East Gippsland acknowledges the Gunaikurnai, Monero and the Bidawel people as the Traditional Custodians of the land that encompasses East Gippsland Shire. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in East Gippsland, their Elders past and present.
Water Based Activities
There is an abundance of water based activities to satisfy all ages across the region. Try your luck at fishing, paddle your kayak or canoe down a river, hold onto your raft as you hit the rapids, cruise around the lakes in your boat, sail into the sunset, or maybe just sit back and watch the kids splash around at the water park.
Canoeing, Kayaking & Rafting
Explore the Gippsland Lakes on a guided kayak tour with everything provided. Paddle through rivers and estuaries around Mallacoota; admire the bird life on the Bottom or Top Lake or paddle to a breakfast spot via North Arm in Lakes Entrance. Start the adrenalin pumping with some white water rafting on the mighty Snowy River or take a guided rafting experience down the Mitchell River. Or for the really adventurous, try white water rafting on the Mitta Mitta River in the majestic Alpine National Park.
The Gippsland Lakes is highly suitable for sea kayaking with multiple starting and exit points, great camp sites, no tides and a prevailing SW wind which is ideal for being pushed along. Lots of wildlife and protection from land on both sides.
Why not try a Fishing Charter on the Lakes, or hire a canoe or kayak, which is a great way to enjoy some magnificent views. Paddle to Lonely Bay on Lake Tyers and enjoy a rainforest walk or just glide through the sheltered waters over the shallows and see large Flathead and Bream in their natural surroundings.
Explore Lake Tyers with some suggested canoe trips that will suit those who love to exlore, fish or just enjoy the natural beauty of this area. Take a paddle from Metung across Bancroft Bay to Nungurner via Chinamans and Box Creek, with dolphins your frequent escort on this 3hr paddle.
Fishing
East Gippsland offers excellent fishing for those with a rod and reel, and in season you can catch a feed of prawns or go crabbing. Whether you dangle a line over the side of a boat, cast off a jetty or let the waves roll over your feet on Ninety Mile Beach, you are likely to bring in a catch.
The Gippsland Lakes and river systems at Paynesville, Metung, Nicholson, Swan Reach, Johnsonville, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Marlo, Bemm River, Cann River, Mallacoota and many more locations can reward your efforts with bream, mullet, flathead, luderick and trevally. From Orbost through to Mallacoota, fish for seasonal perch in the Snowy, Brodribb, Cann, Bemm, Genoa and Wallagaraugh rivers, while the clear mountain streams of the high country around Dargo, Dinner Plain, Omeo, Anglers Rest and Benambra offer trout fishing by line and fly. Surf fish for salmon, tailor, gummy shark, flathead and trevally along Ninety Mile Beach, the beautiful Cape Conran Coastal Park or the magnificent coastal wilderness of Croajingolong National Park. Offshore fishing for snapper, tuna or marlin provides a seasonal high-end challenge and a number of offshore charters are available.
East Gippsland Visitor Information Centres produce a weekly fishing report on Thursdays which is available here. Recreational fishing requires a licence in Victoria. For further information, visit Victorian Government or purchase a licence from the Lakes Entrance or Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centres. For information about boat launching, tidal and lakes mooring information visit Gippsland Ports, or one of our Visitor Centres.
Boating & Sailing
With over 400 square km of sparkling lakes, quiet rivers and canals to explore you might need a few days on your boat to see it all. Yachts or cruisers are popular and can be hired, if you don’t have your own boat, so you can also enjoy this boaties delight. You can stay on board or come home to land each night. It is safer boating here with few rocks or reefs, and average wind strength just 10-15 knots. Tides are minimal except around the Entrance where care should be excercised. The rivers offer alternate boating trips. With the wind in your sails, some petrol in your motor or paddle power you can experience safer spectacular boating.
You will hear it called the boating capital of Victoria, perhaps Australia. If you love boating then you are going to love East Gippsland. With 6 major rivers feeding the lakes and the famous 90 Mile Beach, you are spoilt for choice. Or why not try our other spectacular boating destinations including Lake Tyers, Mallacoota and Marlo. BYO boat, boat hire, sail, cruise or paddle your choice of water craft in this spectacular water wonderland. With so many choices available try one of our local businesses to assist you with any boating requirements.
Tours and Cruises
Sit back and enjoy
Let the locals show you around their backyard on a tour or cruise. Let it be a sailing adventure or fishing charter, a trail ride on horseback or cycling trip. The area has an abundance of organised options from wildlife spotting and exploring eco-systems to guiding through the Buchan Caves or pedalling along the East Gippsland Rail Trail. Perhaps you fancy a helicopter ride in the sky or a heli-SUP. What will you do first?