The Lakes Adventure Festival in Lakes Entrance, Victoria, offers a distinctive outdoor escape where nature isn’t just a backdrop but an active companion. This lively event stretches over several days, inviting adventurers of all levels to engage with the region’s rugged coastlines, forest trails, and shimmering waters. The festival combines guided hikes, kayak tours, and local cultural experiences, creating an engaging mix of challenge and celebration.

Start your journey with the Coastal Cliff Walk, a 10-kilometer round trip boasting elevation gains of around 200 meters. The terrain ranges from soft soil paths winding through coastal flora to rocky outcrops that demand sure footing. The wind pulls at you here, daring you to push forward while offering panoramic views of Bass Strait’s white-capped waves. Forested sections cool the air and soften each step, with the scent of eucalyptus sharpening your senses.

For paddlers, the kayak tours across the Gippsland Lakes manifest nature’s playfulness and power. The lakes tease you with silent stretches and moments where currents slip beneath the wind, testing balance and stamina. Guided by locals, you’ll navigate narrow channels fringed by reed beds, home to black swans and pelicans that glide like living shadows.

Preparation is key: robust waterproof footwear will serve you better over uneven ground, while layered clothing ensures flexibility against unpredictable spring breezes or summer heat. Hydration packs are non-negotiable – the festival’s array of activities can easily lead to dehydration if you underestimate the outdoor exertion.

Each night, gather by festival hubs where local food vendors and storytelling sessions bring the environment’s history alive. Indigenous culture is an essential thread here, illuminating the relationship between the land and the people who cherish it.

The Lakes Adventure Festival is a call to engage with a landscape that is fiercely itself—neither tamed nor silent. It challenges you but rewards every step, paddle, and breath with raw, accessible adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or seeking your first real taste of outdoor challenge, this festival offers an unmatched blend of immersive natural beauty and practical outdoor activity.