The Lakes Coastal Park Visitor Guide

This unique and picturesque park consists of lakes, wetlands, marine and terrestrial environments. The Coastal Park is a narrow coastal reserve covering 17,600 hectares along a portion of the Ninety Mile Beach, from Seaspray to Lakes Entrance. The park also includes the internationally significant Lake Reeve, several islands and the Boole Poole Peninsula.

Location and Access woodlands to grow. Swamp vegetation grows around the lakes and include rushes, sedges The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is in East and Swamp Paperbark. Heath vegetation is Gippsland. The western section of the park is also adapted to grow in poor soils. Major accessible by road via Seaspray and Golden species include Shining Peppermint, Yertchuk, Beach. The eastern section of the park is Coastal Tea-tree and Saw Banksia. The more accessible only by boat. common understorey plants consist of Bracken, From Past to Present Silky Tea-tree, Sweet Wattle and Common Heath. The diverse range of habitats within The Gippsland Lakes fall within the boundaries the park enable plenty of opportunities for of the Tatungalung clan of the Gunai/Kurnai viewing a wide range of wildlife. people. Evidence of their occupation occurs The Ninety Mile Beach is a good place to in numerous midden sites containing shellfish observe shore and ocean birds such as remains, charcoal and burnt pebbles. shearwaters, terns and gulls. Parts of the The first European records of the Gippsland Gippsland Lakes system including Lake Reeve, Lakes were by Angus McMillan in 1840 and of are listed under the RAMSAR convention on the seaward entrance to the lakes by John Wetlands of International Importance, especially Reeve in 1842. The wreck of a ship, the Trinculo as waterfowl habitat. The Lakes attract the which was beached in 1858 is still evident largest concentration of migratory waders in today west of Delray Beach. and are host to breeding colonies of the vulnerable Fairy Terns and Little Historic sites in the park include the Terns. You may also observe Common ÒHoneymoon CottageÓ on Boole Poole Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Bar-tailed Peninsula and the blow hole sites on the outer Godwit to name a few. Parks Ranger barrier adjacent to Bunga Arm. The site of construction of the artificial entrance to the sea Within the heathy woodland areas of the park at Lakes Entrance and eel farming ponds near you will see many species of bird including the “Victoria has all the outdoors McLennan Strait are still evident today. Common Bronze Wing, Yellow-tailed Black you could wish for – mountains, Remains of more recent activity include survey Cockatoo, Grey Butcherbird, Eastern Yellow forests, beaches and bushland, lines and sealed bores left from petroleum Robin and the gracious Wedge-tailed Eagle. all preserved in our parks. exploration. The park supports a large population of Eastern Our natural landscapes have Rich in plants and animals been here longer than anyone Grey Kangaroos, Black Wallabies and knows, and together we can The plants growing in the park can be divided the Common Brush- make sure they’re here forever.” into three main types; coastal, swamp and heathy woodland. These grow mostly on tailed and Ring-tailed leached sand of low fertility. Coastal vegetation Possums. Less growing along the seaward side of the dunes common mammals is adapted to grow in harsh conditions of wind, include Sugar Gliders, For more information salt, sun, shifting sand, little water and few Eastern Pygmy Possums Ring-tailed call the Parks Victoria nutrients. These plants include Hairy Spinifex, and the endangered New Possum Information Centre Marram Grass, Cushion Bush, Coast Saltbush, Holland Mouse. on 13 1963 or Sea Rocket and Coastal Everlasting. Behind visit our website at the dunes conditions are less severe allowing www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Coastal Tea-tree thickets and Coast Banksia For further information contact Things to see and do Parks Victoria Information Camping Centre Ph: 13 1963 Point, Paynesville, , Nungurner, Loch or visit the website Designated camping sites are situated between Sport and Lakes Entrance. Jetties for access to www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Paradise Beach and The Honeysuckles along the park, are provided at Barrier Landing, Drews Parks Victoria Shoreline Drive at Golden Beach. Boat based Jetty, Ocean Grange, Silver Shot Landing and P O Box 40 bush camping sites are available at Bunga Arm Steamer Landing. Boat operators are encouraged National Park Road east of Steamer Landing. Loch Sport 3851 to use the sewage pump out or hopper facilities Tel (03) 5146 0278 A few bush camping sites are also situated west situated around the lakes for the disposal of of Loch Sport. Basic facilities are provided at Parks Victoria sewage. Calvert St some of these sites. 3875 Horse Riding It is recommended that water be carried. Tel (03) 5152 0600 Campers are required to maintain a clean and Horse Riding is permitted along formed tracks Caring for the tidy camp site at all times. within the park, west of Loch Sport. Horse riding is not permitted on the Ninety Mile Beach. environment Between December and Easter, bins are provided

Help us look after this park for campers refuse at the Paradise Beach Walking by following these Camping Ground and west of Golden Beach. Management tracks, which are normally closed regulations: Outside of this peak period, and in areas where to private vehicles, provide ready access for bins are not provided, campers are required to Fires are not permitted on walkers to explore some of the more secluded the Ninety Mile Beach. take their rubbish away. As firewood is scarce, areas of the Park. The Ninety Mile Beach is also park visitors are encouraged to provide their own excellent for walking. Camp fires may only be lit or alternatively bring a gas barbecue. in fireplaces provided or in Hunting a 30cm deep pit in Picnicking designated camping areas. Licensed hunting and firearms are permitted in There are many picnic areas in natural designated areas of the Gippsland Lakes Coastal The area is to be clear of all surroundings throughout the park. Toilets, water, flammable material within a Park. Wild duck, Stubble Quail and Hog Deer radius of three metres. picnic tables and fireplaces are provided at major may be hunted in season only. All hunting must sites. Drinking water and firewood are not always be done in accordance with the regulations as Fires are to be no larger available and visitors should carry their own than one square metre in set out under the Wildlife, National Parks and supply. Fires are only permitted in the fireplaces size and must not be left Firearms Acts. Hunting is not permitted on private unattended. Camp fires provided. property without permission. must be completely extinguished with water Swimming Dogs before leaving. There are swimming sites along the sheltered In the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, dogs are Camp fires are not permitted lake shores. Take great care when swimming only permitted (on a leash at all times) at the anywhere on days of Total along the Ninety Mile Beach. It is recommended Fire Ban. following locations; Barrier Landing, Ocean that swimming be contained within flagged areas Grange, Paradise Beach, Loch Sport Causeway, All native plants and animals patrolled by surf life saving clubs. Flamingo Beach, The Honeysuckles and between in the park are protected by camp sites one to six on Shoreline Drive at law. (Except for certain Fishing game species during the Golden Beach. hunting season). Surf fishing along the Ninety Mile Beach, or lake fishing from a boat, bank or jetty is popular Dogs are not permitted in other areas of the Park Please take your rubbish throughout the park. Bream, Flathead, Skip Jack, nor between camp sites seven to twenty along home. Luderick and Mullet are the main fish caught. Shoreline Drive, Golden Beach. Vehicles must stay on Please note that a recreational fishing licence is Owners are also required to clean up their dogÕs formed tracks. required for all coastal and inland waters. litter. Dogs used for the flushing or retrieval of game birds are permitted in the hunting zones Vehicles are not permitted Boating Òoff roadÓ including Lake of the Park, during and 24 hours prior to, the Reeve and the Ninety Mile The Lakes provide excellent opportunities for commencement of the open season. Beach. boating and water skiing in designated areas. Boat ramps are situated at Seacombe, Wattle Firearms are not permitted (except in hunting areas in season). March 2001 Parts of the Gippsland Lakes system including Lake Reeve, are listed Dargo Buchan under the RAMSAR to Stratford 22km Hwy Convention on Wetlands Bairnsdale of International Hwy Princes Lakes Importance, especially as Entrance Waterfowl habitat. Sale Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

to Stratford 18km

Emu Bight Camping permit and fee app VEHICULAR TRACKS Blond Bay State Game Reserve 1 Track no 1 2 Track no 2 Red Bluff Victoria 3 Track no 3 Lagoon 4 Track no 4 Seacombe Spoon Bay Track no 5 5 4 6 Track no 6 Lake Wellington 2 8 3 Plover Point 16 7 Trig Track 8 11 13 14 8 Lakeside Track 10 9 15 9 Eel Farm Track 1 8 12 13 10 Track no 10 Bull Bull Pt Bay 11 Monkey Duck Track 8 6 12 Crest Track Long Point 7 Track Ten 13 Thalia Track Lake Coleman 5 Reeve Causeway

14 Waverly Track State Game Reserve 4

D 15 Spoon Bay Track A (often dry) O R Lake Reeve is often dry. 16 Tip Track to Longford 15 km Vehicles not permitted. Lake . T TK 17 Lake Reeve Track R O 3 S P E S IN 18 H P Lake Victoria Track C 2 L O ON L 1 GFORD Ð Ninety Paradise Beach

STRAIT

Dutson Downs Wilsons Golden Beach Causeway Waste Disposal Dogs only permitted at the Farm Paradise Beach Camping Area and in campsites 1 to 6 along Delray Beach Shoreline Drive, Golden Beach Jimmys Causeway

The Wreck

BASS Flamingo Beach to Sale 30km Reeve Glomar Beach

Camping permitted Lake between the S The E Honeysuckles A Island S and Golden Beach

P

R in designated A camping areas

Y

R D The Honeysuckles

Seaspray Bairnsdale HIGHWAY Nicholson

PRINCES

Swan Reach

Lake

Nungurner Nyerimilang Park

Paynesville King Lakes Metung Kalim Entrance na 22 23 25 (access by ferry only) 26 Point Wilson 21 27 20 Newlands Arm 19 18 24 Wattle Point Trouser Point 12 11 Entrance Bay 17 Cherry Tree 13 16 Barrier Landing 15 Area where 14 lies 18 waterskiing Victoria First permitted on Blowhole Bunga Arm

10 17 Steamer Landing 9 8

Lake Ocean Grange 7 Bunga Arm 5 17 Beach (camping permit Rota mah Island 6 Dolomite and fee applies) (Camping permit and fee applies)

Loch Sport Loch Sport Causeway Netting Boundary

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES Mile Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park 1 McLennan Strait 2 Thalia Point Highway Recreational Facilities (cont’d) 3 Beacon Swamp Major road Information 4 Waverly Point Minor/unsealed road Jetty 5 Pelican Bay Vehicle track Lookout 6 Dolomite Swamp Walking track 7 Parking Lookout Tower 8 Pelican Point Picnic area Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park 9 Trouser Bight Stores 10 Waters of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Waddy Point Toilets Park 11 Point Turner Vehicles prohibited Other reserve 12 Banksia Peninsula 1 Geographic feature marker Walking tracks 13 Sperm Whale Head 1 Track marker Waterskiing 14 Trapper Point Wheelchair access 15 Recreational Facilities Barton Island 16 Jubilee Head Accommodation 17 Bunga Arm Beach access 0 2 4 18 Boole Poole Peninsula Boat landing 19 N KILOMETRES Round Head Boat launching ramp Cartography by Charles Walsh 20 Nature Tourism Services 00/2 Big Swamp Dogs permitted on leash 21 Baines Swamp Camping 22 Silver Shot Landing Caravan park 23 Mosquito Point 24 Electric barbecue Hidden Lake

Fireplace 25 Flannagan Island 26 Fuel Fraser Island 27 Rigby Island