We are looking at getting down to the Lakes prior to xmas but have absolutely no idea of what is there, some questions for anyone who can help we have some little maps off the internet but no detail.
Launching where?
Mooring where?
Dinghy need?
Supplies and water?
Fishing?
Water depths for sailing with boards down and places to avoid?
Sure there is much more but help with these will be a great start.
Thanks Bob
Wanted Info On Gippsland Lakes
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Mistral
- First Officer
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:03 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Patterson Lakes, Melbourne, VIC., Australia 2005 26M "Indigo Blue" 50HP E-Tec
Re: Wanted Info On Gippsland Lakes
Hi Bob,
Have only been to the Lakes once sofar, but had a great time. Others probably can give you a lot more info than me.
Launching can be done in Paynesville and there is plenty of room for parking too and pretty safe. There are also a few jetties where you can moor overnight. Otherwise there are quite a few inlets where you can moor onto the banks or at least close by and wade to the bank. We have moored and slept at Bunga Arm and Newlands Arm
Other possibility might be to launch at Johnsonville at Tambo marine http://www.tambomarine.com.au/index.html. You will need to ring them and arrange it. Motor up the river to the lakes. That is what we are planning to do when we go for extended stay and we could even leave the boat there.
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0433.pdf and http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0595.pdf are some maps. Detailed maps can be bought in Paynesville.
I have not seen many boats with a dinghy and I don't think you would need one.
Supplies and water are available in Paynesville and Metung, both have nice pubs too.
It can be shallow in parts and we dragged the board once going into Bunga Arm.
Hope this a little bit of use to you.
Dirk
Have only been to the Lakes once sofar, but had a great time. Others probably can give you a lot more info than me.
Launching can be done in Paynesville and there is plenty of room for parking too and pretty safe. There are also a few jetties where you can moor overnight. Otherwise there are quite a few inlets where you can moor onto the banks or at least close by and wade to the bank. We have moored and slept at Bunga Arm and Newlands Arm
Other possibility might be to launch at Johnsonville at Tambo marine http://www.tambomarine.com.au/index.html. You will need to ring them and arrange it. Motor up the river to the lakes. That is what we are planning to do when we go for extended stay and we could even leave the boat there.
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0433.pdf and http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0595.pdf are some maps. Detailed maps can be bought in Paynesville.
I have not seen many boats with a dinghy and I don't think you would need one.
Supplies and water are available in Paynesville and Metung, both have nice pubs too.
It can be shallow in parts and we dragged the board once going into Bunga Arm.
Hope this a little bit of use to you.
Dirk
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brianhar
- Engineer
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 2:25 am
- Location: "Waterbago", Laverton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2004 26M Johnson 50HP
Re: Wanted Info On Gippsland Lakes
Bob,
I've been down the lakes many times over the last 10 years, for up to 3 weeks at a time. The place is just great for yachties. My suggestion would be to put in at Paynesville, as it is very much geared towards yachties as compared to Metung and Lakes Entrance being more stink boat orientated, it's also roughly halfway along the lakes. You can either park in the huge carpark, or for something like $3-4 a day a local boat park will secure your car & trailer for you until you get back.
My main references for the lakes are a book called 'Creeks & Harbours of the Gippsland Lakes' by Richard Hawkins, ISBN 0 646 40157 2. This book is broken down into very good explanations of all sorts of nooks and cranies around the lakes with quite clear instructions on how to get in, also includes deths and anchorages. The other reference is a map called 'Grid Chart of the Gippsland Lakes' prepared by the Paynesville Rescue Squad. This map is available from most 'boaty' shops around the lakes. Bring some clear contact to cover the map as it is only made out of paper and dissolves well. Alternate is to get it laminated, but that makes it hard to utilise in the cockpit whilst sailing.
There are a lot of places to refurbish whilst you are down there, but we seem to mainly refurbish at Paynesville. Food, grog, fuel, gas, and a free shower are at a number of places. Paynesville has all these within easy walking distance. A word of caution about overnighting at Paynesville, do not stay overnight at Progress Jetty unless you are certain that no wind will turn up. It looks like a great place to tie up with shops and toilets 100m away, but can be a very lumpy and long night. There are plenty of other places in Paynesville that can handle any wind conditions. There are several Porta Potti emptying stations at strategic locations around the lakes.
Typical weather condtions that we have encountered during the Xmas period are for light winds in the morning, steadily increasing as the day goes on. By 2pm will have 20 knots plus, which will die off as the sun goes away, typical seabreeze stuff. Over the peak Xmas period, it can get interesting getting a spot at the more popular anchorages.
No need for a dinghy as most overnight places are either tie up to a jetty, or back the boat in to the river bank. There is more tidal influence the closer you get to Lakes Entrance. Rise and fall at Plovers Point would be less than a foot, increasing to about 2-3 foot at Lakes entrance. Wouldn't bother much with Lake Wellington, as it can get very choppy and it's not very deep, and there a very limited places to overnight safely.
Fishing, well I'm not into fishing, however I've got a great story about my one attempt at fishing down there. Hopefully we'll catch up and I'll rattle it off over a couple of beers.
That's a real brief overview, if you want to chat over the phone about it, just send me a PM with your home number, and I'll give you a call. Or just ask some more questions on this forum.
Brian
I've been down the lakes many times over the last 10 years, for up to 3 weeks at a time. The place is just great for yachties. My suggestion would be to put in at Paynesville, as it is very much geared towards yachties as compared to Metung and Lakes Entrance being more stink boat orientated, it's also roughly halfway along the lakes. You can either park in the huge carpark, or for something like $3-4 a day a local boat park will secure your car & trailer for you until you get back.
My main references for the lakes are a book called 'Creeks & Harbours of the Gippsland Lakes' by Richard Hawkins, ISBN 0 646 40157 2. This book is broken down into very good explanations of all sorts of nooks and cranies around the lakes with quite clear instructions on how to get in, also includes deths and anchorages. The other reference is a map called 'Grid Chart of the Gippsland Lakes' prepared by the Paynesville Rescue Squad. This map is available from most 'boaty' shops around the lakes. Bring some clear contact to cover the map as it is only made out of paper and dissolves well. Alternate is to get it laminated, but that makes it hard to utilise in the cockpit whilst sailing.
There are a lot of places to refurbish whilst you are down there, but we seem to mainly refurbish at Paynesville. Food, grog, fuel, gas, and a free shower are at a number of places. Paynesville has all these within easy walking distance. A word of caution about overnighting at Paynesville, do not stay overnight at Progress Jetty unless you are certain that no wind will turn up. It looks like a great place to tie up with shops and toilets 100m away, but can be a very lumpy and long night. There are plenty of other places in Paynesville that can handle any wind conditions. There are several Porta Potti emptying stations at strategic locations around the lakes.
Typical weather condtions that we have encountered during the Xmas period are for light winds in the morning, steadily increasing as the day goes on. By 2pm will have 20 knots plus, which will die off as the sun goes away, typical seabreeze stuff. Over the peak Xmas period, it can get interesting getting a spot at the more popular anchorages.
No need for a dinghy as most overnight places are either tie up to a jetty, or back the boat in to the river bank. There is more tidal influence the closer you get to Lakes Entrance. Rise and fall at Plovers Point would be less than a foot, increasing to about 2-3 foot at Lakes entrance. Wouldn't bother much with Lake Wellington, as it can get very choppy and it's not very deep, and there a very limited places to overnight safely.
Fishing, well I'm not into fishing, however I've got a great story about my one attempt at fishing down there. Hopefully we'll catch up and I'll rattle it off over a couple of beers.
That's a real brief overview, if you want to chat over the phone about it, just send me a PM with your home number, and I'll give you a call. Or just ask some more questions on this forum.
Brian
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Boblee
- Admiral
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:08 am
- Location: Berrigan, Riverina Australia boatless at present
Re: Wanted Info On Gippsland Lakes
Thanks for the replies that gives me something to work with, all I need now is the time.
Taking the boat over to get the motor check tomorrow and hopefully it will be right by the time I get back from a bit of hunting next week but still got to do a bit of work on the bottom so will have to bring it home again before heading off.
Taking the boat over to get the motor check tomorrow and hopefully it will be right by the time I get back from a bit of hunting next week but still got to do a bit of work on the bottom so will have to bring it home again before heading off.