Make Lakes Entrance the Centre for your Adventure this Autumn

Make Lakes Entrance the Centre of your Adventure this Autumn

There is so many things to keep you entertained on your next trip to Lakes Entrance. We have put together a list of everything you need to know to at to your itinerary.

·        Head over the Cunningham Arm Footbridge across the road from us at Beachcomber Holiday Units to the 90 Mile Beach to swim between the flags at the Patrolled Main Beach. With the Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club watching over you, you can feel at ease – just don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and stay between the flags.

·        Build sandcastles, bury the kids in the sand up to their shoulders, or get them to dig a hole to China.

·        This year we have the ultimate new attraction being the Lakes Entrance Aqua Park which is located on the southern side of the Cunningham Arm Footbridge. Open weekends and over the school holidays you can head to their website https://lakesentranceaquapark.com.au/ to book you tickets and sign your life away. Get in while you can as they will be taking a short break after Easter.

·        Lakes Entrance has 4 Mini Golfs – they are all different and the perfect opportunity for a bit of family competition.

Esplanade Mini golf, Footbridge mini golf lolly shop & ice cream shack, Blackball & basket mini golf Lakes Entrance mini golf and dodgem cars

·        Lakes Entrance Segway Adventures – the best way to explore the 90 Mile Beach. An experience you, your friends and family will never forget. Leaving from the foreshore you are guaranteed to finish with a smile on your face.

·        Lakes Entrance Helicopters marvel at Lakes Entrance from above – with a variety of tours available you will have your breath taken away by the beauty of Lakes Entrance and beyond. You won’t have to travel far as they take off from Kalimna Airport.

·        Venture out will have you exploring the waterways via kayak or stand up paddleboard. Or if you are keen to hit the bike tracks they have mountain bike tours as well.

·        With East Gippsland Variety Tours you and your group can get around East Gippsland with ease. They have Winery tours, Brewery Tours, Golf Tours and everything in between. They are more than happy to assist you in customising your own tour.

·        Not sure what you want to see or do then head to Lakes Entrance Mystery Tours www.lakesentrancead.com.au they will have you working out clues to enjoy some hidden secrets around town.

·        Learn to surf with Phil from the Surf Shack    

·        Wanting to keep fit - Lakes Entrance Aquadome has 3 indoor heated swimming pools, spa, sauna, fitness classes and gym – and all guests at @beachcomberholidayunits receive a free Gold membership                                                                  

·        Griffith seashell museum has over 90,000 worldwide marine and land shells. Spend the afternoon exploring a treasure trove of weird and wonderful rare preserved animals including a two headed baby shark

·        Our local cinema has movies for all genres their Facebook has the summer session times Sammys Cinema & Squash

·        The best way to explore the Gippsland Lakes is by Cruise. We have two extremely informative cruise companies offering a variety of different cruises. Peels Cruises have been cruising the lakes for over 100 years and have 3 different boats the Thunderbird, the Seabird and the Stormbird Cruise which does the popular Metung Luncheon Cruise. Lonsdale Eco Cruises have scenic cruises with scones (and seem to have some special magnet for the dolphins) head to their Facebook page to see their school holiday timetable. Both companies are very popular be sure to book you cruise in advance so you don’t miss out.

·        Skipper Pete at Lakes explorer sea safari & water taxi is the man to see if you what to know anything about of marine and bird life. Offering both water taxi service as well as educational tours make sure you head to his Facebook to see his prices and itineraries and the best thing he can pick you up at Myer st Jetty straight across the road from us here at Beachcomber.

Culinary Delights

·        Red Bluff Brewers - one of our local brewers has live music and food vans to help you chillax the evenings away

·        Our local winery - Wyanga Park Winery is amazing. They have a great family atmosphere and are open daily from 11am then dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. They even have winery cruises on offer.

·        After fighting with packing away your pop-up beach sun shelter you will be able to reward yourself with a well-earned drink from The Servo located at the Myer St traffic lights (right next door to us at Beachcomber). Relax the afternoons away with live music Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

·        Grab some Fish ‘n chips or Pizza and head to the beach or a grassed area on the foreshore – with the towns recent upgrades we now have lots of park benches to enjoy a picnic along the Esplanade of the Cunningham Arm and Marine Parade next to the North Arm. With no need to wash the dishes and clean up after dinner it helps to make the evening so relaxing!! We have many fish n’ chips to choose from in town if you want to know the best one then ask the locals they will all give you a different answer. So in my eyes that must make them all pretty darn good.

·        Treat yourself to homemade ice cream from Riviera Icecream Parlour with plenty of flavours to choose from everyone in the family will be content. They are open from lunch till late just be prepared for a line at the door because it is pretty hard to choose your flavour.

·        It is not a trip to Lakes Entrance without having a donut from Big Bears Donuts not only do they have all the favourites but also surprise flavours changing daily. These donuts are so good that people travel from all over Gippsland just to have one.

·        We have lots of amazing restaurants ranging from the hatted Sodafish for the seafood lover to Floating Dragons “Chef’s Table” experience. You will be able to choose from Chinese, Thai, Italian and modern Australian.

·        You can’t go past the views at both Kalimna Hotel and Waterwheel beach tavern there is nothing quite like having a froffy by the water. Cenral Hotel is walking distance to all accommodation.

·        If the café’ scene is more your style we have an abundance of coffee shops brewing up some of the best coffee in Gippsland.

Outdoor Adventure

·        After feasting on the local cuisine you can walk off all those holiday treats on one of the wonderful walking tracks Lakes Entrance has on offer. A favourite of ours is the Entrance walk starting just over the Cunningham Arm footbridge heading west up to the Entrance. This walk is 5km round trip and has a bit of sand, steps, boardwalk and bush track. At the entrance you may be lucky enough to see Australian Fur Seals hanging out on the rocks on the other side of the entrance. You may also see the resident Burrunan dolphins that live in the lakes system. You will definitely see and hear some beautiful native bird life. We like to walk back along the lake side and read the historical signs and learn about the history of Lakes Entrance.

·        We have 2 playgrounds one at Eastern Beach and the other is Apex park – take your basketball to shot a few hoops or take just a short walk under the bridge to the local skate park to hang out with some of the nicest local cool kids with your scooter or skateboard.

·        Surf the waves at Red Bluff

·        Bring you bikes to ride around town or head to the Colquhoun Mountain Bike Park to test your skills.

·        Get swinging at the Lakes Entrance Golf Club rated as one of the most picturesque golf courses you’ll have the chance to get 18 hole in ones.

·        Our all abilities walkway along the esplanade is the perfect way for the family to experience Lakes Entrance, it has been made wide to be able to accommodate visitors with disabilities, prams, family bike rides and larger groups. We understand that it is one of the longest uninterrupted walkways around an inland lake system. You will enjoy walking along the lakes past “The Avenue of Honour” sculptures carved by Gippsland chainsaw artist John Brady, as well as fishing trawlers, swans, cygnets, pelicans and seagulls. Also keep an eye out in the water for dolphins, seals, seahorses, crabs, rays and schools of fish.

·        Take an evening stroll over our footbridge at night, turn back and take a look at the reflections of the town lights in the water. It’s so peaceful and great to look at the town from a different perspective.

·        Drive to Bullock Island and look out at the entrance to the ocean. It’s a gorgeous spot for watching the trawlers head out, picnics, sunsets and marine life spotting.

·        Saturday Park Run takes off at 8am from the Rotunda on the foreshore.

Immerse yourself in the arts

·        Wurinbeena is a local Aboriginal Art Gallery located in Myer St featuring the works of Local Aboriginal artists. 

·        Iceworks.3909 on Carpenter St is an ever changing gallery of local artist it works in conjunction with Float a floating gallery located in Lake Tyres.

·        Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre also features art works from local artists throughout the year.

·        Saltwater Creative has some awesome school holiday art classes for the children with limited spaces get booking your kids in. They also offer amazing classes for adults so you can head home with some wonderful artwork of your own. Although they specialise in resin art they have many other classes on offer. Head to their Facebook page to view the timetables, enquire about different classes or check out the homewares on offer.

Views and Sunsets

·        Jemmy’s Point Lookout is THE spot for the iconic Lakes Entrance photo. Beautiful all day but just perfect at sunset. As you are heading up Kalimna Hill there is 2 more viewing spots that are just as good as the top.

·        Kalimna lookout has a great picnic area and plenty of space for the kids to stretch their legs.

·        We love a sunset on the Cunningham Arm Footbridge. It does help that it is located across the road from us at Beachcomber Holiday Units. We love the changing colours of the sky, water, and town and fishing fleet.

·        Lakes Entrance is pretty postcard perfect when it comes to sunsets. You’ll be sure to have one that takes your breath away while you are visiting us.

Events to add to your Itinerary throughout April & May

-         Australian Wood Design Exhibition (Orbost)26th March – 19th  June

-         Lakes Entrance Foreshore Market (Across the road) 3rd April

-         East Gippsland Field Days (Bairnsdale Aerodrome) 8th – 9th April

-         Narkoojee Winemakers Lunch at Sardine (Paynesville) 10th April

-         Iceworks 3909 Studio Market (Iceworks Lakes) 15th April

-         Lakes Farmers and Seafood Market (middle boat harbour Lakes) 16th April

-         Colour Ya World (Bairnsdale) 16th April

-         Buchan Rodeo (Buchan) 17th April

-         Gippsland Lakes Paddle Challenge (finish line across the road) 30th April

-         Lakes Entrance Foreshore Market (across the road) 1st May

-         Surf & Turf Art Exhibition (Iceworks Lakes Entrance) 1st – 31st May

-         Lakes Entrance Adventure Film Festival (Lakes Entrance) 6th – 8th May

Lakes Entrance Foreshore Festival, Duck Race and Fireworks 4 -9pm (Lakes Entrance) 7th May

-         Lakes Farmers and Seafood Market (middle boat harbour Lakes) 21st May

-         Snowy River Sprint (Buchan to Lakes) 27th -28th May

Get your Line Wet

·        Over the past couple of years Lakes Entrance has become known for Big Game Fishing bringing many anglers to the area. If you are wanting to try your luck out there deep sea fishing then we have a few charter company’s for you to choose from Farout Fishing Charters, Keeping it Reel Fishing Charters or Lakes Entrance Offshore Charters or if you are happy to stay within the Gippsland Lakes system and try your luck with both fishing and crabbing then Lakes Entrance Charter Fishing, East Gippsland Charters or Sea Myth Fishing Charter can take you either in the lake or out in the ocean.

·        You can also have a lot of fun hiring a putt putt boat and heading out to explore the wonderful lake system for yourself. Along the North Arm you will have a choice of 3 different boat hire company’s Portside Boat Hire

Victor Hire Boats or Blue Riviera Hire Boats check out the BBQ boats for hire as well.

·        If you want to sit back, take a breath of fresh air and try your luck at fishing off one of our many jetty’s or surf fishing then you’re in luck we have 3 bait and tackle shops that have all your supplies as well as plenty of advice on where to go and what to use. Bass Strait Bait & Tackle, Riviera Bait Supplies, and Lakes Entrance Angler you might be lucky enough to hook a fish with a golden tag there is prizes up to the amount of $10,000 (if you do I’m happy to go halves with you).

·        If you fancy having a night time fish you could also give prawning in the lakes a go. Lake Tyres is currently having the biggest prawning season in over 30 years.

·        Waterwheel Beach Tavern currently have the Longest Lizard Fishing Comp on until the 23rd of April head to their page or down to the tavern to find out all details.

Lakes Entrance experiences not to miss

·        As you are driving here you will pass the BIG clownfish painted as “Nemo”. This big fish started out as a float advertising Lakes Entrance at the Moomba Parade. It has been featured in many parades and is a fun photo opportunity as you head to Lakes Entrance.

·        Buying fresh seafood and prawns direct from the trawlers – just look for the signs along the Esplanade (opposite RSL, McDonalds and BWS) advertising what they have just caught. If they have sold out early don’t fear because you can head to the Lakes Co-op on Bullock Island to watch the boats unload and purchase their catch from Off The Wharf.

·        Lakes Entrance Foreshore Market is on the 1st Sunday of the month and the Farmers Market opposite the RSL is the 3rd Saturday of the Month.

·        The Lakes Entrance locals love to donate. We have so many op-shops that I’ve lost count. So many treasures to be found…

·        Our Visitor Information Centre staff are full of knowledge and information about Lakes Entrance and surrounds. With plenty of itinerates for everyone they will have you wishing you booked to stay for longer because you simply can’t fit everything in.

·        You can’t go past good old fashioned country service and you’ll find it in all the accommodation, tourist activities and shops and in town. All our local small businesses have stepped up to the challenge of the past two years and survived. (I’ll tag then in the comments). They are Lakes Entrance and we wouldn’t be here without them.