Yambuk Beach and Lake Walk
Yambuk Beach and Lake Walk is an easy coastal nature walk following the shore of Lake Yambuk towards its periodically opening entrance to the Southern Ocean.
The walk begins near the jetty, playground and Yambuk Giant Slide. A sandy track follows the lake edge through low coastal vegetation before reaching a small viewing platform.
At a track junction, walkers can follow the boardwalk and stairs to the elevated lookout. The viewing platform provides panoramic views over Lake Yambuk, the wetlands, the ocean, the beach and distant Deen Maar.
An optional extension follows the beach to the lake mouth. The condition and location of the entrance can change as sand accumulates or the estuary opens following heavy rain.
Lake Yambuk is part of an extensive wetland system associated with the Shaw and Eumeralla Rivers. The barrier estuary includes freshwater meadows, saline marshes, reed beds and saltmarsh vegetation.
The wetlands provide habitat for many birds and other animals, including Lewin's Rail, Latham's Snipe and the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Seals from the Deen Maar colony may occasionally be seen along the coast.
Distance: Approximately 1.91 km
Time: Approximately 30 minutes, excluding an extended beach walk
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Sandy tracks, boardwalk, stairs and optional beach walking
Start/Finish: Yambuk Lake recreation area
Facilities include:
- Small floating jetty
- Viewing platforms
- Seats
- Boardwalk
- Yambuk Giant Slide
- Playground
- Picnic facilities
- Public toilets
- Drinking water
- Parking
- Adjoining caravan park
How to get There:
Continue along Carrolls Road through the Yambuk Lake Caravan Park to the end of the road.
Help a Hooded Plover
■ They are threatened with extinction ... only 600 remain in Victoria!
Hooded Plovers are small timid shorebirds that nest (August to February) on beaches above high tide mark and into the dunes. Disturbance is their biggest threat. Parents will abandon eggs and chicks – leaving them vulnerable to predators and scavengers eg. Dogs, foxes and gulls.
You can help...
▼ Avoid the area between the high tide mark and the sand dunes (August to February).
▼ Where dogs are permitted, always restrain them on leads, especially during nesting time.
▼ Remove rubbish and food scraps – they attract foxes and other scavengers.
▼ Leave eggs/chicks where they are – move away quickly so the parents can return.
▼ Collect discarded fishing line and plastic – they’re a major threat to all wildlife.
▼ Where horses are permitted, ride only below the high tide mark – they can easily trample these small exposed eggs.
▼ Register sightings of nesting birds by calling 13 19 63.
Review:
There is a direct 120m long track through the dunes to Yambuk Beach from the southern end of the carpark. The more interesting walk which ends near the mouth of the Yambuk River starts from near the playground.
Towards the end of the trail, one 50m branch goes to the river mouth viewing area (from where we couldn't actually see the river mouth) and the other 50m branch leads down to the beach (about 120m from the mouth). There are nice views of the lake/river along the way.
Location
248 Carrolls Road, Yambuk 3285 View Map
Web Links
→ walkingmaps.com.au/walk/5840
