Information for Campers

What will you do at Camp Cooinda?

In a week at one of our summer camps, you’ll explore the vast, unspoiled Gippsland Lakes. You’ll learn the joys of sailing, racing the dolphins across the lake with only the wind to power your boat. Or you’ll paddle your own canoe to campsites on Lake Victoria, Bunga Arm, Lake King or the Nicholson River. You’ll climb the sanddunes that separate the calm waters of the lakes from the wild surf of the Ninety Mile Beach. You’ll fish. You’ll swim. You’ll learn to read the weather. You’ll make friends. You’ll discover so much about these remote places. And even more about yourself.

Photo of campers paddling

All activities are done in small groups of campers who are around the same age. Campers sleep in groups of 4 or 5 with a group leader. Activity groups usually combine a girls' group with a boys' group to make an activity group of 8 - 10 campers and two leaders. We call this a patrol.

The first couple of days are spent on the water, learning the basics of canoeing, kayaking and safety. After this, each patrol can plan where they want to take the boats and camp overnight around the lakes. For ideas of where groups can go around the Lakes, check out the expedition locations page. If you like getting out on the water and making waves, you'll love canoeing, kayaking and sailing at Cooinda. Because we spend so much time on the water, all campers and leaders must be able to swim at least 100 metres,  (but note there is no water skiing, surfing or windsurfing). Relax in the evening with a bit of night fishing, cook up a feast on an open fire or listen to a guitar under the stars.

This isn't virtual reality. It's reality reality.