BBQ
Lake Burrumbeet Park
- Distance from Ballarat: 19 minutes
- Location: Burrumbeet
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, boating, walking, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, boat ramp, waking track, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
St Georges Lake
- Distance from Ballarat: 21 minutes
- Location: Creswick
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, walking, scenic lookout, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, waking track, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
St Georges Lake is a local favourite for swimming, walking and photography. Once a mining dam known as "Govvy Dam", the lake has been developed into a picturesque haven for relaxation and recreation.
Calembeen Park
- Distance from Ballarat: 21 minutes
- Location: Creswick
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, walking, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, waking track, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
With its gorgeous twin lakes, sweeping displays of waterlilies, abundant bird life and plenty of fish, Creswick's Calembeen Park is a fantastic spot for a swim near Ballarat.
Lake Burrumbeet Foreshore Camping Area
- Distance from Ballarat: 24 minutes
- Location: Burrumbeet
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, boating, camping, walking, picnics
- Facilities: Boat ramp, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
Pitch a tent along the shore of the beautiful Lake Burrumbeet, just twenty minutes from Ballarat, and settle in for a weekend of swimming, fishing or boating! Free camping is permitted along the lake's foreshore, and long drop toilets are available for visitor use. You'll find plenty of shady spots beneath the large trees to set up your camp chair and relax, while keeping an eye out for the Lake's many resident pelicans.
Pykes Creek Reservoir
- Distance from Ballarat: 34 minutes
- Location: Myrniong
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, boating, walking, picnics, playground for kids
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecues, undercover areas, fenced playground, boat ramp, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
Pykes Creek Reservoir is a popular spot for fishing, boating, swimming and picnics just half an hour from Ballarat, where multiple recreation areas are spread along the eastern shore of the reservoir.
Hunts Bridge Camping Area
- Distance from Ballarat: 34 minutes
- Location: Morrisons
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, camping, walking, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, lots of room for camping
- Dogs allowed: Yes
A local favourite for swimming and picnics, the Hunts Bridge Camping Area is sprawled along the bank of the gorgeous Moorabool River in Morrisons, half an hour from Ballarat. The river is typically shallow and makes a great spot to cool off during summer and to bring the kids for a splash.
Happy Valley Crossing Streamside Reserve
- Distance from Ballarat: 34 minutes
- Location: Happy Valley
- Activities: Swimming, walking, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues
- Dogs allowed: Yes
This scenic reserve is a great spot for a picnic and swim, located just half an hour from Ballarat. The water runs over a stony creek bed providing plenty of shallow areas for kids to have a splash, as well as some deeper parts for a swim. Picnic tables and wood fire barbecues sit in a clearing alongside the creek, overlooked by a beautiful rocky hillside on the far side of the water. There's plenty of shade over both the picnic area and the water, making this a fantastic place to escape the heat during summer.
Beaufort Lake
- Distance from Ballarat: 35 minutes
- Location: Beaufort
- Activities: Swimming, boating, picnics, walking
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, boat ramp, walking track, toilets
- Dogs allowed: To be confirmed
Beaufort Lake is a fantastic reservoir for swimming, boating, walking and picnics. Bring a barbecue lunch and take a scenic walk around Beaufort Lake, enjoying the informative Koori Art Trail along the way.
Rokewood Lagoon
- Distance from Ballarat: 36 minutes
- Location: Rokewood
- Activities: Swimming, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, electric barbecue, undercover area, toilets
- Dogs allowed: No
- Note: Small entry fee, pay at general store, season pass available
Pack a picnic or barbecue lunch and spend an afternoon at the Rokewood Lagoon, a gorgeous swimming hole run by community volunteers just half an hour from Ballarat. The picturesque lagoon is surrounded by picnic facilities, gardens and bench seating. This is a great spot for all ages and swimming abilities! A shallow beach area makes a great spot for young children to have a splash, while the deeper areas are great for swimming and floating on pool inflatables.
Jubilee Lake
- Distance from Ballarat: 43 minutes
- Location: Daylesford
- Activities: Swimming, picnics, walking, mineral spring, camping, accommodation, canoeing and paddleboating
- Facilities: Picnic tables, undercover barbecues, walking track, playground, sports oval, mineral spring tap, paddleboat hire, kiosk, camping and cabin accommodation at adjacent holiday park
- Dogs allowed: Yes
Jubilee Lake in Daylesford, Victoria is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, birdwatching, bushwalking, and picnicking. The lake features excellent barbecue facilities, a playground, picnic tables, walking track, mineral spring tap, kiosk, cafe and toilets. Canoes and paddleboats are available to hire from the kiosk.
Colbrook Reservoir
- Distance from Ballarat: 44 minutes
- Location: Colbrook
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, camping, bushwalking, view seasonal waterfall over the dam wall
- Facilities: None
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Note: Four wheel drive vehicle required to get to Colbrook Reservoir
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Victorian Goldfields, Colbrook Reservoir is an amazing place for bushwalking, swimming, bush camping, and photography. Featuring a stunning dam wall complete with seasonal waterfall, this place is a must-see when exploring the beauty of the Wombat State Forest. There are a couple of great clearings for camping, swimming and fishing around the reservoir over on the opposite side to the dam wall.
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