Lakes Entrance Marina / Gippsland Ports Berthing

About Lakes Entrance Marina / Gippsland Ports Berthing

Lakes Entrance is the maritime gateway between Bass Strait and the Gippsland Lakes, and its marina story is spread across a network of Gippsland Ports berths rather than a single resort-style complex. Commercial fishing boats, local owners and visiting cruisers all share this working waterfront. We think that mix is the appeal: a stay here feels connected to the town's seafaring life while putting an extraordinary inland waterway within immediate reach.

Gippsland Ports manages permanent berths and swing moorings across the region through an application and waiting-list system. Allocation depends on the oldest suitable registration as well as the vessel's length, beam and draft, so joining the list does not guarantee a particular location. Visiting boats have a separate option at Cunninghame Quay, where up to five Premium Valet Berths are offered for short stays and managed locally by Lonsdale Cruises.

The premium berths are published at 20 metres long by 6 metres wide, with the entire vessel required to remain inside that footprint. Water, shore power and a security gate make them particularly useful for cruising crews who want a serviced stop close to town. Elsewhere, colour-coded public berths and public swing moorings provide time-limited access under local rules. What stands out to us is the flexibility, provided skippers understand which berth type they are using.

Lakes Entrance rewards crews with easy access to cafés, supplies and the broader Gippsland Lakes, but the ocean approach demands respect. The entrance is a dynamic bar and should never be treated as routine simply because marina space is available. Skippers need current official entrance information, weather and tide assessment, and local guidance where appropriate. Fuel, pump-out, lifting, repairs and contractor access also vary around the port and should be arranged with the relevant operator.

Our take is that Lakes Entrance suits experienced coastal cruisers seeking a practical stop before exploring the lakes, as well as local owners wanting managed long-term berthing. The valet option adds welcome certainty for a short visit, while the wider public network supports brief access for self-sufficient boats. Confirm the precise facility, stay limit, vessel fit and utility arrangements before arrival. With the approach planned carefully, this is a memorable gateway to one of Victoria's great boating regions.

Services

Gippsland Ports manages long-term berths and swing moorings through an application and waiting-list process. Allocation considers registration order and whether a vessel's length, beam and draft suit an available site. Mooring holders must meet ongoing declaration requirements. Contact Gippsland Ports for current fees, eligibility, insurance conditions and vacancies rather than assuming a berth can be transferred or occupied casually.

For short visits, Cunninghame Quay has up to five Premium Valet Berths managed by Lonsdale Cruises. They are published as 20 metres by 6 metres and provide water, shore power and gated security. The vessel must fit entirely within the berth. Reserve ahead and confirm access, electrical connection, check-in, maximum stay and any after-hours procedure directly with the manager.

The port also has colour-coded public berths with signed time limits and public swing moorings that generally allow stays of up to 48 hours, subject to posted vessel limits and availability. Consult Waterways Online and current Gippsland Ports notices before use. Fuel, pump-out, showers, lifting, repairs and waste facilities are not universal across this distributed network, so organise each need separately. Coastal arrivals must independently assess the Lakes Entrance bar using current official information and conditions.

Ideal for

Experienced coastal cruisers visiting the Gippsland Lakes, self-sufficient boats needing time-limited public access and local owners seeking managed long-term berthing.

What we love

• A true gateway to the Gippsland Lakes
• Serviced short-stay berths at Cunninghame Quay
• Water, power and gated premium access
• Several public berthing and mooring options
• A lively working waterfront close to town

To keep in mind

Lakes Entrance has a dynamic ocean bar, so use current Gippsland Ports information and make an independent passage assessment. Confirm which berth system applies, its time limit and the vessel-size rules. Fuel, pump-out, repairs and other services may be elsewhere in the port and should be arranged separately.