Top 13 Lakes around Victoria

Lake Eildon, located in the Victorian High Country, is a hub for water sports. You can enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing, and cruising. It's also the only reservoir in Victoria where houseboats are permitted. Beyond the water, the surrounding national park offers bushwalking, mountain biking, and four-wheel driving. In winter, it provides access to snow sports at Mount Buller and Lake Mountain.

The Gippsland Lakes form Australia's largest inland waterway system, covering over 600 square kilometers. They are ideal for yachting and cruising, and offer diverse water sports like waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The area is a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot lake dolphins, pelicans, and a significant koala colony on Raymond Island. You can also explore walking tracks in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park and The Lakes National Park.

Yes, Lake Wendouree offers many family-friendly options. You can enjoy fishing, sailing, rowing, and paddle boating. The surrounding Ballarat Botanical Gardens are perfect for a stroll, and there are playgrounds, picnic spots, and barbecues available. Wildlife such as ducks and swans can also be observed. Scenic cruises on the paddle steamer 'The Golden City' are also popular.

Lake Daylesford is an ornamental lake known for its picturesque views, lush gardens, eucalyptus-lined paths, and seasonal wildflowers. It's a tranquil spot for local birdlife and offers a small sandy beach for swimming. A gentle, tree-lined path approximately 2.8 kilometers long encircles the lake, perfect for scenic walks.

Lake Nagambie is a popular destination for a variety of water-based activities due to its clear, calm, and shallow waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing (for species like Murray Cod and Golden Perch), sailing, rowing, kayaking, and water skiing. The lake regularly hosts rowing regattas and championships. You can also enjoy picnics on the grassy banks or stroll along the boardwalk.

Yes, Lake Nagambie is situated within the Nagambie Lakes wine region. You can enjoy river cruises on the Goulburn Explorer that connect the lake with nearby wineries like Mitchelton and Tahbilk, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions.

Absolutely. Many lakes in Victoria are surrounded by national parks and offer extensive bushwalking and hiking opportunities. For example, Lake Eildon is encompassed by the Lake Eildon National Park, which has hundreds of kilometers of tracks. The Gippsland Lakes also feature walking tracks in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park and The Lakes National Park.

The best time to visit Victoria's lakes largely depends on your preferred activities. Summer (December to February) is ideal for water sports and swimming. Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and exploring the natural beauty, with fewer crowds. Winter (June to August) can be great for accessing nearby snow sports from places like Lake Eildon, or enjoying the tranquility of the lakes.

Yes, Lake Wendouree in Ballarat is historically significant, having hosted rowing events for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The Gippsland Lakes are notable for the Mitchell River silt jetties, which are the largest in the world. Lake Daylesford was also created from a former gold mining site, reflecting the region's gold rush history.

Victoria's lakes are rich in wildlife. At the Gippsland Lakes, you have opportunities to spot lake dolphins, pelicans, and a significant koala colony on Raymond Island. Lake Wendouree is home to ducks, swans, and ibises. Lake Daylesford is a haven for local birdlife, and the national parks surrounding Lake Eildon offer chances to see various native animals.

Many of Victoria's lake regions offer various accommodation options. Lake Eildon is unique for allowing houseboats, providing a distinctive stay. Towns surrounding the Gippsland Lakes, Lake Daylesford, Lake Nagambie, and Lake Wendouree (Ballarat) all provide a range of choices from hotels and motels to holiday parks and guesthouses, often with cafes and pubs nearby.

Fishing is a very popular activity across many of Victoria's lakes. The Gippsland Lakes are renowned for catches like bream, flathead, and luderick. Lake Nagambie is known for species such as Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Trout. Lake Eildon also offers excellent fishing opportunities.

For easy walks, Lake Daylesford has a gentle, sloping, tree-lined path around its perimeter, approximately 2.8 kilometers long. Lake Wendouree features a 6-kilometer walking and cycling track encircling it, suitable for all ages. Many of the national parks surrounding the larger lakes also offer shorter, less strenuous trails.