Gippsland Lakes

Tuesday 31 March to Friday 10 April, 2015
We spent 3 nights on the jetty at Lakes Entrance. We had planned to leave after 48 hours as required, however with 30-40 knot westerlies and quite a few spare berths we stayed until the wind dropped.

Lakes Entrance Jetty

Our first day we washed, shopped and caught up on our sleep. On Wednesday we were invited to dinner with Julie and Hugh from San Souci by Julie's sister and brother in law. We enjoyed a beautiful roast lamb dinner at their home in Lakes Entrance.

Next night we enjoyed another great meal at the Boathouse resturant to celebrate my birthday. During the days we enjoyed many walks along the lake and across the bridge to the surfside.

Steamer Landing

Armed with the Gippsland Ports Boating Guide, on Friday we motored 14nm up to Paynesville in a light SW wind to pick up our son Ben who had come up from Melbourne to spend Easter with us. Friday night we anchored behind Wallaby Island near Steamer Landing.

Ninety Mile Beach

A trip ashore in the dinghy and we were quickly across to Ninety Mile Beach. Lots of boats without dinghies, many on the free public jetties and pontoons that are found everywhere, and some nosed into the steep shore and using a ladder to get ashore!

On Saturday, after a leisurely start to the day we sailed to Boxes Creek where we anchored off the entrance after going in and deciding it was a bit tight for comfort.

On Sunday we motored 8nm back to Lakes Entrance where Ben had organised a lift home while we spent the night on one of the floating pontoons. With strong SW winds expected, on Tuesday we motored and sailed 16nm back up the lakes to Duck Arm, one of the most protected spots in the Gippsland Lakes.

Keeping the grandkids entertained in Duck Arm during the holidays

We picked up one of the 9 public moorings here and settled down for a couple of days. Once again, Ben took the good weather with him and we had almost constant rain for 2 days.

Duck Arm

On Thursday, we motored 4nm back to Paynesville and a berth on the Raymond Island Jetty near the ferry that takes cars ($11) and people (free) between Paynesville and Raymond Island.

Raymond Island has a large koala population that can be seen from the roads and walking tracks on the island. The koalas were relocated here in 1953 when their habitat was under pressure in other areas. They thrived until eventually they started stripping all their food trees. Now there is a contraception and removal program in place to keep numbers at about 600.

On Friday we headed back to Lakes Entrance as there was a window to go to Eden on the weekend. The Gippsland Lakes were great, good depth in the places we went and with lots to see and do. The government has done a great job building and maintaining infrastructure that encourages a wide range of boats to enjoy the area. It was especially great to see the large number of trailer sailers here, making the most of the Easter break.

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