Terang Dry Lake Walk
The Terang Dry Lake Walk is a scenic 4.5 km circuit around the edge of the former Lake Terang, offering a unique opportunity to explore one of western Victoria's fascinating volcanic lakes. Although now dry, the lake has undergone dramatic changes over thousands of years, alternating between deep water, grassland and forest before eventually being drained in the 1960s. Today the former lake bed is home to sporting facilities, open parkland and a popular walking trail.
Constructed by the Lions Club of Terang during the 1990s, the gravel walking track winds around the perimeter of the old lake basin beneath mature trees and through open grassland. Along the way you'll pass 12 bluestone interpretation markers explaining the geological history of the volcanic lake, Aboriginal heritage, European settlement and the development of Terang.
The walk provides constantly changing views across the expansive former lake bed, now occupied by the Terang Golf Club, bowls club, croquet club, swimming pool, pony club and sporting reserves. Native birds are frequently seen around the remnant wetlands and tree-lined sections, making the trail enjoyable for both walkers and birdwatchers.
The path is mostly flat with a compact gravel surface, although there is one steeper section descending from the town near the western side of the circuit. Most walkers complete the loop in around one hour, while runners often use it as a pleasant exercise circuit.
Starting point: High Street near the Library and Civic Centre, Terang VIC 3264 (track entrance opposite the former Lake Terang)
At a glance
Distance: 4.5 km circuit
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Grade: Easy
Trail type: Circuit
Surface: Gravel
Dogs: Permitted on a leash
Pram friendly: Generally yes, although the gravel surface and one steeper section may make it difficult for some prams.
Wheelchair accessible: No
Terang Dry Lake Walk Map
Walk Markers
1. TERANG PUBLIC PARK
Terang Public Park was established in 1970, on and around what is now the dry bed of Lake Terang. This natural basin has been alternatively wet and dry over tens of thousands of years, with the pollen record showing grasslands variously succeeded by woodlands and dense eucalypt forest, marked by layers of charcoal. The lake's peat base is up to four metres deep overlying its volcanic floor. In 1805 the lake was dry. When the first town settlers arrived in 1840 it held 40 feet of water, approximately 12 metres, surrounded by thick tea-tree. In 1905 the lake was dry again and on fire. Between 1905 and 1933 it held varying levels of water but in 1933 it was again dry and on fire. Because of the unpredictable water level and the porous peat base, the lake was drained and is now pumped dry in wet seasons.
2. CROQUET CLUB
Croquet was first played in Terang on a private croquet green in Thompson Street – next to the Anglican Church. In July 1932, sufficient money was raised to lay two croquet lawns on their present site next to the bowling greens. In 1996 the old Gnotuk classroom was moved to Terang to become the Croquet Club House.
3. CRICKET CLUB
Before the establishment of the current turf wicket, cricket was played principally at the Terang Recreation Reserve and before that at the "Bradman Oval" – located on the current Pony Club reserve. The turf wicket ground was started in 2001 and officially opened on the 10 November 2001, when the first game was played between old rivals Terang and Noorat.
4. BLUESTONE STEPS
These bluestone steps were built circa 1890. They were constructed to enable easy access to the lake, which was approximately twelve metres at its deepest point at that time.
A boathouse was built at the base of these steps. This was later used by a fisherman called 'Hoppy' Jones who opened a paddle boat company on the lake. By 1930 the lake was completely dry.
5. BONIYAROOK GOPHER TRACK
Completed in 2009 this concrete path links the May Noonan Hostel for the Aged with the Terang Central Business District. It was a joint service club volunteer project of the Terang and District Lions Club and the Terang Rotary Club.
It has been officially named ‘Boniyarook’ which was inspired by its Aboriginal derivation – it means ‘part of the bank of Lake Terang’.
6. EMU CREEK PONY CLUB
The Emu Creek Pony Club was established in 1958 as a breakaway group from the Western District Pony Club – the latter being the first Pony Club established in Western Victoria. The club moved to its present site on the Terang dry lake bed in 2001. The club is active over the summer months running gymkhanas, show jumping, dressage competitions and monthly rallies.
7. THE ORIGINAL ST THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The foundation stone for Terang’s first Catholic Church was laid in 1900. The bluestone used was quarried from “The Ridge” at Garvoc and dressed by the Eldridge family.
The church was blessed and opened on 15 December 1901. It was built at a cost of 5000 pounds. The Presbytery was built in 1911.
8. LAKE TERANG
This was the traditional land of the Kuurn Kopan Noot people, who fished the lake and lived on the abundant birdlife and animals attracted to the lake shore. The word ‘Terang’ is an Aboriginal word said to mean ‘twig with leaves’.
The pollen record shows that Lake Terang has been alternatively wet and dry over thousands of years.
9. TERANG CEMETERY AND POLICE PADDOCK
The Cemetery was established in 1866 and covers twelve acres. One of the early unmarked graves is the burial place of Aboriginal leader ‘King Teraek’. The original police paddock was located between the lake and the Cemetery and covered six acres.
Since most early police work was done on horseback, a paddock was reserved up until the early 1900s.
10. THE CHINAMAN’S HUT
A hut was built on the shore of the lake by a Chinese gardener employed by the Staunton family who built their family homestead ‘Keeyang’ in 1844. In addition to maintaining the vegetable garden the gardener also fished from his hut, providing the family table with fresh fish.
11. TERANG GOLF CLUB
The picturesque site of the golf course was established in 1938 and featured nine holes. A decision to drain the lake allowed four new holes to be added in 1972. A further two holes were added in 1983 and three more in 1988, bringing the course to its current 18 hole status.
12. TERANG BOWLING CLUB
A public meeting on 12 April 1911 decided to form a Bowling Club which was officially opened on 7 December 1911 with a five rink green. The first clubhouse was built in 1921 and this was expanded in 1952 (along with a second seven rink green) to accommodate bowls, croquet and golf.
In May 2011 the Mens and Ladies sections of the Bowling Club amalgamated and the club celebrated its centenary.
Location
135 High Street, Terang 3264 View Map
Web Links
→ Terang Dry Lake Walk Brochure (PDF)
