UPDATE TOUR and TAXI SERVICE will resume from Saturday 11 September
SEA-SAFARI on Research Vessel "LAKES-EXPLORER MSV 11438" operates on the Gippsland Lakes, based at the Port of Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland, Victoria. (320km east of Melbourne). WATER TAXI available to Barrier Landing, Flagstaff Jetty or Metung. Brochures at Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre.
Lakes-Explorer MSV 11438
Join skipper Pete for an unique and educational Sea-Safari on Research Vessel Lakes-Explorer. Either one or two hour Sea-Safaris available.
DEPARTURE POINT: Post Office Boardwalk or North Arm Jetty (near Sports Ground), Rowe Street Lakes Entrance.
Usually THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY or other days by prior arrangement. Water Taxi possible on these days.
Aerial photo of Lakes Entrance and Rigby Island. 2006
10.00am Two hour RIGBY ISLAND Commencing at either Post Office Jetty or North Arm Jetty (near Sports Ground) to navigate Rigby Island via Rigby Beach, Barrier Landing and view of the ocean entrance. Usually 10.00am Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Subject to suitable weather. Along the way get involved in sea-bird, sea-horses, zoo-plankton and marine life identification or water test for salinity levels. Take-home work-sheet available. Minimum passengers = 3. Adult $20. Student/Senior $15. Booking essential: 5155 5027 or 04585 11438
Afternoon by demand. One hour HARBOUR & ENTRANCE Sea-Safari. Pick-up at Post Office Boardwalk to cruise past commercial Port of Lakes Entrance and Bullock Island to view the ocean entrance and North Arm Lake. Along the way, identify, monitor and record sea-birds. Take-home work-sheet available. Minimum passengers = 2. Adult. $12 Senior/Student. $8 On-board phone 04585 11438 for details. Purchase tickets on-board. Maximum 10 passengers. Check notice board at Post Office Jetty or phone for details.
Sea-Safari is the concept of skipper Pete, based on land safaris, where a small group travel in a custom built vessel to search, investigate and record sea-birds and marine life in and around Lake Entrance. On a Sea-Safari we hope to......
Identify, count and record sea-birds and marine life.
A take-home worksheet available.
Test the water for salinity (salt) levels.
Navigate waterways using GPS and Chart-plotter technology.
Visit remote lake-side beaches.
SEA-SAFARIs have a maximum of 10 participants and run most Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays if weather is suitable. Look for a white vessel, blue roof and marked Lakes-EXPLORER MSV 11438. Please check details on the notice board at the start of Post Office Jetty. Groups larger than 10 can be catered on "Lonsdale Eco-Cruises" Lakes Entrance 0413 666 638
Bookings for a Sea-Safari can be made one or more days in advance on 5155 5027 or peter@lakes-explorer.com.au . Tickets for a Sea-Safari can be purchased on-the-day from the skipper (if space available - max. 10 passengers). 04585 11438
Not suitable for children under 4. No credit card facilities.
Fees and Itinerary subject to change. Current til 1st July 2010.
SEA-SAFARI is an outdoor activity to remote places which do not have vehicle access. Passengers should wear suitable clothing and footwear, bring personal sun protection, food and drinking water. Lakes-Explorer does not have a toilet however some on-shore stops are close to public toilets. Quality binoculars and identification guides are available for use on Lakes-Explorer MSV 11438.
WATER TAXI 04585 11438: Lakes Explorer may be booked as a water taxi between various locations close to Lakes Entrance including Flagstaff Jetty, Barrier Landing, Rigby Island, North Arm, Nyerimilang Beach and Metung (Subject to suitable weather).
TAXI FEES (Oneway) Barrier Landing = $20 Flagfall + $5 per person. Flagstaff Jetty (Entrance) = $10 Flagfall + $5 p/p. Metung = $40 Flagfall + $10 p/p. Subject to suitable weather. One Hour = $40 Flagfall + $10 per Person. Water taxi available for trips from Barrier Landing to Lakes Entrance Township which may suit Charter Boats which can not access Lakes Entrance Township.
VESSEL: 7.5 metre modern aluminum ferry is surveyed by Marine Safety Victoria to carry 12 passengers. Lakes-Explorer MSV 11438 has front access for pick-up/drop-off on beaches and river banks. Quiet reliable 4 Stroke 115HP (2010) motor. Full range of electronics including GPS-Chartplotter and salinity meter. Quality binoculars available.
SKIPPER: Peter Johnstone. Coxswain. Thirty years experience in land, coastal and marine management including National Parks. Also qualified in Marine Interpretation, snorkeling, First Aid and cartography. Member of MESA, AMSA and Eco-tourism Australia. Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator PV1859. Acredditted Eco-Guide. Cert. 3 Tourism Guiding - Marine Interpretation.
BOOKINGS and FURTHER INFORMATION: 03 5155 5027 On-board phone 04585 11438 Brochures at Lakes Entrance Visitor Centre Great place to eat: Funkey Monkey Bakery, Myer Street. Great place to stay: Allambi Holiday Apartments, www.allambi.com.au Weather report: www.bom.gov.au
We look forward to seeing you on-board or hearing from you. You can also contact us at our e-mail address: peter@lakes-explorer.com.au
Terms and conditions of Gippsland Lakes Sea-Safari: The skipper will endeavor to conduct an informative one or two hour voyage however can not guarantee times, locations or duration. The skipper reserves the right to change, modify or cancel a Sea-Safari for unsuitable weather conditions, passenger safety, group interest or other activities or events outside the control of the skipper. Passengers should phone 5155 5027 or 04585 11438 on the morning to confirm the Sea-Safari is running.
Fees and Itinerary subject to change: Update: 29 May 2010
Lakes-Explorer MSV 11438
Aerial photo of Lakes Entrance and Rigby Island. 2006 
SKIPPER: Peter Johnstone. Coxswain. Thirty years experience in land, coastal and marine management including National Parks. Also qualified in Marine Interpretation, snorkeling, First Aid and cartography. Member of MESA, AMSA and Eco-tourism Australia. Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator PV1859. Acredditted Eco-Guide. Cert. 3 Tourism Guiding - Marine Interpretation.