Camping in the Lakes

East Gippsland runs from the Gippsland Lakes out to Mallacoota near the NSW border, and up into the high country behind. The lakes cover about 354 square kilometres behind the Ninety Mile Beach, and their Ramsar-protected wetlands hold about 20,000 waterbirds and the rare Burrunan dolphin, so the main choice here is lakes, coast or mountains.

Where is the best place to camp in the Lakes?

Lakes Entrance is the biggest town on the lakes, with parks close to both lake and surf beaches, such as Waters Edge Holiday Park. Inland, Buchan Caves Central Campground has powered sites next to the caves. Further east, Cape Conran Coastal Park has Banksia Bluff in the woodland, and at the far end, Mallacoota is surrounded by Croajingolong National Park, which has basic camps along its inlets such as Thurra.

What is there to do in the Lakes with kids?

In Lakes Entrance, Griffiths Sea Shell Museum and Footbridge Mini Golf are near the parks, and the lakes are good for bream and flathead. From Paynesville, Raymond Island is known for its koalas, and the Paynesville Maritime Museum is in town. In Bairnsdale, the Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place is in town. Buchan Caves are Victoria's largest cave system, carved by an underground river almost 400 million years ago, and Fairy Cave and Royal Cave have guided tours; kangaroos, wombats and platypus live in the reserve.

• Orbost Arts Centre – Museums and history, Orbost. Closest campground: Orbost Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Paynesville Maritime Museum – Museums and history, Paynesville. Closest campground: Allawah Caravan and Boat Park, under 1 km
• Petersens Art Gallery & Museum – Museums and history, Omeo. Closest campground: Omeo Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place – Museums and history, Bairnsdale. Closest campground: Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park, 1 km
• Dargo Museum – Museums and history, Dargo. Closest campground: Dargo River Inn, 1 km
• Old Omeo Courthouse – Museums and history, Omeo. Closest campground: Omeo Caravan Park, 1 km
• Omeo Historical Park & Museum – Museums and history, Omeo. Closest campground: Omeo Caravan Park, 1 km
• Bairnsdale Museum – Museums and history, Bairnsdale. Closest campground: Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park, 1 km
• East Gippsland Historical Society Museum – Museums and history, Bairnsdale. Closest campground: Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park, 1 km
• Aboriginal Art Gallery at Forestec – Museums and history, Kalimna West. Closest campground: Lakes Caravilla Caravan Park, 4 km
• WWII Bunker Museum – Museums and history, Mallacoota. Closest campground: a'wangralea caravan park, 4 km
• Falls Creek Museum – Museums and history, Falls Creek. Closest campground: Tent platform - 4 at Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Cope Hut with 3.7m x 3m steel structure with FRP grating deck, 5 km
• Harrietville Museum – Museums and history, Harrietville. Closest campground: Tent platform - 4 at Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Cope Hut with 3.7m x 3m steel structure with FRP grating deck, 20 km
• Footbridge Mini Golf & Lolly Shop – Play, Lakes Entrance. Closest campground: El Torito Flats & Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Lakes Entrance Aquatic Centre – Swimming, Lakes Entrance. Closest campground: Koonawarra Family Holiday Park, under 1 km
• Orbost Outdoor Pool – Swimming, Orbost. Closest campground: Orbost Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Bairnsdale swimming pool – Swimming, Bairnsdale. Closest campground: Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park, 2 km
• Swifts Creek Memorial Pool – Swimming, Swifts Creek. Closest campground: Dawson City Campground, 16 km

What are the best walks and waterfalls in the Lakes?

At Cape Conran, the East Cape Boardwalk and the rock pools of Yeerung Gorge suit kids. In Croajingolong, Thurra River has Victoria's largest sand dunes, up to 30 metres high, the inlets are good for canoeing, and there are walks to Wingan Rapids and Mount Everard. Around Mallacoota, look for Burrunan dolphins, and southern right and humpback whales during the migration season.

• Buchan Caves – Cave, Buchan Caves Reserve. Closest campground: Buchan Caves Central Campground, under 1 km
• Fairy Cave – Cave, Buchan Caves Reserve. Closest campground: Buchan Caves Central Campground, under 1 km
• McKillops Bridge – Lookout. Closest campground: White Box Campground, under 1 km
• Raymond Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Raymond Ck Camp Ground, under 1 km
• Howman Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Cleve Cole Camping Area, 1 km
• Tingaringy Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Roaring Camp - dispersed camping area, 1 km
• Weston's Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Cleve Cole Camping Area, 2 km
• East Cape Boardwalk – Walk, Cape Conran Coastal Park. Closest campground: Banksia Bluff Camp Area, under 1 km
• walk to Fly Cove – Walk, Croajingolong National Park. Closest campground: Wingan Campground, 1 km
• walk to Mount Everard – Walk, Croajingolong National Park. Closest campground: Thurra Campground, 7 km
• Omeo River Swimming Pool – Swimming spot. Closest campground: Omeo Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Yeerung Gorge – Swimming spot, Cape Conran Coastal Park. Closest campground: Conran Cabins, 4 km
• Royal Cave – Cave, Buchan Caves Reserve. Closest campground: Buchan Caves Central Campground, under 1 km
• View of Snowy River and Slips – Lookout. Closest campground: Marlo Caravan Park & Motel, under 1 km
• Eagle Point Bluff Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Eagle Point Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Bluff's Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Woolshed Creek Camping Area, under 1 km
• Griffiths Tunnel Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Omeo Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Dolphin lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: North Arm Tourist Park, under 1 km

Do you need to book campsites in the Lakes?

Yes, for most of it. Book Buchan cave tours at least 24 hours ahead, and Croajingolong and Alpine camps through Parks Victoria; remote camping at Bemm River and Pearl Point needs no booking. High-country roads such as the Dargo High Plains Road close over winter and reopen in late October, so check Parks Victoria before heading up.

Are there powered sites in the Lakes?

Yes. 7 campgrounds here have powered sites confirmed, including Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park, Orbost Caravan Park and Waters Edge Holiday Park. For the rest we are still confirming, so check with the park or holiday park before you book a powered site.

How far is Mallacoota from Melbourne?

Mallacoota is about 523 km east of Melbourne, the last town on Victoria's east coast before the NSW border.

Facts from Wikipedia, "Gippsland Lakes" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Mallacoota, Victoria" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Parks Victoria, "Buchan Caves Reserve", Parks Victoria, "Cape Conran Coastal Park", Parks Victoria, "Croajingolong National Park" and Parks Victoria, "Alpine National Park".

Map of campgrounds in the Lakes

118 campgrounds

• Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park — Mallacoota, VIC. drinking water, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets, wifi
• Orbost Caravan Park — Orbost, VIC. caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Camp Coolamatong Farm Camp — Banksia Peninsula, VIC. showers, toilets, wheelchair accessible, wifi
• Italian Flat — Dargo, VIC. caravan sites, picnic tables, tent sites, toilets
• Marlo Ocean Views Cabin and Caravan Park — Marlo, VIC. caravan sites, drinking water, tent sites
• Waters Edge Holiday Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC. dump point, powered sites, wifi
• Willis Camping Area — Suggan Buggan, VIC. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Bemm River Caravan Park — Bemm River, VIC. powered sites, tent sites
• a'wangralea caravan park — Mallacoota, VIC. powered sites
• Allawah Caravan and Boat Park — Paynesville, VIC. powered sites
• Lakes Bushland Caravan & Tourist Park — Nicholson, VIC. powered sites
• Native Dog Camping area Access Track — Cobberas, VIC. picnic tables
• Ada River — Club Terrace, VIC
• Ah Sye's Camping Area — Dartmouth, VIC
• Anglers Rest Campground — Anglers Rest, VIC
• Anglers Rest Camping area Access Track — Anglers Rest, VIC
• Angusvale Camp Ground — Cobbannah, VIC
• Bairnsdale Holiday Park: Big 4 — Lucknow, VIC
• Balley Hooley campground — Buchan, VIC
• Banksia Bluff (sites 1-29) Camping Area — Cape Conran, VIC
• Banksia Bluff Camp Area — Cape Conran, VIC
• Big River Camp Ground — Glen Valley, VIC
• Binns Beach - Campground — Bemm River, VIC
• Black Snake Creek Campsite — Hawkhurst, VIC
• Black Snake Creek East Campsite — Hawkhurst, VIC
• Bonang River Picnic Area — Bendoc, VIC
• Bruthen Caravan Park — Bruthen, VIC
• Buchan Caves Central Campground — Buchan, VIC
• Buckety Plain Camp — Bundara, VIC
• Bull Flat Camp Ground — Deddick Valley, VIC
• Camerons Arm campsites — Toorloo Arm, VIC
• Campground at The Glasshouse - Lake Tyers S.P. — Lake Tyers, VIC
• Camping — Brumby, VIC
• Camping Area at The Ironbarks - Lake Tyers S.P. — Toorloo Arm, VIC
• Camping Area at Trident Arm - Lake Tyers S.P. — Tostaree, VIC
• Cann River Caravan Park — Cann River, VIC
• Charlie Creek Camping Area — Tom Groggin, VIC
• Cleve Cole Camping Area — Nelse, VIC
• Clinton Rocks Camping - Walkers Access — Tamboon, VIC
• Conran Cabins — Cape Conran, VIC
• Cormorant By The Lakes — Banksia Peninsula, VIC
• Corringle Slips Camp Ground at Corringle Foreshore Reserve — Corringle, VIC
• Cowombat Flat (dispersed camping area) — Cobberas, VIC
• CRB Camping Area — Anglers Rest, VIC
• Dargo River Inn — Dargo, VIC
• Dawson City Campground — Brookville, VIC
• Delegate River Campground — Bendoc, VIC
• Deptford Campground — Deptford, VIC
• Dock Inlet - Campground — Bemm River, VIC
• Eagle Point Caravan Park — Eagle Point, VIC
• Echo Beach Tourist Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Echo Bend Camp Site — Iguana Creek, VIC
• El Torito Flats & Caravan Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Faithfull's Camping Ground — Bundara, VIC
• Fitzgeralds Hut Camping Area — Nelse, VIC
• Fourth Beach - Campground — Bemm River, VIC
• Frosty Hollow - Campground — Combienbar, VIC
• Gale Hill Campground — Wingan River, VIC
• Gunnia Beach - Campground — Bemm River, VIC
• Hicks Campground — Yalmy, VIC
• Jackson Crossing Camp Ground — Yalmy, VIC
• Jerguson Point camping area — Cobbannah, VIC
• Joker Flat Camping Area — Glen Valley, VIC
• Jungle Beach Caravan Park — Marlo, VIC
• Kennedy's Hut Campground — Dartmouth, VIC
• Koonawarra Family Holiday Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Lakes Caravilla Caravan Park — Kalimna, VIC
• Lakes Haven Caravan Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Langford West Campground — Bundara, VIC
• Limestone Creek Campground — Cobberas, VIC
• Little River Junction Camp Ground — Wulgulmerang East, VIC
• Macleods Morass camping areas (x4) — Bairnsdale, VIC
• Mallacoota Beachcomber Caravan Park — Mallacoota, VIC
• Marlo Caravan Park & Motel — Marlo, VIC
• Marthavale Hut — Marthavale, VIC
• McKillops Bridge — Wulgulmerang East, VIC
• Mingling Waters Bush Retreat — Nowa Nowa, VIC
• Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park — Bairnsdale, VIC
• Mount Tingaringy Campground — Tubbut, VIC
• Mueller Camping — Tamboon, VIC
• Nicholson River Tourist Park — Nicholson, VIC
• North Arm Campground — Buchan, VIC
• North Arm Tourist Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Omeo Caravan Park — Omeo, VIC
• Peachtree Camping — Tamboon, VIC
• Pearl Point - Camp Ground — Bemm River, VIC
• Petrel Point Camping — Wingan River, VIC
• Quart Pot Flat Campground — Dartmouth, VIC
• Raspberry Hill Camping Area — Bundara, VIC
• Raymond Ck Camp Ground — Yalmy, VIC
• Resthaven Caravan Park — Paynesville, VIC
• Road Nite Caravan Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Roaring Camp - dispersed camping area — Bonang, VIC
• Rock Creek camping area, Mitchell River National Park — Cobbannah, VIC
• Rocky Plains Creek- Camping area — Brumby, VIC
• Roper Hut Camping Area — Nelse, VIC
• Scotts Homstead Camping Area — Tabberabbera, VIC
• Shadygully Caravan Park and Cabins — Mallacoota, VIC
• Shannonvale Hut site — Glen Valley, VIC
• Shipwreck Creek Campground — Wingan River, VIC
• Suggan Buggan Campground — Suggan Buggan, VIC
• Swan Lake - Camping Grounds — Tamboon, VIC
• Swan Reach Gardens Tourist Park — Swan Reach, VIC
• Taylors Crossing Camping Area — Benambra, VIC
• Tea Tree Flat - Picnic Area — Bendoc, VIC
• Tent platform - 4 at Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Cope Hut with 3.7m x 3m steel structure with FRP grating deck — Nelse, VIC
• The Poplars Camping Area — Cobberas, VIC
• Thurra Campground — Tamboon, VIC
• Trident Arm Campsites — Toorloo Arm, VIC
• Victoria Falls Campground — Cobungra, VIC
• Waratah Flat Camp Ground — Bonang, VIC
• West Track Camp Ground — Yalmy, VIC
• White Box Campground — Deddick Valley, VIC
• Wilderness Retreats — Cape Conran, VIC
• Wingan Campground — Wingan River, VIC
• Wombat Post Office Campground — Dartmouth, VIC
• Woodbine Tourist Park — Lakes Entrance, VIC
• Woolshed Creek Camping Area — Iguana Creek, VIC

Region boundary: ABS ASGS Edition 3 Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0.