The National Park

Visitor Guide

The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Lakes, fringed by the waters of and Lake Reeve. The park occupies 2,390 ha. of low-lying woodland and coastal heath, consisting of Sperm Whale Head peninsula, Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands.

Location and access mammals include Sugar Gliders, Pygmy Possums and the endangered New Holland Mouse. You may is in , about be lucky to spot a rare Large-footed Myotis, one of 300 km east of . The park is located at eleven bat species found within the park. the eastern end of the township of Loch Sport, 63 km east of Sale. Boat access is possible from Things to see and do Paynesville (5 km). From Past to Present Rotamah Island is accessible only by boat. A number of walking tracks leave from the picnic area and jetty, The area was once part of a large bay. Over many including a short stroll to the famous Ninety Mile thousands of years, sands deposited by the sea Beach. The Bird Observatory, run by Birds , have formed a series of barriers, such as the Sperm is available for accommodation throughout the year. Whale Head peninsula. The outer barrier eventually The resident wardens regularly run natural history enclosed the bay and formed the Ninety Mile Beach. education courses. (See separate parknote). These barriers are up to 38 m high. Picnicking Aborigines of the Kurnai nation were numerous in The most popular of several picnic areas is at Point the area at the time of European arrival. The abundant Wilson, the site of the original settlers’ homestead. wildlife around the provided plenty There are barbecues, a day shelter, toilets, water of food. In the summer of 1840 explorer Angus and a jetty. You’ll enjoy watching the kangaroos, but McMillan reached the shores of , and please do not feed them because our processed soon after, cattle runs were taken up and much of foods are not part of their normal diet. the area now covered by park was cleared for grazing. Through the efforts of Mr. F.W.C. Barton and the Camping Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, 1,451 ha on the Camping is only permitted at Emu Bight, close to Parks Victoria Ranger Sperm Whale Head peninsula was reserved in 1927 the shore of Lake Victoria. A communal shelter, for the purposes of a national park, and proclaimed fireplaces, toilets and water are provided. A small The Lakes National Park in 1956. Rotamah Island fee is charged and sites must be booked through and Little Rotamah Island were added to the park in the park office. “Victoria has all the outdoors 1978. Natural bushland has since regenerated and you could wish for – mountains, much of the wildlife has returned to the area. Walking forests, beaches and bushland, A network of walking tracks exist and the gently Plants and wildlife undulating tracks are suitable for family outings. The all preserved in our parks. self guided Lake Reeve Nature Trail, featuring the Eucalypt and banksia woodland are widespread on Our natural landscapes have Lookout Tower, is a popular short walk through the sandy soils throughout the park. Areas of coastal been here longer than anyone several habitats with many points of interest along heath are interspersed with swampy, low lying areas the way. (See separate parknote) knows, and together we can which support salt marsh vegetation. From August make sure they’re here forever.” to November the park is at its best with a spectacular Lookout Tower show of wildflowers and one of the best display of Situated at the beginning of the Nature Trail, the native orchids in Australia. Lookout Tower gives magnificent views of Lake Several rare plants species occur including Ribbed Reeve and the Gippsland Lakes system. Thryptomene (Thryptomene micrantha) which, Bird watching For more information apart from this area, is found only in and Many birds species can be observed throughout the call the Parks Victoria the York and Eyre Peninsulas in . park or alternatively, from bird hides situated at Lake Information Centre More than 190 species of birds have been recorded Killarney and on Rotamah Island. on 13 1963 or in the park including the rare White Bellied Sea Eagle visit our website at and the endangered Little Tern. Park Information Centre Call into the park office during office hours and view www.parkweb.vic.gov.au The park also supports a large population of Eastern the information displays, exhibits and ‘touch table’. Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies including Brush- tailed and Ring-tailed Possums. Less common

May 2000 For further information To Ocean contact Grange Parks Victoria Information Centre Ph: 13 1963 Little or visit the website Rotamah www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Point Wilson Parks Victoria Jetty Sperm Rotamah P O Box 40 Balfours Whale Head Swamp National Park Road Loch Sport 3851 Trapper Beach access Ph: (03) 5146 0278 Point Murphy Jetty Observatory Hill Sale Visitor Information Centre Lake Killarney Princes Hwy Sale 3850 Island Ph: 1800 677 520 Lake Fax: (03) 5144 1108 Omeo Swamp Murphy Lake email: toursale@i_o.net.au K C

A eway

Victoria R Buchan T Dargo Beach access F E RN Hwy

T R EE Caus S Netting Y P T ACK H R Boundary M Caring for the P A R U W Green Hill S Reeve Hwy environment Point M Princes Lakes Entrance

Help us look after this park Sale K by following these K C C The Lakes

A A National Park R regulations: R

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Fires are not permitted on the Ninety Mile Beach. TUS A S I O C R S K W A Y O MP Camp fires may only be lit T T C RA I CK in fireplaces provided. V

Beach The Lakes

Fires must be completely Trouser E National Park Point K extinguished with water A L

E Vehicle track V

before leaving. E

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R Walking track Fires are not permitted on Trouser TR A Private The Lakes National Park Swamp C K Property E days of Total Fire Ban. N E M T O Gippsland Lakes Coastal Y P T H R Park All native plants and animals Cygnet

in the park are protected by Cherry Tree Swamp Waters of Gippsland E Mile Lakes Coastal Park

law. K A

L Waterbody Dogs, cats, firearms and

generators are not Emu Bight Recreational permitted. Facilities Information

Please take your rubbish K

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A Water home. R

T Lake

Camping E

E Reeve Picnic area R

Boobialla Point T Toilets

Ninety Self-guided walks N.B. The drive

from the park S

S office to Point A Fireplace

Wilson R G Lookout covers 15 kms Tower and takes 20 minutes Oil Bore Landing Hidden Swamp N Trouser

Bight 0 .75 1.5 .

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A O L Cartography by Charles Walsh

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C Nature Tourism Services 99/5 T O A D N E Dolomite E P T E R Swamp

T A T Dolomite Pelican Point T R A CK Park Office

MELBOURNE Pelican Bay

To Loch Sport