Bairnsdale
Paynesville 19kms
Metung 38kms
Lakes Entrance 32kms
Distances from Lakes Entrance
Nowa Nowa 22kms
Orbost 60kms
Bemm River turn off Princess Highway
Cann River 135kms
Distances from Cann River
Canberra via Monaro Highway 293
Sydney via Princes Highway 599
Tamboon Inlet 27kms
Thurra River 40kms
Point Hicks Lighthouse 45kms

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