Gippsland

 

To the southeast of Melbourne is the area known as Gippsland, with a coastline of 250 miles of beaches, inlets, and coves.  Gippsland Lakes is the largest inland lake system in Australia, enclosed by the sand dunes and beaches of Ninety Mile Beach--a name that has survived Australia's decimalisation of weights and measures.

 

   

According to our guidebook, "every small town has jetties festooned with yachts and fishing boats, particularly the villages of Paynesville and Metung.  Even though the fishing and boating attracts thousands in summer, as attested by the touristy commerce of Lake Entrance, there are innumerable isolated spots for walking, swimming and birdwatching."

Fishing from the town of Lakes Entrance is a major industry.

The small village of Metung offered opportunities for watching pelicans being fed-- and struggling mightily with-- a large helping of squid.

A typical view out over the lakes towards the sand dunes of 90 Mile Beach.

On a long walk on the beach we came across this sea horse washed up by the tide.