Things to do in Lakes Entrance with kids
So you are going on a holiday to Lakes Entrance and you are all about the relaxing, sun and good vibes. In the car on the drive up, you realise that the kids may have differing ideas about that a holiday in Lakes Entrance will look like for you!
Juggling the number of activities, relaxing and good vibes take some serious planning so luckily we have put together all of the very best things to do in Lakes Entrance with kids so you have more time for those easy holiday vibes you have been longing for.
The very best things to do in Lakes Entrance for kids
While you may worry that it is all about the beach there is so much more to do in Lakes Entrance with kids that you may find you’ll visit the town over and over again to get all the best things in Lakes Entrance ticked off your list.
These ideas are for all ages and they will definitely keep the whole family happy…they may even stir up some family rivalry if you are not careful.
Have an ice cream at the Riviera Ice Creamery
This amazing Ice Cream shop used to be on the Esplanade but has now moved just over the road past the traffic lights to a much smaller premises but the ice cream is still just as good.
There is so much to chose from that you’ll have to take your time and find your favourite flavor. This is one of the things in Lakes Entrance that we return to every year in either summer or winter.
Bike Riding also the Esplanade
Along the Esplanade in Lakes Entrance is a dual footpath which is great for a walk or a bike ride. There are plenty of places to stop and have a drink along the Esplande.
You will also find that they are plenty of grassy areas to stop and have a picnic of fish and chips or a coffee if there is no room in the cafes.
Toilets are located at the Footbridge. Check out the wooden sculptures along the way too.
Can I hire a bike in Lakes Entrance?
You absolutely can. Sometimes taking your bikes with you isn’t the easiest. You can hire bikes at the Venture Out Shop at 347B Esplanade, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909.
Bike rental will cost you; 1 hr $18 – 2 hrs $25 – Half Day $35 – Full Day $50. It’s a good idea if you have a helmet at home to take it with you.
Related post: See a historic site by visiting the Stony Creek Trestle bridge just out of Lakes Entrance. It’s the perfect place to go for a BBQ with kids in Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance paddle boat hire
There’s nothing like using the leg muscles to glide the kids along the water.
Just over the footbridge is a small shed where you can hire paddle boats, aqua bikes and canoes to get out on the water. They have to be used in the water out the front of the shed but it is a great way to spend some time.
How much is paddle boat hire?
| Item to hire | Cost |
| Paddle Boats | $25 |
| Paddle Boat Family | $45 |
| Aquabike | $25 |
| Canoe | $20 |
*Cost of hire is for 20 minutes during summer and 30 minutes during winter all depending on suitable weather
What are the opening times of the paddle boat hire?
- September School Holidays 10 am to 5 pm
- October Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
- November till Easter, every day 10 am to 5 pm
- Christmas School Holidays 10 am to 8 pm
- April School Holidays 10 am to 5 pm
- July School Holidays 10 am to 4 pm
- ALL public Holidays 10 am to 5 pm
*In the winter the opening hours will really depend on the weather. You can call the Lakes Entrance paddle boat hire on 0419 552 753 to make sure they are operating.
Top tips for paddle boat hire in Lakes Entrance
- Life jackets are supplied with your hire
- Make sure you take water with you and sunscreen
- 20 minutes may not seem like a long time but on the aqua bikes it seems to go forever
Skate Park
Just as you enter Lakes Entrance you’ll see the Skate Park to the right after you go over the bridge.
It’s a concrete park where a lot of kids hang out. If your kids need some time to chill out and maybe meet some new friends this will be a brillaint spot for it.
*Across from the Skate Park is the North Arm playground and BBQ area. It’s a great area to have a picnic lunch
Camel Rides on Eastern Beach
This has to be one of the most unique things to do in Lakes Entrance for any one visiting Gippsland. The Lakes Entrance Beach Camel rides are a seriously fun way to discover the 90 mile beach.
Located at the Eastern Beach (slightly out of Lakes Entrance towards Orbost) you can go on a 1 hour camel ride along the beach.
Is there an age limit for the Eastern Beach Camel Rides?
Children from 2-4 need to have an adult with them and although there is no age limit some children find the height of the camel a bit scary.
How much is the Lakes Entrance Beach Camel ride?
Below are the prices for the Lakes Entrance Camel rides.
| Ticket | Cost of camel ride |
| Adult | $90.00 |
| Child (5-16) | $70.00 |
| Child 0-5 (sitting with adult) | $30.00 |
Can I contact Lakes Entrance Camel rides?
If you are worried about how your child will deal with a camel ride or you want to organise your camel ride in Lakes Entrance give the owners of Lakes Entrance Camel rides a call and discuss with them your worries.
The number for the Lakes Entrance Camel rides is 0487032810
To find out all the information and book a camel ride click here
Griffiths Sea Shell Museum
If you are looking for an indoor activity then a lok at the Griffith Sea Shell Museum is for you. Here you can find so many different sea shells and some souviners from your stay in Lakes Entrance,
There is also also a small aquarium out the back for you to have a look at as well.
How much is entry to Griffiths Sea Shell Museum?
Entry to the gift shop is free but if you decide to enter the museum the prices are
| Museum ticket | Entry cost |
| Adult | $8.00 |
| Children (5-15 years) | $4.00 |
| Seniors (cardholders only) | $6.00 |
What are the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum opening hours?
Summer hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily
Winter hours are 10 am to 4 pm daily.
Discover more: A short day trip to Raymond Island will have the kids so excited. See Koalas in their natural habitat is amazing and a brilliant experience for kids
Mini Golf in Lakes Entrance
There are so many mini-golf courses along the Esplanade that you can choose the one that sticks out for you. Prices range from $10.00 for 18 holes up to $13.00.
Local Tip for mini golf in Lakes Entrance.
We actually take the kids to the Lakes Entrance mini-golf and trampolines located at 56 Roadknight St, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909. This mini-golf course is on one of the streets back from the Esplanade and also has trampolines there which they love.
The Footbridge Minigolf course also has a lolly shop and ice creamery inside. All kids win a prize when they play there,
Visit Nyerimilang Heritage Park
Take a look to the past with a visit to the Nyerimilang Heritage Park. The old Homestead dating back to 1894 will give you a glimpse into life back then with the Homestead, farm buildings and farm machinery.
The Entrance Walk
This may be better for families travelling with older kids or very young kids that can be carried in a sling or carrier.
The Entrance walk will take you along either the 90 mile beach or along the Lake Cunningham to the Entrance of the Gippsland Lakes. Here you can see seals on the rocks, dolphins, birds and boats coming in and out.
Ride the Thunderbird through the Lakes
Riding the Thunderbird through the Lakes is an excellent way to see wildlife. With a guided tour your captain will be able to show you everything you need to see while on the cruise. This would have to be one of the best things to do in Lakes Entrance with kids especially if they love wildlife.
Ride a Segway along the 90 mile Beach
Now, this would have to be the absolute best thing to do in Lakes Entrance and definitely the most memorable! Imagine you riding a segway along one of the world’s best beaches, well now you can actually do it.
The Lakes Entrance Segway Adventures offer a 90-minute cruise along the 90-mile beach from the Footbridge up to Eastern beach and back. For anyone looking for one of the top things to do in Lakes Entrance this should be top of the list.
How much is a Segway tour of the 90 mile beach?
Below are the prices for the Lakes Entrance Segway adventure tours of the 90 mile beach.
| Ticket | Cost |
| Adult (18+) | $89.00 |
| Children (12 – 17 years) | $59.00 |
| Pensioner | $59.00 |
Is there an age limit on Lakes Entrance Segway Adventures?
Your child does have to be 12 years old to ride the Segway in Lakes Entrance. There is also a 115 kg weight limit to ride the Segway.
To book your amazing Segway tour of Lakes Entrance click here
Things to do in Lakes Entrance in summer with kids
Lakes Entrance in the summer is a completely different town. It comes alive with visitors from all over who are there to enjoy the sun, fun and beach vibes. You will find that the town is bustling and full all the time.
Swim at the 90 mile beach
While you can swim at the 90 mile beach in eany weather if that is what you would like, you will find that the beach is patrolled in the summer months. Right near the Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club building is the best place f you are not a string swimmer.
The Life Saver will have picked the safest spoirt to swim there are the flag will be out,
If you are a string swimmer you can go slightly either side of the flags to get away from the crowds, surf or fish.
Surf Lesson on the 90 Mile Beach
You can book some surf lesson at The Surf Shack. With this, you will get a qualified surf teacher for 2 hours. This will cost you $60.00. A surfboard and wetsuit are provided for you.
*Check out the walkway into the Surf Shack shop. They are old boards from the Footbridge. What an awesome way to recycle some of Lakes Entrance history!
Are you camping in Lakes Entrance? Use our ultimate guide to what you need to bring when camping in Gippsland so you don’t forget a thing!
Summer foreshore carnival
During the summer months, you will find that a carnival comes to Lakes Entrance. As it is a huge family holiday destination in summer where families got to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The foreshore carnival is a great place to spend a couple of hours with the kids in Lakes Entrance.
Things to do in Lakes Entrance with kids in winter
Being a summer destination in Gippsland Lakes Entrance still does has a few activities that you can do in the winter months. Most of the activities in Lakes Entrance you can do in winter if you like but it can get cold!
Lakes Entrance Aquadome
If the beach is not your thing to do in Lakes Entrance with kids then the Aquadome might be the place for you. The Aquadome has 2 pools for you to swim in and on busy days there can also be activities that will keep the kids entertained.
How much is entry to the Lakes Entrance Aquadome?
There are extra areas in the Lakes Entrance Aquadome that you can pay to enter like the gym and join a water aerobics class but we have just included entry to the pool.
| Ticket | Cost of entry |
| Adult | $7.00 |
| Concession | $5.50 |
| Children | $5.50 |
Lakes Entrance Cinema
Some days there is just absolutely nothing you can do with the weather and the cinema may be your only option if it is that bad. Finding things to do in Lakes Entrance with kids in the driving rain is near on impossible. You can find many of the latest releases and definitely something that the kids will love.
What is the Lakes Entrance cinema address?
You will find the Lakes Entrance cinema at 52 Myer Street Lakes Entrance, VIC Australia 3909
As you can see there is so much to do in Lakes Entrance for families in any season. If you are planning a trip to Lakes Entrance or even a day trip to Lakes Entrance you will find so much to do.
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland has you inspired to visit Lakes Entrance. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our Gippsland Town Attractions Page for more brilliant Gippsland inspiration.
Some more travel inspiration for your trip to Gippsland
About the Author
Mark has grown up and lived in the Gippsland area all his life. “I think I know a thing or 2 about Gippsland”. When Mark is not working he is out exploring the best of Gippsland with his wife and kids
