Overview

The Gippsland Lakes are an extensive coastal system of lakes, marshes and lagoons in eastern Gippsland, Victoria. Covering roughly 354 square kilometres, the network includes several large basins and numerous smaller wetlands. The best known basins are Lake Wellington, Lake King and Lake Victoria, and the waters receive inflow from multiple rivers before meeting the sea at the town of Lakes Entrance. For general maps and visitor information see regional resources.

Formation and hydrology

These lakes formed where river systems and coastal processes combined to create drowned river valleys and barrier-enclosed lagoons. Long coastal sand barriers — most visibly the Ninety Mile Beach — separate the lake waters from Bass Strait. A permanent channel at Lakes Entrance links the lakes to the ocean and permits tidal influence and occasional exchange of saltwater. Freshwater arrives from a number of tributaries, including the Avon, Thomson, Latrobe, Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo rivers; for details about the rivers and catchment see hydrology resources.

Major parts

  • Lake Wellington — the westernmost of the large basins.
  • Lake King — central in the system and connected to adjacent basins.
  • Lake Victoria — a shallow, eastern basin close to the sea link.

Maps and basin descriptions are available from local guides and surveys: basin overview.

Ecology and uses

The Gippsland Lakes support a mosaic of habitats: open water, reed beds, saltmarsh, mudflats and coastal dunes. These environments provide feeding and breeding grounds for waterbirds, fish and other aquatic life. The mix of freshwater inflow and marine influence creates brackish conditions that vary by location and season. People use the lakes for boating, recreational and commercial fishing, wildlife observation and tourism; townships around the system serve as gateways for visitors and fisheries activities. For regional tourism and services see local visitor information.

Human interaction, management and notable facts

Human activity has altered parts of the system through river regulation, land use change and shoreline development. Management aims to balance recreation, fisheries, biodiversity and flood regulation. Conservation efforts and planning continue to address water quality, habitat protection and the effects of climate variation on the lakes. The Gippsland Lakes are an important coastal feature of the state of Victoria and remain a focus for both ecological study and public enjoyment.