Lake Wendouree

Take a walk or ride around the lake, stop by the water for a coffee, watch rowers out on the course or simply find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the view. With the Ballarat Botanical Gardens right beside it and plenty of places to eat, Lake Wendouree is an easy place to spend anything from an hour to half a day.

What you’ll experience

• Walk, run or cycle the 6km Steve Moneghetti Track around the lake
• Spot local birdlife including coots, cormorants and black swans
• Watch rowing and sailing on the lake
• Visit one of the nearby playgrounds
• Enjoy a picnic or use the BBQ facilities
• Stop for coffee, breakfast or lunch at one of the cafés and restaurants
• Explore the Ballarat Botanical Gardens next door
• See historic features including boathouses, monuments and the rowing course used during the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games

Best Time to Visit:

• Open year-round
• Spring and summer are great for picnics, playgrounds and outdoor dining

Suitable For:

• Families
• Couples
• Walkers and runners
• Cyclists
• Birdwatchers
• Visitors looking for a relaxed outdoor activity
• Anyone wanting to combine nature, food and sightseeing

Accessibility:

• The Steve Moneghetti Track is a flat gravel path
• The lake precinct actively welcomes people with access needs
• Seating, drinking fountains, playgrounds and public toilets are available around the lake

Time Needed:

Allow around 1 hour to walk the full 6km loop at a steady pace, or 2–3 hours if you’d like to stop for coffee, visit a playground or combine your walk with the Botanical Gardens.

Insider Tip:

For a photo stop, look out for the timber jetty near the corner of Wendouree Parade and Macarthur Street — it’s one of the lake’s most recognisable viewpoints.