Melbourne to Merimbula road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

Melbourne to Merimbula road trip attractions: Lakes Entrance and Lake Tyers

It’s a 40km drive from Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance, the most popular holiday town in the Gippsland Lakes region. On the way in, there are two good lookouts taking in the lakes at Kalimna.

Things to do in Lakes Entrance include nature-focused lake cruises with Lonsdale Eco Cruises and playing in the waves at Lakes Entrance beach.

For wallet-friendly Lake Entrance accommodation, try the Lakeside Motel Waterfront the NRMA Eastern Beach holiday park or the Cunningham Shore Motel.

From Lakes Entrance to Mallacoota, the drive gets much more rural. However, there are considerable rewards for occasional diversions off the Princes Highway.

Lake Tyers Beach is the first possibility. It’s another beach town, but quieter and more relaxed than Lakes Entrance. The drive then slips north of the Lake Tyers State Park and the Ewing Morass Wildlife Reserve.

Next section: Marlo and Cape Conran.