Central Gippsland, Victoria

Gippsland Lakes & Bairnsdale Region

The Gippsland Lakes are Australia's largest coastal lake system — a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and coastal heathlands that supports one of Victoria's richest waterbird assemblages. Bairnsdale is the gateway to a region where birding opportunities span from the alpine forests to the coast.

Gippsland Lakes waterbird richness

Australia's largest coastal lake system supports exceptional waterbird diversity year-round, including nationally significant Ramsar-listed wetlands.

Ninety Mile Beach shorebirds

The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park coastline provides important habitat for migratory shorebirds using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

Lakes Entrance bar seabirds

The ocean entrance at Lakes Entrance offers excellent vantage over Bass Strait for gannets, terns, and occasional pelagic species.

East Gippsland forest wildlife

The forests east of Bairnsdale are among the most wildlife-rich in Victoria — wombats, bandicoots, gliders, and a superb range of forest birds.

The Gippsland Lakes — Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria, Lake King, and the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park — form the largest coastal lake system in Australia. This interconnected waterway stretches over 400 km² and supports extraordinary bird diversity across multiple habitat types: open water, reed beds, salt marsh, coastal heath, and adjacent river forests.

Waterbirds and Wetlands

The lakes system supports one of Victoria's best assemblages of waterbirds. Australian Pelicans are a constant presence, and large numbers of cormorants, herons, and egrets work the shallows. Lake Wellington is particularly productive for diving ducks, grebes, and vagrant waterfowl. The Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site recognises its international significance for migratory shorebirds using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

Lakes Entrance and the Ninety Mile Beach

Lakes Entrance — where the lakes meet the sea — is an excellent location for scanning ocean birds. The bar provides opportunities for gannet, tern, and occasionally albatross sightings. The extensive Ninety Mile Beach backing onto the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park has excellent shorebird habitat.

East Gippsland Forests

Further east, the forests of East Gippsland — including the Mitchell River area and the remote lowland forests of the Snowy River — hold significant populations of forest birds. Gang-gang Cockatoos, Glossy Black-Cockatoos, and the full suite of Gippsland forest species are accessible with some searching.

Gateway to Mallacoota

Bairnsdale serves as the natural gateway for tours heading further east to Mallacoota. The 240 km drive east passes through some of Victoria's most productive birding country, including the Mitchell River NP, Buchan caves area (Grey-headed Flying-fox colony, cave-dwelling owls), and the Tambo River corridor.

Key birds to look for

Australian Pelican
Australasian Gannet
Little Tern
Crested Tern
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Brolga
Royal Spoonbill
Latham's Snipe
Hooded Plover
Azure Kingfisher
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Gang-gang Cockatoo

Practical information

Best season

Year-round birding. Summer (Dec–Feb) is outstanding for terns, shorebirds, and seabirds. Winter (Jun–Aug) for waterbird concentrations on the lakes.

Getting there

Bairnsdale is 280 km east of Melbourne on the Princes Highway — about 3 hours by car. Regular V/Line train and coach services run from Southern Cross Station. Local car hire available for exploring the region.

Where to stay

Bairnsdale has good accommodation including motels, caravan parks, and B&Bs. Lakes Entrance is a holiday resort town with a wide range of options. Book ahead for summer.