Cunninghame Quay (Lakes Entrance)

About Cunninghame Quay (Lakes Entrance)

Cunninghame Quay at Lakes Entrance offers a very small collection of premium short-stay berths managed for Gippsland Ports. Up to five gated positions sit on the town waterfront, each designed as a 20-by-6-metre berth with water and power. We think the limited scale is part of the attraction: when a berth is secured, crews gain a convenient base for enjoying Lakes Entrance and the Gippsland Lakes rather than an anonymous place in a large marina.

The berths are managed on behalf of Gippsland Ports by Lonsdale Cruises, so bookings should be directed through that operator. Current official guidance treats a night as midday to 11:30am and publishes seasonal rates, with higher pricing between the beginning of December and Easter Monday. Vessels must fit wholly inside the 20-by-6-metre envelope. Alongside and outer-face temporary options may exist under separate rates and require direct confirmation.

Water, shore power and a security gate form the core offer. The town position then supplies much of the rest: groceries, cafés, restaurants, accommodation and waterfront attractions are within practical reach. From Lakes Entrance, crews can explore the extensive Gippsland Lakes system, including Metung, Paynesville and sheltered reaches further west. Anglers also have access to productive lake and coastal waters, subject to current rules and entrance conditions.

Arrival planning matters because the ocean entrance is a dynamic bar with strong flows and changing weather. Visiting skippers should use Gippsland Ports' current navigation information, notices, webcam and local advice rather than rely on an old passage description. The premium berth does not guarantee safe coastal entry. Depth, tide, current, vessel capability and crew experience must align before committing to the bar.

Our take is that Cunninghame Quay is an appealing stop for suitable boats already navigating the Gippsland Lakes or for experienced coastal crews with a sound entry plan. The central location and secure utilities deliver more comfort than a basic public jetty. Availability will be scarce with only five positions, so book ahead and provide exact dimensions. Once inside, the berth creates an excellent platform for discovering one of Victoria's most distinctive boating regions. The compact quay also keeps the boat close to the everyday rhythm of town.

Services

Gippsland Ports provides up to five premium short-term berths at Cunninghame Quay, managed for bookings by Lonsdale Cruises. Each premium position measures 20 by 6 metres and requires the vessel to remain entirely within that footprint. Water, shore power and security-gate access are included as the key berth facilities.

Official rates vary between the peak period from 1 December through Easter Monday and the rest of the year. The current overnight period runs from midday until 11:30am. Outer-face temporary use with power and other alongside arrangements may be available at separate rates, but these must be confirmed directly. The surrounding town provides food, shops and visitor services rather than a dedicated marina resort.

When booking, provide overall length, beam, draft and power needs. Confirm assigned position, access code, cancellation terms, depth, waste and bathroom arrangements. Coastal arrivals must review current bar warnings, tides, weather, webcam images and Gippsland Ports directions before attempting Lakes Entrance. Carry appropriate lines and fenders, and do not let a confirmed berth pressure the skipper into an unsafe entrance crossing.

Ideal for

Gippsland Lakes cruisers and experienced coastal boats under the 20-by-6-metre berth envelope seeking a secure, serviced short stay in central Lakes Entrance.

What we love

• Only five premium berths, creating an exclusive small-scale stop.
• Generous 20-by-6-metre berth footprints for suitable vessels.
• Water, shore power and gated access included.
• A central Lakes Entrance position close to town services.
• Immediate connection to the wider Gippsland Lakes cruising network.

To keep in mind

Bookings go through Lonsdale Cruises and the vessel must fit wholly within its berth. Only a handful of spaces exist. Coastal arrivals must independently judge the dynamic Lakes Entrance bar using current official information.