Red Rock Lakes and Volcanic Craters Driving Circuit
The Red Rock Lakes and Volcanic Craters Circuit is a self-guided driving route through the volcanic plains north of Colac. The circuit visits Cororooke, Lake Corangamite, the Red Rock volcanic complex, Alvie, Beeac and the northern shore of Lake Colac.
The landscape includes volcanic cones, water-filled craters, salt lakes, historic stone walls, fertile farmland and small rural settlements. The circuit travels through Gulidjan Country, where First Nations people have maintained enduring cultural connections with the lakes, plains and volcanic features.
Distance: Approximately 65-70 km circuit
Driving time: Approximately 1.5 hours without stops
Suggested time: Allow half a day; longer if visiting galleries, completing walks or booking a Coragulac House tour
Start and finish: Colac
Road conditions: Mostly sealed rural roads with some gravel parking areas and unsealed walking paths
Cost: The driving circuit and public lookouts are free. Admission charges apply to booked tours and special events.
Location: Colac
Red Rock Lakes and Volcanic Craters Driving Circuit Map
Highlights
Highlights include:
- Panoramic views across volcanic craters, Lake Corangamite, Lake Colac and the surrounding plains
- Two viewing areas at Red Rock Scenic Reserve
- Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve and its internationally significant wetland habitat
- Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery in a converted Cororooke church
- Historic Coragulac House
- Dry-stone walls built from volcanic rock
- Beeac Heritage Windmill Park
- Picnic, fishing and boating facilities at Meredith Park
Route and Stops
1. Colac and the Volcanic Plains
Begin near Lake Colac and travel north along Corangamite Lake Road. The route crosses low-lying plains shaped by ancient lakes, lava flows and volcanic activity.
2. Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery
The Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery is located at 520 Corangamite Lake Road, Cororooke 3254. The community-run arts centre occupies a converted church and includes the Carolyn Theatre, gallery, film society and Stage Bistro.
Performances, exhibitions and opening times vary. Check the linked listing before making a special journey.
3. Corunnun Homestead
The historic Corunnun Homestead dates from the early 1840s and overlooks Lake Corangamite. The original brochure suggests viewing its distinctive red stables from Lineens Road.
The homestead is private property and is not a visitor attraction. Remain on the public road, do not enter driveways or farm tracks and do not obstruct traffic when stopping to view the property.
4. Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve
Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve provides access to Australia’s largest permanent saltwater lake, which forms part of the Western District Lakes Ramsar wetland system. It supports resident and migratory waterbirds and provides potential foraging habitat for the endangered Corangamite Water Skink.
The approximately five-hectare foreshore reserve has gravel parking, interpretive signs, seating and an unpaved walking path. Other visitor facilities are minimal.
Address: Lake Corangamite Foreshore Reserve, Alvie 3249
5. Red Rock Scenic Lookouts
The Red Rock Scenic Lookouts overlook a complex volcanic landscape containing maar craters, cones and lava formations. Around 40 separate eruption points have been identified, with the youngest volcanic features dating from approximately 8,000 years ago.
There are two lookout areas. A small viewing platform near the car park provides a view without climbing the main stairway, while the higher western lookout is reached by approximately 63 steps. Views extend across Lake Corangamite, Lake Colac, numerous crater lakes and the surrounding farming country.
A picnic area approximately 500 metres before the lookout has toilets, sheltered picnic tables, barbecues and a playground.
Address: Red Rock Reserve Road, Alvie 3249
6. Coragulac House
Coragulac House is an extensive nineteenth-century homestead at 895 Corangamite Lake Road, Coragulac 3249. Its official history dates construction of the homestead to 1872.
The property remains privately owned. Entry is available only during advertised open days, booked Devonshire teas, accommodation stays or pre-arranged group tours. Do not enter without a booking.
7. Volcanic Stone Walls
Stone walls constructed from locally collected volcanic rock remain a distinctive feature of the district. Early farmers cleared the rock from paddocks and used it to form boundaries and barriers for livestock.
Examples can be seen from public roads around Warrion Hill, particularly along Melrose Road and Duckholes Road. The surrounding depressions may become seasonal wetlands during wet periods. View the walls from public roads and only stop where the vehicle can be parked completely and safely away from traffic.
8. Beeac Heritage Windmill Park
Beeac Heritage Windmill Park at 78A Main Street, Beeac 3251 contains a collection of restored windmills and interpretive displays about the machines’ importance to farming and water supply.
Seats are provided within the park, with public toilets next door. Beeac also has heritage buildings, historical markers, a playground and places to obtain food and refreshments.
9. Meredith Park
Meredith Park occupies approximately six hectares of foreshore on the northern side of Lake Colac.
Facilities include public toilets, picnic areas, fireplaces and a boat ramp. Camping is permitted within the designated campground. An online council permit is required for stays longer than 24 hours, with a maximum stay of 14 days. Lake access and the usability of the boat ramp depend on water levels.
Address: 175 Meredith Park Road, Ondit 3249
Directions
From Colac, follow Corangamite Lake Road north to Cororooke. Continue towards Lineens Road and the eastern shore of Lake Corangamite before travelling to Coragulac and Red Rock Reserve Road.
After visiting Red Rock, continue through the Alvie and Warrion district, using Melrose Road to view examples of volcanic stone walls. Continue to Beeac, then travel south on Colac-Ballarat Road. Turn onto Meredith Park Road for the final lakeside stop before returning to Colac.
The original brochure map is schematic rather than a detailed navigation map. Set the public stops as individual destinations and remain on named public roads. Navigation applications may otherwise suggest private farm tracks.
Facilities
Facilities along the circuit include:
- Toilets, sheltered picnic tables, barbecues and a playground near Red Rock Scenic Lookouts
- Seating and interpretive signs at Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve
- Public toilets beside Beeac Heritage Windmill Park
- Food and refreshments in Colac, Cororooke and Beeac
- Toilets, picnic areas, fireplaces and a boat ramp at Meredith Park
Parking
Parking is available at the principal public attractions, including Red Rock Scenic Lookouts, Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve, Beeac Heritage Windmill Park and Meredith Park.
There is no dedicated visitor parking for Corunnun Homestead or the roadside stone walls. Do not stop on narrow traffic lanes, block gateways or enter private land.
Accessibility
The circuit is principally experienced by car. Red Rock has views from car-park level, but its higher western lookout requires climbing approximately 63 steps. Lake Corangamite Nature Reserve has gravel parking and an unsealed walking path. Accessibility at the other stops varies.
Important Information
Much of the land surrounding Red Rock, the crater lakes, historic homesteads and stone walls is privately owned. Remain within public reserves, designated lookout areas and public roads.
Check road conditions, attraction opening times, fire restrictions and emergency warnings before travelling. Take particular care on narrow rural roads used by farm machinery and livestock vehicles. Take particular care on narrow rural roads used by farm machinery and livestock vehicles.
