The best cycling routes in Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park offers a selection of 7 touring cycling routes. These routes cater to various skill levels, including 2 easy, 4 moderate, and 1 difficult option, ensuring there's a suitable ride for most cyclists.

You'll experience a diverse range of landscapes, from coastal lagoons and sand dunes along the expansive Ninety Mile Beach to tranquil lakeside settings with eucalypt trees and heathy woodlands. The park is characterized by its unique interconnected system of wetlands and coast, where seven major rivers converge into the Gippsland Lakes system.

The park offers cycling opportunities year-round. However, for the most comfortable experience, consider visiting during the milder seasons of spring and autumn when temperatures are pleasant and the natural scenery is vibrant. Summer can be warm, especially along exposed coastal sections, while winter offers cooler, often crisp conditions.

Yes, several routes offer circular options. For example, the Lakes Discovery Trail – Griffiths Sea Shell Museum loop from Lakes Entrance is a popular moderate route, and the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum loop from Great Lakes Airfield provides an easier, shorter loop through coastal areas.

Route durations vary significantly. Shorter, easier loops like the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum loop from Great Lakes Airfield can be completed in just over an hour. Longer, more challenging routes, such as the Lakes Discovery Trail – Stony Creek Trestle Bridge loop from Lakes Entrance, can take over 5 hours to complete, offering options for both day trips and multi-day planning.

Yes, there are routes suitable for beginners. The park features easy options like the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum loop from Great Lakes Airfield, which is 17 km long with minimal elevation gain, making it ideal for those new to touring cycling or looking for a relaxed ride.

You'll find a mix of surfaces. While many segments are paved, some routes, particularly those following historic tramways or through bushland, may include unpaved sections. The terrain ranges from flat coastal plains to gentle undulations, with some routes featuring significant elevation gains for a more challenging experience.

While direct public transport to all trailheads within the park might be limited, nearby towns like Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Metung, or Bairnsdale serve as good starting points and may have regional transport connections. From these towns, you can often access the beginning of routes like the Lakes Discovery Trail.

Yes, touring cyclists have several options for overnight stays. Free camping sites are available along Shoreline Drive from Paradise Beach to Seaspray. Additionally, paid campsites exist, including at Paradise Beach and the more remote, boat-accessible Bunga Arm. Nearby towns like Loch Sport, Paynesville, Metung, or Lakes Entrance also offer various accommodation choices.

The park is a haven for wildlife. Cyclists often have opportunities for birdwatching, spotting migratory waders, vulnerable Fairy Terns, and Little Terns. The rare Burrunan Dolphin can sometimes be seen in the lakes. In the bushland and forest areas, you might encounter terrestrial wildlife such as lyrebirds, wombats, wallabies, and possums.

Yes, the park offers cultural interest alongside its natural beauty. You can find historical elements such as the rusting remains of the Trinculo, a ship beached in 1879, and evidence of an old granite quarry and historic light rail tramways. Nyerimilang Heritage Park, with its clifftop homestead and gardens, is also a notable attraction nearby.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 3.8 stars. Reviewers often praise the diverse scenery, from coastal views to tranquil lakeside paths and eucalypt woodlands. The variety of routes, catering to different abilities, and the opportunities for wildlife spotting are also frequently highlighted.

Generally, no specific permits are required for touring cycling on designated trails within Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. However, if you plan to camp, especially at paid sites, you should check with Parks Victoria for any booking requirements or fees. For more detailed information, you can visit the official Parks Victoria website: parks.vic.gov.au.