It is situated approximately 320 kilometres (200 mi) east of Melbourne, near a managed, artificial channel connecting the Gippsland Lakes to Bass Strait.

[3] Lakes Entrance, which lies almost at sea level, can be reached from Melbourne via Bairnsdale and the town of Kalimna to the north-west by a stretch of the Princes Highway, which snakes down and around a point protruding into the Gippsland Lakes known as "Jemmy's Point".

The ninety-mile beach is a big tourist attraction and the various national parks of Gippsland touch the coastline of Lakes Entrance.

[6] It can be reached from Melbourne on a train to Bairnsdale, followed by an approximately 35 minute connecting bus ride.

Other towns include Swan Reach, Johnsonville, Kalimna, Nicholson, Metung and Lake Tyers.