As you might expect from the area's popularity, LAKES ENTRANCE is a big, rather tawdry, tourist town, with loads of motels at either end of town as you enter from the highway. There are all sorts of attractions aimed at keeping holidaying children happy - from Fun Park to minigolf - on the Esplanade, which fronts onto an arm of Lake King. The Griffiths Sea Shell Museum at 125 Esplanade (daily 10am-5pm; $4), with its rather off-putting 1950s-style facade, has a huge collection of shells and marine life, as well as an aquarium containing an intriguing assortment of fish from the Gippsland Lakes. Lakes Entrance is also a big fishing port : the Fishermans Cooperative Wharf has a viewing platform where you can watch the catch being unloaded, as well as a tantalizing fish shop.

Beaches are obviously the big attraction here. Lakes Entrance Surf Beach, a substantial stretch of white sand patrolled in season by surf lifesavers, can be reached via a footbridge across the lake to Hummocks Reserve. Of the many lake cruises on offer, one of the most popular is the trip from the Club Hotel jetty at the western end of town, up North Arm to the Wyanga Park Winery - the most famous local winery - on the fringe of the Colquhoun Forest, in the winery's own boat, The Corque (daily lunch cruise $35, Thurs, Fri & Sat dinner cruise $50, Sun brunch cruise $28; book at Lakes Entrance Tourist Information, or through the winery on 03/5155 1508). The winery also run a non-landing morning tea cruise (Mon-Sat 9am; $18). Other lake activities include environmentally friendly, electrically-powered cruises on Lake Tyers, just east of Lakes Entrance, with MB Rubeena (boats leave from Fisherman's Landing; from $17; tel 03/5155 1283), parasailing with Parasailing Victoria (tel 03/5155 3032) and three-hour fishing trips, including morning or afternoon tea, with Mulloway Fishing Charters (tel 0427 943 154). Those who prefer less watery pursuits could try the excellent Lakes Entrance Wilderness Trail Rides, offering horseback treks for all levels through bushland replete with all sorts of wildlife ($25 per hour, call for longer or overnight rates; tel 03/5156 3288).