🔍

Lakes Entrance

VIC 3909 • Rest of VIC

5,145
Population (2021)
$45,032
Median Household Income
29.60 km²
Area
$252/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTourist HubRetiree-HavenLakesidePeaceful

About Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance is a coastal town on Victoria's East Gippsland coast, situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne within the East Gippsland Shire. With a population of around 5,145 and a median age of 55, the town has a notably older demographic, attracting retirees drawn to its relaxed waterway setting. The area spans nearly 30 square kilometres along the shores of the Gippsland Lakes — one of Victoria's largest and most significant natural water systems.

Lakes Entrance is a popular tourism destination renowned for fishing, boating, and beaches, with the iconic footbridge connecting the town to Ninety Mile Beach a much-loved local landmark. The Esplanade serves as the commercial heart of the town, home to a Woolworths, restaurants, and shops that bustle during the summer holiday season. Lower median household incomes reflect the town's retiree-heavy and tourism-oriented economy, but Lakes Entrance offers an enviable lifestyle for those seeking waterfront living, outdoor recreation, and a peaceful pace of life far from the city.

Lakes Entrance falls under postcode 3909 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3909
Urban Area
East Gippsland
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.86°, 148.00°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
29.60 km²
Elevation
76m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Lakes Entrance for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$520K
21 sales · ▼ 8% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$252
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,227
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.1%

119 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale
70 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Bairnsdale then train to Melbourne 30-40 min to Bairnsdale

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
320 km
By Train
Approx 4.5 hrs (coach to Bairnsdale, train to Southern Cross)
By Car (Peak)
3 hrs 30-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hrs 15-30 min

🛣️ Princes Highway (A1) is the main road route. V/Line coach connects to Bairnsdale for train to Melbourne.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The compact town centre, Esplanade, and waterfront are walkable; a car is needed for beaches and outlying areas.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    371 The Esplanade Lakes Entrance 3909 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the East Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains Lakes Entrance. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
295.4 / 100k
2yr Up 17.1% 10yr Down 31.6%
Motor vehicle theft
146.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 147.7%
Non-FV assault
462.2 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Up 26.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
379.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 37.0%
View all offence subgroups for East Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,810
Census 2021
5,145
▲ 7.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,336
Personal Income 2021
$26,728
▲ 9.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$26,728 / yr
$514/wk
Household
$45,032 / yr
$866/wk
Family
$62,504 / yr
$1202/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,895
Born Overseas 686

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 204
  • 2. New Zealand 59
  • 3. Italy 40
  • 4. Netherlands 34
  • 5. Scotland 32
  • 6. India 31
  • 7. Philippines 31
  • 8. Germany 28
  • 9. China 22
  • 10. United States 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,039
Australian 2,008
Scottish 549
Irish 509
Italian 219
German 202
Australian Aboriginal 185
Dutch 122
Chinese 51
Greek 44

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,237
Both parents born in Australia
908
Both parents born overseas
464
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
44.7%
Christianity
42.2%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
237 (4.6%)
5-14 years
520 (10.1%)
15-19 years
223 (4.3%)
20-24 years
160 (3.1%)
25-34 years
398 (7.7%)
35-44 years
489 (9.5%)
45-54 years
495 (9.6%)
55-64 years
773 (15.0%)
65-74 years
1,052 (20.4%)
75-84 years
598 (11.6%)
85+ years
197 (3.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lakes Entrance known for? +

Lakes Entrance is Victoria's premier fishing port, known for its fresh seafood, the iconic footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach, the Gippsland Lakes system for boating and fishing, and as a popular holiday destination attracting visitors from across Victoria and interstate.

How far is Lakes Entrance from Melbourne? +

Lakes Entrance is approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, around a 3 hour 30-45 minute drive via the Princes Highway through Gippsland.

Does Lakes Entrance have public transport? +

Lakes Entrance is served by V/Line coach services connecting to Bairnsdale station (approximately 70 km west), which then provides train services to Melbourne Southern Cross. The total journey to Melbourne is around 4.5 hours by public transport.

What is the population of Lakes Entrance? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lakes Entrance has a population of approximately 5,145 permanent residents, though the town's population swells significantly during holiday periods with tourism.

Is Lakes Entrance a good place to live? +

Lakes Entrance is ideal for retirees, fishing enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle in the stunning Gippsland Lakes region. The tourism-based economy provides local employment, and the natural surroundings — beaches, lakes, and forests — are exceptional.

What is the postcode for Lakes Entrance? +

The postcode for Lakes Entrance is 3909.

What is the average income in Lakes Entrance? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lakes Entrance is about $514 per week (around $26,700 per year). The median household income is $866 per week and the median family income is $1,202 per week.

What is the median house price in Lakes Entrance? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $520,000, down 8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Lakes Entrance? +

The median age in Lakes Entrance is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,052 residents, around 20%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 36% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lakes Entrance a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lakes Entrance is part of the East Gippsland LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Lakes Entrance? +

In Lakes Entrance, the median weekly rent is $252, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,227 (2021 Census).