Reservoirs to Visit in Regional Victoria
Victoria's regional reservoirs offer some wonderful places to escape into nature, with picturesque lakes, forested surroundings, historic dam walls and spectacular views. Many have walking trails, picnic areas, BBQ facilities and opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating and kayaking. They are also excellent places for birdwatching and spotting native wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
Some reservoirs are popular recreational destinations with extensive visitor facilities, while others are peaceful, secluded locations surrounded by bushland. Historic reservoirs also provide a fascinating glimpse into Victoria's early water supply systems, with impressive engineering features, old stone structures and scenic spillways.
Things to know before visiting:
- Recreational activities vary considerably between reservoirs. Swimming, boating and fishing may be permitted at some locations but prohibited at others, particularly reservoirs used for drinking water.
- Dogs are permitted on a leash at some reservoirs but prohibited at others. Always check the conditions before visiting.
- Water levels and seasonal conditions can affect access, recreational activities and the appearance of waterfalls and spillways.
- Many reservoirs have limited facilities and no drinking water, so bring sufficient water, food and other essentials.
- Check current access conditions, particularly during periods of extreme fire danger, flooding or maintenance.
Cairn Curran Reservoir is located on the Loddon River, about 10 km west of Maldon. Cairn Curran Reservoir was constructed between 1947 and 1956. The storage has a primary spillway, ..
No. 7 Park, which has a reservoir, is a popular destination for cycling, walking, jogging and picnicking. The park has excellent historical elements from the days of gold mining an ..
Located on the banks of the Moorabool River and overlooking the reservoir, the Moorabool Reservoir Park provides a beautiful recreation area with BBQs and picnic facilities. The ..
There are a multitude of water sports available at Lake Buffalo including water skiing, wake boarding, towables, fishing all year round plus swimming, boating and canoeing during s ..
The gardens around Kirks Reservoir are a showcase of horticultural skill and sensitive design. Open all year, the park's diverse indigenous species, rustic stone walls and thoughtf ..
Inglewood Reservoir is a lovely place to enjoy walking, swimming, fishing, birdwatching or having a picnic. The reservoir is close to the Inglewood Botanical Gardens Reserve an ..
Kennington Reservoir is a popular place for bush walking, fishing and having a picnic. The reservoir has been called 'a fine sheet of water' and is known for it's wildlife, indigen ..
Constructed in 1903 and enlarged in 1917 this dam originally featured the only siphonic spillway in Victoria. The reservoir is surrounded by scenic farmland and is a domestic water ..
Laanecoorie Reservoir is located on the Loddon River, 40 km south-west of Bendigo. Laanecoorie Reservoir's function is to control flows in the Loddon River downstream of Cairn Curr ..
Lake Eildon National Park is in the northern foothills of Victoria's Central Highlands, 150 km north-east of Melbourne. Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the park protects 27, ..
Lake Eppalock is huge and is perfect for water based activities and family picnics. Constructed on the Campaspe River in the 1960s, this vast lake has always been popular for boati ..
Hume Dam is the main regulating water storage on the River Murray System and supplies irrigation water and hydro-electric power. It is immediately downstream of the confluence of ..
Lal Lal Reservoir / Bungal Dam has a picnic area with pit fire BBQs (BYO wood and fire starting materials). There is a viewing area and information board on the history of the buil ..
Goldfields Reservoir is a quiet lake on the fringe of Maryborough which has a nature based playground, BBQs (wood and electric), picnic tables and toilets. It is a popular place ..
Pykes Creek Reservoir is located west of Melbourne near Ballan. It is a popular destination for activities including picnics, swimming, boating, jet skiing, fishing, birdwatching a ..
Designed as a native park, Gong Gong offers a real 'back to nature' experience with bushwalking, scenic views and wonderful picnicking amid native bushland replete with wildlife. Y ..
Rocklands Reservoir, located on the Glenelg River, is GWMWater's largest reservoir. It was originally constructed to supply the now decommissioned Wimmera-Mallee Domestic and Stock ..
The reservoir offers some great recreation facilities including bush walks, free camping along the entire shore of the reservoir, swimming, fishing, boating with ramp and yabbying. ..
Toolondo Reservoir is located between the towns of Horsham and Hamilton and is renowned as an outstanding stocked recreational trout fishery but as a secondary water storage facili ..
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