ECO-TOURS and WATER-TAXIBOOK on Phone 04585 11438 or SMS
January 2012 UPDATE Available every day in January
Water Taxi running each day up to 8pm or later by request.
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, Fraser Island or other local locations. KAYAKs available for hire. 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 hour or two hour Sea-Safaris available.
DEPARTURE POINTS: Post Office Boardwalk or North Arm Jetty (near Sports Ground Rowe Street) LAKES ENTRANCE or a beach or jetty as required.
Usually THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY or other days by prior arrangement. Water Taxi possible on any day (if booked ahead).
Aerial photo of Lakes Entrance and Rigby Island. 2006
10.00am Two hour RIGBY ISLAND Sea-Safari 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. Includes 1 or 2 short guided walks. Usually 10.00am Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Subject to suitable weather. Minimum age = 5 years old. Along the way get involved in sea-birds, sea-horses, zoo-plankton and marine life identification or water test for salinity levels. Take-home work-sheet available. Minimum passengers = 3. Adult $25. Student/Senior $20. Under 15 $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 the 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. $15 Senior/Student. $10 Under 15 YO. $5. On-board phone 04585 11438 for details. Purchase tickets on-board. Maximum 10 passengers. Suit young children. Please check notice board at Post Office Jetty or phone 04585 11438 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, more options at www.lakesentrance.com
Bookings for a Sea-Safari can be made one or more days in advance on 04585 11438 or SMS 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
2 hour Sea-Safari is not suitable for children under 5.
No credit card facilities, folding money only! BYO water, food and suitable footwear.
Fees and Itinerary subject to change. Current til March 2012.
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.
KAYAK HIRE Streamlined stable sit-in kayaks
Skipper Pete has 4 quality sit-in kayaks for hire, either half or full day. Kayaking can be part of a tour or delivered to a local location. Four kayaks can be hired with a trailer. Kayaks are 2 x EMOTION ADVANT-EDGE (large single: person up to 140kg) and 2 x EMOTION BLISS (medium single: person up to 70kg). Paddles, jackets, binoculars and skirts available. Popular locations: North Arm, Maringa Creek, Cunningham Arm or Flannigan Island. One way trips are possible in conjunction with Lakes-Explorer vessel. Paddlers to be over 10 years old.
Fees: Half day: $30 each kayak. Full day: $50 each kayak. Deposit: $100.
WATER TAXI 04585 11438 7am - 10pm
Lakes Explorer may be booked as a water taxi between various locations close to Lakes Entrance including Flagstaff Jetty, Barrier Landing, Rigby Island, Fraser Island, North Arm and Nyerimilang Beach (Subject to suitable weather). OPERATES between 7am - 10pm (or as required). Plenty of luggage space available. If urgent, please use SMS 0458 11438 as talking on the phone while the engine is running can be difficult....
WATER-TAXI FEES (One-way) Subject to suitable weather. No credit card facilities, folding money only!. Discount for larger groups or multiple trips. SEE MAP ABOVE - Various destinations including:
Barrier Landing = $5 p/p + $20 Flagfall Each way. Water taxi available for trips from Barrier Landing to Lakes Entrance Township which may suit Charter Boat passengers who can not access Lakes Entrance Township. Delivery service available (food, ice, etc)
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. Padded seats. Weather-proof. 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 Park Ranger. Also qualified in Marine Interpretation, snorkeling, First Aid and cartography. Member of LEBTA, EGRBTA, GCB, MESA and Eco-tourism Australia. Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator PV1859. Acredditted Eco-Guide. Cert. 3 Tourism Guiding - Marine Interpretation.
We look forward to seeing you on-board or hearing from you. Also contact us at our e-mail address: peter@lakes-explorer.com.au or twitter skipper_pete
Terms and conditions of Gippsland Lakes Sea-Safari: The skipper will endeavor to conduct an informative 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: 8 Jan 2012
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 Park Ranger. Also qualified in Marine Interpretation, snorkeling, First Aid and cartography. Member of LEBTA, EGRBTA, GCB, MESA and Eco-tourism Australia. Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator PV1859. Acredditted Eco-Guide. Cert. 3 Tourism Guiding - Marine Interpretation.