From the mountains to the sea, the Gippsland region is so diverse. South-east of Melbourne, this region contains over 20 National and State Parks and includes the Dargo High Plains and down to the spectacular scenery of Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Ninety Mile Beach and the Gippsland Lakes.

One and a half hours from Melbourne, Philip Island offers some of the best natural attractions in Australia and is renowned for its beauty, tranquillity and wildlife. Phillip Islands major centre is Cowes, a bustling town in the north. Meander down to the grass embankment where the sea meets the esplanade and watch the boats in the bay.

Every evening at sunset, the reliable Little/Fairy Penguins return to Summerland Beach and waddle up to their burrows. The site is incredible and their ancestors have done the same for thousands of generations. More than 250 species of birds make Phillip Island their home, and the mutton birds and penguins both use the island as a summer breeding ground. At the Koala Conservation Centre you can walk along the treetop broadwalk and be close to the koalas - fantastic viewing and photographic opportunities.

Wilson's Promontory at the southern-most tip of the Australian mainland, is one of Victoria's largest and most spectacular national parks. It has impressive landscapes, wide beaches, and an abundance of birds and wildlife.

The Gippsland Lakes is Australia's largest inland waterway; a vast system of rivers, lakes, lagoons and islands. The Lakes' gentle waters and undisturbed islands provide a haven for a staggering array of wildlife; black swans, pelicans, herons, dolphins, koalas, kangaroos, possums and even wombats. With the foothills of the high country to the north and the amazing stretch of the Ninety Mile Beach, separating the lakes from the ocean, the region offers an incredible variety of natural beauty and recreation activities.

Bairnsdale is a popular base, both for the mountains to the north and the lakes immediately to the south. It lies to the north-west of the Lakes Entrance on the northern side of Lake King, on the Mitchell River. The town is known for its gardens and heritage buildings.

Lakes Entrance is the main centre of the Lakes District and it is Victoria's largest fishing port. The three main lakes - Lake King, Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington - are all joined and fed by the rivers which start in the High Country.

The Lakes National Park, the Glenaladale National Park and the hills and valleys of the alpine foothills to the north provide plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, watching the wildlife and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Fact Summary

The Lakes District is the largest inland waterway system in Australia.

There are over 400 square kilometres of waterways.

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