Australian_Geographic_Outdoor_2016_07_08_

AG Outdoor | 39

DESTINATION | VICTORIA^

A

USTRALIA’S LARGEST ENCLOSED waterway

• otherwise known as the Gippsland Lakes –
  is actually a combination of three lakes: King,
  Victoria and Wellington. Fed by a number of
  freshwater rivers, and accessed via tourist towns such as
  Paynesville, Metung, Loch Sport and Lakes Entrance, this
  part of Victoria’s southeast is a magnet for sea kayakers and
  canoeists. The vast size of the place in terms of how much
  there is to paddle (estimated to be around 600 square kilo-

metres of waterway fed by seven freshwater rivers), is only

matched by its variety, which is its biggest appeal. Regardless

of your paddling experience, there is a paddling location in

this area that will cater for it. And it’s all only four hours

east of Melbourne.

The sheltered lakes and lagoons (such as Victoria Lagoon)

make for a great learning ground thanks to the minimal effect

of the tide ensuring calm water, while for the more experi-

enced, there is the chance to test their open ocean skills by

paddling out through Entrance Bay, at the easternmost point

of 80km-long Lake Victoria, into the Ninety Mile Beach

Marine National Park’s open coastal waters.

The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park has a number of camp-

sites dotted along the lakefront, including some awesome

bush camping sites accessible via watercraft (be aware you

are sharing these waters with powered boats). Some of the

best ones include Spoon Bay and Red Bluff, at the western

end of Lake Victoria, and the campsite at Rotamah Island

• one of the best bush campsites in Oz, if you ask us, and
  only matched by some of the water-access-only sites on
  Bungan Arm. All national parks campsites need permits and
  the warmer months are obviously hugely popular, so book
  well ahead.
  For those who are based in one of the towns in the area,
  there are plenty of ways to occupy your days on the water.
  A paddle out from Paynesville across Lake Victoria to Point
  Wilson for a barbecue lunch is a brilliant day paddle, as is
  just taking a day to trace the northern coastline of Bungan
  Arm before returning to town for a few post-paddle beers.
  The area is chock-full of wildlife, often more easily spot-
  ted from the water. The chance to spot dolphins, seals and
  numerous sea- and shorebird species, along with the oppor-
  tunity to drop a line in for some fresh seafood, can soon chew
  up days of relaxed paddling on the water here.
  As stated before, it is this sheer variety of paddling activi-
  ties that makes this place so popular; there are a number of
  local operators that cater for everything from short family-
  based paddle trips through to multiday adventures – as well
  as paddling skill development. Add all that in with the chance
  to feast on fresh seafood with some cold beverages each
  evening and it’s easy to see why the Gippsland Lakes is so
  popular with AG Outdoor’s Victorian-based contributors!

All year

http://www.visitvictoria.com/

Regions/www.parksweb.

vic.gov.au

Paddling:

Gippsland Lakes

Gippsland Lakes