Melbourne to Lakes Entrance Road Trip: Scenic Stops & More

From Victoria’s capital city to the largest lake system in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne to Lakes Entrance road trip is pure RV-traveller gold. Tailor-made for motorhome tourists, this coastal escape includes stunning scenery, pristine nature sites, quaint roadside cafes, the freedom of wide roads, and loads of great stopovers. Winding through lush valleys and charming Gippsland towns before opening onto Victoria’s iconic Ninety Mile Beach, this route across southern Australia is as much about the journey as the destination, offering plenty of space to breathe

The Distance From Melbourne to Lakes Entrance

As far as road trips go, the distance from Melbourne to Lakes Entrance isn’t too strenuous, at between 320-330km via the Princes Highway (A1). Melbourne to Lakes Entrance drive time is around 4 to 4.5 hours without stops—but if you're travelling in an RV, this scenic route is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. This route is best spread out over 2 or 3 days to fully immerse in the relaxed pace, picturesque towns and motorhome-friendly overnight options. Mostly easy driving, the road is sealed and smooth the entire way, with plenty of wide shoulders, rest stops and regional petrol stations.

Suggested Route: Must-See Scenic Stops

Perfect for stop-and-explore RV drivers, the Melbourne to Lakes Entrance road trip via A1 offers all the meandering motorhome magic—rolling hills, thick forest, country towns, and coastal stretches. The best part of any driving holiday is what you find between point A and B, and this dream drive from Melbourne to Lakes Entrance takes in plenty of tantalising sites for photo ops, fragrant coffee with tasty treats, and the opportunity to slow down and take it all in.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley

An hour outside the city, veer off the Eastern Freeway toward the Yarra Valley, one of Victoria’s most scenic wine regions, which offers cellar doors, farm-fresh produce, and tree-lined winding roads. Idyllic Healesville delivers morning tea and brunch breaks galore, with cosy cafes, a wildlife sanctuary and the excellent Four Pillars Distillery for gin lovers. Especially popular in autumn for the golden foliage, discover the perfect lush forest backdrop for a riverside picnic in Warburton, a village tucked along the Yarra River surrounded by bush trails. You’ll find RV-friendly parking at several wineries and scenic rest areas. Be sure to check for signage indicating overnight stays.

Yarra Valley to Noojee

Back on the road for 1.5 hours on the Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road (C425) to the tiny, historic timber town of Noojee. Nestled among towering mountain ash trees, there are plenty of RV-accessible picnic spots, including the Noojee Trestle Bridge, Australia’s tallest surviving trestle bridge that’s now a rail trail relic. A great place to stretch your legs, marvel at the expansive sky or take some delightful pics. Larger rigs should be mindful of the narrow, winding roads, with a warning for big motorhomes to be cautious when attempting the detour through Walhalla.

Moe and Traralgon – Practical Pit Stops

The Latrobe Valley is a perfect midway point in your Melbourne to Lakes Entrance road trip. The towns of Moe, at 136km, and Traralgon, at 165km from the city, offer 24-hour refuelling stations, dump points, grocery stores, and public amenities with RV-friendly parking spaces. Between the two towns, you’ll find botanical gardens, historic Old Gippstown heritage park, art galleries and conservation reserves to wander through, along with fun watersports at Lake Narracan to get the blood pumping.

Traralgon to Sale

For lakeside views, roughly 45 minutes from Traralgon, Sale offers a charming maritime vibe and space to relax, while stocking up on supplies before heading towards Lakes Entrance. The Port of Sale features RV-accessible waterfront areas, public facilities, campsites, and easy-turnaround parking spaces. Meander through the botanical gardens and wetlands walk, or stroll the Historic Swing Bridge, built in the early 1880s, which still opens for river traffic heading downstream to the Gippsland Lakes, Australia’s largest inland waterway system.

Sale to Lakes Entrance – The Final Stretch

The 110km and 1-hour-and-20-minute stretch from Sale to Lakes Entrance on its own makes the entire Melbourne to Lakes Entrance road trip well worth the drive. A relaxing drive through flat farmland, dotted with glimpses of inland waterways, the road opens up to coastal landscapes and a gentle descent with ocean views. Arriving to beautiful beach walks and fresh local-caught seafood, you’ll find plenty of lookouts and picnic spaces to stretch your legs and breathe the salty air.

Delightful Detours: Tinamba, Paynesville and Metung

If the drive from Melbourne towards Lakes Entrance is taking less time than you’d planned and you’re keen for a slightly longer journey, take a scenic side-step from the main route with a few enchanting detours. Head inland to Tinamba, a tiny dairy town with a big-name dining spot—Tinamba Hotel—renowned for locally sourced dishes with award-winning Gippsland meals from the freshest local produce. Closer to the water, Paynesville invites you to slow down by the lake; take the free ferry to Raymond Island for koala spotting, then enjoy fresh seafood at Sardine Dining. Further along, Metung offers pleasant jetty strolls, drinks by Bancroft Bay at the Metung Hotel, and a soak at the Metung Hot Springs to melt away any driving stress, making it a blissful spot to linger.

Lakes Entrance: Popular Coastal Getaway

Lakes Entrance is where Victoria’s Gippsland Lakes meet the mighty Southern Ocean and is set on the traditional lands of the Gunai/Kurnai People. A playground for lovers of nature, water activities, delicious seafood, and a relaxed pace of life, Lakes Entrance is popular for enjoyable activities, including crossing the footbridge to the vast Ninety Mile Beach for walking, swimming and casting a line in the surf. Explore the lakes by kayak, hire paddleboats, join a scenic cruise or grab some bait to fish from one of the jetties or head to the nearest fish and chip shop for a mouthwateringly fresh meal.

Heading Home: Lakes Entrance to Melbourne

Now you know how long the drive from Melbourne to Lakes Entrance is, there’s no reason you can’t shake it up a bit on the way back. The return trip from Lakes Entrance to Melbourne can take a different route along the Great Alpine Road to Bairnsdale, Bruthen or Omeo East Gippsland towns, or even loop back via High Country and the Snowy River region for stunning views of rugged mountain ranges on an extended motorhome trip. Or simply retrace your route to spend more time enjoying the relaxed Gippsland region vibe.

If you’re keen to cruise the highway in your brand-new Apollo RV, contact our friendly sales office to discuss your needs and keep rolling wherever the road takes you.