LAKES-EXPLORER: Water-Taxi or 1 hour Wildlife Tours

Based at LAKES ENTRANCE: Water-Taxi to remote locations or 1 hour Wildlife Tours for up to 3 or 4 persons per trip.

Opening at 09:00 on Friday

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Testimonials

3 months ago

What a wonderful day trip. Other boat trips in the area were a bit too long for our 3 year old so this was ideal. Skipper Pete was fantastic and was so informative and knowledgeable. Will definitely do again and have already told others about using this service.

- June A

7 months ago

The 1 hour tour is value for money, very informative especially a good way to learn about the history of lakes entrance and wild life around.

- Leo M

a year ago

Fantastic morning out on the boat with Pete, very informative too! Lucky enough to have seen some seals as well!

- Tine V

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DEPARTURE based on suitable weather...

Business July UPDATE:

> 1 hour Wildlife Boat Tours of Harbour & Ocean Entrance.

> Water-Taxi (one-way trips) to remote locations.

- Max. 3 adult passengers.

- No enclosed spaces (Mask optional).

- All one family or group (one booking).

- QR registration

WILDLIFE BOAT TOURS: 1 hour Wildlife Sea-Safari. Up to 3 (or 4 including young child) Passengers only. Cost per trip (up to 3 adults): $50 ($17-$25pp).

Focus on harbour and ocean entrance wildlife including Pelicans, Seals and occasionally Dolphins... see wildlife list below….

Maximum up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children under 10yo per tour.

All tours and Water-Taxi service run by Skipper Pete:

Operating since 2007, Owner/Operator, Commercial Coxswain, Certified Eco-Guide (Eco-Tourism Australia), Licensed Tour Operator - DELWP Parks Victoria, former National Park Ranger (Coastal and marine), qualified Tour Guide, WWC Card, qualified Cartographer, active member of Birdlife Australia, member of Wildlife Tourism Australia. Involved in many wildlife citizen science projects.

WATER-TAXI SERVICE:

Is a ONE-WAY TRIP (to or from) between 2 locations. Drop-off at remote jetty, explore the area, pickup an hour or more later.... Departs to suit passengers. Popular for wildlife photographers, bush-walkers etc.

Up to 3 Adults and 1 child (under 10yo). $20-$60 per trip ($10-$30 per person) depending on distance. Operates around Lakes Entrance as required.

OPERATIONAL HOURS: 8am - 7pm (Close)

Pickup points include Post Office Jetty, Myers Street Jetty, North Arm (Aldi Store) Boat-Ramp and Skate-Ramp Boat-Ramp or as required....

Water-Taxi designed for access to remote beaches, jetties and houses, also bushwalkers and photographers looking for unique locations or wildlife. Details and fee structure below.

Payment options: Cash on board, SQUARE (Mobile Phone Credit Card transfer) or invoice.

Please check in advance via 0458511438 (or SMS) or peter@lakes-explorer.com.au to see when service is running.

WATER-TAXI destinations and fees:

LAKES ENTRANCE to/from OCEAN ENTRANCE (Flagstaff Jetty): EACH WAY. $20 (cash) for 2 persons ($10pp each way). $30 for 3 persons. Various pickup locations.

LAKES ENTRANCE to/from:

• North Arm Jetties

• Rigby Island

• Nyerimilang Homestead Jetty

• West Entrance Jetty

• Kalimna Jetty (Hotel)

• Fraser Island Retreat: Guests only.

• Barrier Landing Jetties

$30 for 2 persons ($15pp): $40 for 3 persons ($14pp): per trip each way.

Wyanga Winery Jetty. From $40 per trip.

Lakes Entrance to Nungurner Jetty. From $50 per trip each way ($25pp).

Lakes Entrance to Metung Jetty/Hotel. From $60 per trip each way ($30pp).

$90: Includes 20 minute stopover on return trip option available ($45pp).

Service closes at 6pm (Winter).

Discount for multiple trips on same day. Subject to suitable weather and availability..

PRIVATE CHARTER: Research & Contractors: For up to 3 passengers.

$70 per operating hour, $40 per standby hour. Approx. $200-$250 per half day. $300-$400 for full day.

Available at Lakes Entrance, Metung, Paynesville, Bairnsdale, Boole Poole, Lake Tyers, Nowa Nowa and major rivers. Transport to departure destination via waterway or our road trailer. Price On Application (Departure point, time of day, total time etc...).

Subject to suitable weather and availability.

COVID-19 Safe Plan.

* Regular cleaning and sanitising.

* Hand sanitising station.

* Designated personal space

* No enclosed seating

* QR Register of passengers

* Maximum 1.5 hour travel time

We have no enclosed seating spaces and only one family or group (single booking) per trip or tour. Our vessel has been modified to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

This website will be updated when things change...

Also on Facebook:

Lakes-Explorer at Lakes Entrance

LAKE TYERS: NOT AVAILABLE

2 hour Sea-Safaris (Wildlife Eco-Tours on the water).

Booking & Fees:

To organise suitable departure time contact Skipper Pete on 04585 11438 (SMS) or peter@lakes-explorer.com.au

Pay cash on board (preferred). Option to use SQUARE (Mobile Phone Credit Card Transfer) on board. Invoice by prior arrangement. Please book ahead via SMS 04585 11438

Wildlife:

The Gippsland Lakes attracts a wide range of wildlife including.... Burranun Dolphins, Australian & Long-nosed Fur Seals, Hog Deer, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Black Wallabies, Wombats, Pelicans, Royal Spoon-bills, White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Great Egrets, White-faced Herons, Cormorants (5 species), Masked Lapwings, Terns (Caspian, Crested, Fairy & Little), Coots, Teals (Chestnut & Grey), Oystercatchers (Pied & Sooty), Gulls (Pacific & Silver), Shell-Ducks, Hoary-headed Grebe, Hooded Plovers, Red-capped Plovers and others.....

We conform to all Government regulations for viewing of wildlife. We are a Licensed Tour Operator (Parks Victoria DELWP) and active members of Wildlife Tourism Australia and Birdlife Australia.

Lakes-Explorer: UVI 446091 (AMSA)

2016 Polycraft 5 metre built to commercial standard NSCV. AMSA Survey 2E (NS). Max. 4 passengers (+ Coxswain/Skipper). Mercury 90 Sea-Pro (2018). Cruise in main lakes at 37kph (20knots). Maximum speed in harbour and on rivers is 10kph (5knots). Some weather protection. Stormy-Sea/Marlin weatherproof PFDs available. No toilet on-board however public toilets are often near jetties. Vessel trailable to various locations.

AWARD WINNER: Lakes-Explorer won the 2018 East Gippsland Business Award for best Marine based business.

For your safety:

Water-Taxi services and Sea-Safaris are often to remote locations that do not have vehicle access. Please bring suitable clothing, footwear, water and any medical requirements. First Aid kit on vessel. Regular COVID-19 cleaning as part of COVID Safe Plan. Most areas are covered by Telstra Mobile Phone Network. The Skipper has the right to change or cancel an activity at any time.