BAIRNSDALE

town, southeastern Victoria, Australia. It lies at the mouth of the Mitchell River on Lake King, a lagoon. Its development dates from the late 19th century, when the town served initially as a port for the east Gippsland goldfields; ship services have now been replaced by rail and road transport. It is situated at the intersection of the Prince's and Omeo highways and is connected to Melbourne (171 miles west) by rail. Bairnsdale is a marketing centre for an area supporting cattle, sheep, fisheries, fruit, and timber and has factories producing butter, cordials, leather, clothing, and sawn lumber. There is also a thriving tourist trade based on the nearby Gippsland Lakes and the Ninety Mile Beach. Pop. (1989 est.) 10,690.