The Lakes National Park

Adjoining the subdivision of Loch Sport is one of the most famous and beautiful national parks in Victoria. The Lakes National Park is 5,288 acres of primitive country cut off on three sides by Lakes. The prolific and exotic plant life includes the mahogany gum, which has been almost obliterated by the early settlers; and the fragile, starry flowered eastern thryptomene, exclusive to this area.

Bird life includes a green and crimson ground Parrot recently listed by the International Wildlife Office for Protection of Nature as "a vanishing species" the survival of which, according to government authorities, is of international concern.

Animals are in great abundance, Koala Bear, Echidna, Wallabies, Kangaroos of various varieties, Emu, Possums, Hog Deer, Wombats are common. But again the National Park has a rare animal feature; the Phylacine has been seen in this Park, long thought extinct this beautiful canine animal marked in a tiger pattern has been seen numerous times in the past few decades, its large paw pad marks have been seen by dozens of people. They are extremely timid, therefore considered harmless.

The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve. The park occupies 2,390 hectares of low-lying woodland and coastal heath, consisting of Sperm Whale Head peninsula, Rotamah and Little Rotamah Islands.

Things to Do

Call into the park office in Loch Sport during office hours and view the information displays, exhibits and 'touch table'. The most popular of several picnic areas is at Point Wilson, the site of the original settlers' homestead.

Camping is permitted at Emu Bight only, close to the shore of Lake Victoria. A network of walking tracks exists and the gently undulating tracks are suitable for family outings.

The self guided Lake Reeve Nature Trail, featuring the Lookout Tower, is a popular short walk through several habitats with many points of interest along the way. Situated at the beginning of the Nature Trail, the Lookout Tower affords magnificent views of Lake Reeve and the Gippsland Lakes system.

The picnic area at Point Wilson has barbecues, a day shelter, toilets, water and a jetty.

The camping area at Emu Bight has a communal shelter, fireplaces, toilets and water.

Heritage

The Gippsland Lakes area was once part of a large bay. Over many thousands of years sands deposited by the sea have formed a series of barriers including the Sperm Whale Head Peninsula, Little Rotamah Island and Rotamah Island.

The outer barrier eventually enclosed the bay and formed the Ninety Mile Beach. These barriers are up to 38 metres high and enclose the waters that make the Gippsland Lakes. Aborigines of the Kurnai nation were numerous in the area at the time of European arrival as can be seen by the many shell middens in the sand dunes along the Ninety Mile Beach.

The abundant wildlife and mild climate of the Gippsland Lakes provided plenty of food, making it an ideal area to inhabit.

In the summer of 1840 explorer Angus McMillan reached the shores of Lake Victoria and soon after cattle runs were taken up in the district. During this period much of the area now covered by park was cleared and cultivated for grazing.

Through the efforts of Mr. F.W.C Barton and the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, 1,451 hectares on the Sperm Whale Head peninsula was reserved in 1927 for the purposes of a national park and proclaimed "The Lakes National Park in 1956".

Rotamah Island and Little Rotamah Island were added to the park in 1978. Natural bushland has since regenerated and much of the wildlife has returned to the area.

Fauna

More than 190 species of birds have been recorded in the park including the rare White Bellied Sea Eagle and the endangered Little Tern. The park also supports a large population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies. Brush-tailed Possums and Ring-tailed Possums are also common. Less common mammals include Sugar Gliders, Pygmy Possums and the endangered New Holland Mouse.

The rare Large-footed Myotis is one of eleven bat species also found within the park. Vegetation Eucalypt and banksia woodland are widespread on the sandy soils throughout the park.

Areas of coastal heath are interspersed with swampy, low-lying areas that support salt marsh vegetation.

From August to November, the park is at its best with a spectacular show of wildflowers and one of the best displays of native orchids in Australia. Several rare plant species occur including Ribbed Thryptomene (Thryptomene micrantha) which, apart from this area, is found only in Tasmania and the York and Eyre Peninsulas in South Australia.

Looking After the Park

Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided and not at all on days of Total Fire Ban. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving and are not permitted on the Ninety Mile Beach. Dogs, cats, generators and firearms are not permitted.

All native plants and animals in the park are protected by law.

Take your rubbish with you.

Precautions

Many kangaroos and birds frequent the picnic areas but please do not feed them because our processed foods are not part of their normal diet.

When driving or riding motor bikes around the park tracks and roads, please drive slowly and take care not to churn up the sand too much. Be on the look out for animals and pedestrians at all times.

Warning: All road laws apply inside the parks areas.

For further information go to the Parks web site at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or call into the Park Rangers office at the entrance to the Park. You will find some very interesting artifacts on display there.