It covers most of eastern Victoria and includes the towns of Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Omeo, Maffra and Heyfield.

Gippsland East is the state's third largest electorate in area and covers 27,544 square kilometres.

However at the 1999 election independent candidate Craig Ingram unexpectedly won the seat after receiving preferences from the independent, One Nation and Labor candidates.

[2] Ingram's victory affected state politics—Ingram and fellow Independents Susan Davies and Russell Savage contributed to the end of the Kennett era by agreeing to back Labor to form government after the 1999 election.

Bairnsdale, Boisdale, Briagolong, Bruthen, Buchan, Cann River, Dargo, Ensay, Heyfield, Lakes Entrance, Lindenow, Maffra, Mallacoota, Metung, Newry, Omeo, Orbost, Paynesville, Raymond Island, Stratford, Swan Reach, Swifts Creek and Wy Yung.