8 Great Lakes of the Wimmera Mallee to hit this Summer
With weather this beautiful, there’s nothing better than enjoying a dip and having some fun by the water. Better yet, you can make a spectacular summer holiday out of it. With shoreside camping, it’s as simple as rolling out of the caravan and dipping your toes straight in for a refreshing swim. With boat ramps, amenities and pontoons, it’s fun for all and makes for a trip you won’t forget. Dust off the boat and test your grip on the biscuit or show everyone how it’s done on the skis (or if you’re anything like us, it’s getting horizontal on the lilo, with a cold tinny, all the way). Don’t forget to pack the fishing rods to snag some dinner and even the yabby net for some blue claws!
Lake Hindmarsh
5km from Jeparit
Known as the largest freshwater lake in Victoria, Lake Hindmarsh is, more often than not, a dry lake bed. For this lake to fill, there must be sufficient overflow from the Wimmera River, which only occurs in exceptionally wet seasons like we’ve had this year.
At the time of writing, Lake Hindmarsh is half full and a breathtaking sight to see. Its sheer scale makes for an epic place to take the boat out or jump in the kayak. When dry, the lake is often a hub for native flora and fauna and serves as an integral part of the ecosystem. Camping is available at the lake and is not too far from the architecturally interesting town of Jeparit where you can have a pub meal and a chat to the locals to find out where to do next.
- Free camping sites
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Hot showers, toilets, camp kitchen and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, bird watching, canoeing, fishing and yabbying
Green Lake
12km from Sea Lake
Located just south of the Sea Lake is where you’ll find the serene Green Lake. Barbeques, picnic tables and shoreside camp sites make Green Lake a family getaway that will stick in the memory bank for decades to come. You can even bring along your four-legged family members too!
- Paid sites
- Powered sites available
- Hot showers, toilets, BBQ, laundry and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, bird watching, swimming and fishing
Lake Bringalbert
17km from Apsley
Located outside of Apsley, Lake Bringalbert is an off-grid heaven. The lush camping spot is an epic lake to send the boat in. After watching the golden sunset fall behind the tree line, fall peacefully to sleep to the sounds of native fauna and the wind through the trees.
- Free sites
- Unpowered sites
- Toilets, boat ramp and fire pits
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, swimming and fishing
Lake Charlegrark
26km from Goroke
Lake Charlegrark is a popular place amongst locals and visitors alike, with crowds flocking to the lake over summer for swimming, boating, and canoeing. Fishing on the lake is also a major drawcard, with Murray Cod and Redfin released regularly. Lake Charlegrark is also home to the annual Lake Charlegrark Country Music Marathon, which sees headliners like Kasey Chambers hit the stage for a weekend of music and mates. The excellent facilities make for a perfect place for a family holiday or a get together with friends.
- Paid sites
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Hot showers, toilets, laundry and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, fishing, kayaking and yabbying
Lake Lascelles
On the edge of Hopetoun
Located on the edge of Hopetoun, Lake Lascelles is the perfect destination for camping, fishing, swimming, boating and lilo floating! There’s even a dedicated fishing lake adjacent with a variety of species for you to pluck up for dinner.
If you want to level up from camping, how about sleeping in a silo? Mallee Bush Retreat offers one-of-a-kind accommodation options for singles, couples, and families, situated right on the waterfront.
- Free unpowered sites, paid power sites
- Powered and unpowered available
- Hot showers, toilets, BBQ and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, fishing, walking and swimming
Rainbow Lake
2km from Rainbow
The newest addition to the vast Wimmera Mallee lake network is Rainbow Lake. Located a few kilometres out of the town of Rainbow, this bite-sized lake is a great location for swimming and fishing. Its intimate size helps you to keep an eye on the kids whilst getting your own relaxation in. Complete with pontoon, this spot is proving to be a hit amongst the locals and is for sure one to check out.
- Free camping sites
- Unpowered sites
- Toilets, BBQ, picnic area, and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for swimming, fishing and walking
Tchum Lake
8km from Birchip
This tree-lined, picturesque lake is an aquamarine gem. This sparkling swimming spot is a surprising teal blue colour that resembles more of a Bahamas beach resort than a lake in the middle of Victoria’s Desert Country. It’s a total treat!
- Paid camping sites
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Hot showers, toilets, laundry, BBQ and boat ramp
- Pets allowed in public areas – not in the camping area
- Great for boating, skiing, swimming, walking and fishing
Wooroonook Lake
14km from Charlton
The perimeter of this sparkling lake is beautifully grassed with trees for cover where you can bring the caravan or tent and set up camp at along the shores of the lake. Whether you’re looking for a quick dip or a camping get-away, Wooroonook Lake is a great option.
- Paid camping sites
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Hot showers, toilets, pontoon, BBQ and boat ramp
- Pets allowed
- Great for boating, skiing, fishing, walking and swimming
Always be safe around water, never leave children unattended. Wear life jackets and use inflatables on the little ones who are still learning to kick. Read the signage about boat directions to make sure you are heading the right direction (some lakes require skiing the other way, just to shake it up a bit!). Always adhere to the marine vehicle safety regulations. Never light fires on fire ban days and always extinguish any fires before you leave. Most importantly, have the best time ever!
