The Lakes National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

The Lakes National Park in Gippsland is a birdwatcher’s paradise, a tranquil retreat edged by the blue waters of Victoria and Reeve lakes and the rolling sand dunes of the famed Ninety Mile Beach. It embraces the sandy, bush-clad terrain of Sperm Whale Head peninsula, and Rotamah and Little Rotamah islands. Shell middens along the beach are a reminder of the long occupation of the Kurnai nation. Although the land was cleared for grazing stock in the 1800s, natural bushland has gradually regenerated. Banksia and peppermints are typical of the park’s open woodland vegetation with forests largely of manna gum, while on lower-lying areas stands of swamp paperbark provide a dense canopy. The predominant shrub is the rare ribbed thryptomene. In spring, wildflowers and native orchids flower in abundance. There are more than 190 bird species, with bird hides at Lake Killarney and Rotamah Island. Colourful feeders include crimson and eastern rosellas and lorikeets, and along the shoreline you may see cormorants, pelicans, plovers and occasionally a whitebellied sea-eagle. Eastern yellow robins, grey fantails and thornbills nest in the dense foliage of the melaleucas. Mammals include swamp wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, possums, echidnas, wombats and around 10 bat species. Call in at the Loch Sport park offi ce for information about walking trails, fl ora and fauna, and activities run by local operators. Birds Australia runs the Rotamah Island Bird Observatory; contact (03) 5156 6398. Family-friendly walking trails, such as the 30-minute Lake Reeve Nature Trail through various habitats, crisscross the park. Climb the Lookout Tower near the carpark first, for views of the shimmering lake waters.

Fact file

Camping

Emu Bight; bush camping in adjacent Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

Location and access

300 km east of Melbourne via Princes Hwy to Sale then Loch Sport; 63 km east of Sale; boat access possible from Paynesville or Loch Sport

Park Information

• PV 13 1963
• PV Loch Sport (03) 5146 0278

Size

2390 ha

Where to Stay

Loch Sport/Sale 1800 677 520


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• Campsites

Campsites

Emu Bight camping area

On Sperm Whale Head, Emu Bight is the only place to camp in the Lakes park. It’s 5 km east of Loch Sport, beside Lake Victoria and accessed from Lake Victoria Track; campsites must be booked in advance through... Find out more

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