This coastal town swells with visitors keen to enjoy long summer days at the beach and explore the Gippsland Lakes, a vast system of inland waterways.

Why is Lakes Entrance so popular for holidaymakers?

Lakes Entrance is a popular holiday destination during summer holidays in Victoria because there is so much to do.

People come here to go fishing, boating, kite-surfing, enjoy BBQs by the beach, surf and play cricket on the beach, eat out, and take long walks in balmy weather in the evenings.

Lakes Entrance caters to everyone.

Whether you’re travelling with a group of friends, as a couple, or with children, Lakes Entrance has something to offer every kind of traveller.

When this coastal town fills up, the vibe and atmosphere is fantastic. And, of course, accommodation options get heavily booked during busy periods.

And, of course, everybody wants to stay in a prime location to enjoy the best of what Lakes Entrance has to offer.

Best Area to Stay in Lakes Entrance?

There are two stunning beaches in Lakes Entrance. One is called Eastern Beach (my favourite of the two). The other is Lakes Entrance Main Beach, also known as Ninety Mile beach.

Naturally, most visitors want to reserve a site at a caravan park that gives them easy access to at least one of these beaches. 

If you search for the best Lakes Entrance caravan parks in Victoria online, you will see a broad range of caravan parks in this small town.

I’ve been visiting ‘Lakes’ for the summer holidays with my family for as long as I can remember; it’s like a second home.

I’ve stayed in multiple caravan parks in Lakes Entrance  over the years. Most are fine, but there is a handful that I wouldn’t recommend.

I’ve listed my top three Lakes Entrance caravan parks recommendations. 

So, let’s get to it! I can confidently tell you that the best Lakes Entrance caravan parks listed below will tick all your boxes. 

1. NRMA Eastern Beach (#1 Best Lakes Entrance Caravan Parks)

This park is my favourite of the three Lakes Entrance caravan parks I’ve recommended here. NRMA Holiday Park is a stone’s throw from Eastern Beach, the ideal location.

You can set up camp here on one of their unpowered or powered sites or choose from a range of on-site cabins & villas that can sleep up to 8 people. 

lakes entrance caravan parks cabins and villas
Villas for rent at one of the best Lakes Entrance caravan parks to spend your holidays. Photo Credit: NRMA Parks and Resorts

This park has some fantastic facilities, including a pool, a games room, a playground and a huge jumping pillow for the kids.

This is one of the best Lakes Entrance caravan parks to stay. I’d suggest making reservations here well in advance.

This park books out quickly During holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR CABINS/VILLAS

Address: 42 Eastern Beach Rd, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909

2. Koonwarra Family Holiday Park (Pet friendly)

If you’re searching for the ‘best Lakes Entrance caravan parks pet friendly places to stay’, then you’ve found it.

Koonwarra is already one of the best Lakes Entrance caravan park because of its location and facilities, but it’s a very popular park for pet owners for sure.

Note: It has a pet-friendly policy for guests staying on the powered sites during the quieter months or at the manager’s discretion. It’s worth checking with management if bringing your pet before making your reservation is OK.

Koonwarra Family Holiday Park has a very convenient location. The town centre is less than a 10-minute walk from restaurants, shops, parks, and attractions.

The footbridge to the beautiful 90 Mile Beach is also here. This stunning stretch of surf beach is where the Gippsland Lakes meets the ocean. 

In terms of facilities, the park has a lot to offer. Let’s start with the large swimming pool surrounded by green grass and shady palm trees, the perfect spot to relax on your holiday

lakes entrance caravan parks Koonwarra
Koonwarra Holiday Park – Lakes Entrance Caravan Parks Dog Friendly

There’s a kid’s playground and games room to keep the kids entertained, a couple of shared camp kitchens on-site, laundry facilities, and even a designated fish cleaning area.

A bonus for keen fishermen staying in this park is they have storage room available for boats due to the several acres of land that the park occupies.

Koonwarra Family Holiday Park offers visitors a range of accommodation choices to suit all budgets and personal requirements.

In addition to offering spacious grassy powered campsites, they’ve got some very comfortable luxury villas and cabins for rent too.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR CABINS/VILLAS

Address: 687 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909

3. North Arm Tourist Park

Located along Marine Parade, on the beautiful North Arm of Lakes Entrance, this is a fantastic park to base yourself. This quiet park is especially convenient for those who wish to be near the boat launching ramp, too; it’s just down the road.

Alternatively, the park has a private jetty for mooring your boat, which is very convenient indeed.

The park is near shops, restaurants, and town attractions, an ideal location to explore the waterways of the Gippsland Lakes and 90 Mile Beach (the footbridge to the beach is around a 10-15-minute walk). 

The North Arm Tourist Park offers spacious, grass-covered powered sites and has some pet-friendly sites close to the water. They also have two-bedroom villas for rent – check prices and availability here.

lakes entrance caravan parks North Arm Tourist Park
Large powered & grassy sites at North Arm Tourist Park. The best Lakes Entrance caravan parks will offer this fantastic option for visitors. Photo Credit: northarmpark.com

The amenities are clean here, plus the well-equipped camp kitchen with free gas BBQs is a fantastic addition.

The swimming pool is perfect on those super hot days too. 

The North Arm Tourist Park ticks all the boxes for one of the best Lakes Entrance caravan parks to spend your holiday. Check out their website for more information.

Address: 76 Marine Parade, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909 

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Best Lakes Entrance Accommodation

Not the camping type? Is hotel accommodation more your style than staying in one of the Lakes Entrance caravan parks I mentioned?

No problem, there are some fantastic hotels in Lakes Entrance to suit every budget. See my recommendations below.

BUDGET HOTEL – The Esplanade Motel

Located in the heart of Lakes Entrance and offering free on-site parking for guests, this is a comfortable place to stay for budget-conscious travellers.

Rooms are at ground level offering en suite bathroom, air-conditioning, small refrigerator, toaster, tea/coffee making facilities, TV, and hairdryer.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PRICES AND AVAILABILTY

MID RANGE HOTEL – Coastal Waters Motor Inn

Situated on the Lake Entrance waterfront, this property features rooms with views of tropical gardens, a solar-heated pool, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms come complete with a Smart TV, air-conditioning, minibar, and kettle. There’s an option to treat yourself and reserve a room with a spa bath included. The property also offers free car and boat parking.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

LUXURY HOTEL – The Esplanade Resort & Spa

Perfectly located in the centre of Lakes Entrance, The Esplanade Resort & Spa is our top pick to enjoy a very comfortable stay in town. The large indoor heated swimming pool and the jacuzzi is a standout favourite with past guests.

Free private parking facilities are included in the room rate too. You can choose from either fully self-contained apartments (perfect for families) or hotel-style accommodation. Don’t miss dining at the restaurant on-site – guaranteed a memorable experience.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

lakes entrance caravan parks Gippsland Lakes waterways
Views of the Gippsland Lakes waterways, just before you enter the town.

As I mentioned, Lakes Entrance is a bustling place for Australian holidaymakers and International visitors. It’s a popular destination for visitors from Melbourne (drive time approximately 4 hours) and other coastal towns in NSW.

Remember to book Lakes Entrance caravan parks early to avoid missing out. We hope you enjoy Lakes Entrance.

Travel Tips for Australia

You may also enjoy reading about these 12 Classic Australian foods to try. I know for a fact that you will find a decent chicken parma and the freshest fish and chips you’ll find anywhere, right here in Lakes Entrance.

Our post on the best 5 restaurants in Lakes Entrance has all the details.

If you’re visiting more of Australia, you should check out these 8 best beaches in New South Wales.

We recently travelled the entire lap of Australia in our campervan (spending 18 months on the road and travelling roughly 35,000 km). These are our 9 best tips for the Big Lap Of Australia. What an adventure!

We visited many of the 30 Best Big Things in Australia, and our Reefsleep Experience on the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland was among many of our favourite memories.

To read more useful blogs about travelling in Australia, head to our AUSTRALIA Page.