Lake Wendouree Fairyland

Lake Wendouree Fairyland

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Posted 2015-09-21 by 2Kids Explorerfollow


Lake Wendouree is an artificially-created and maintained shallow urban lake located in the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. It is situated in the centre of Ballarat and offers a wide range of attractions and recreational activities such as Ballarat Botanical Gardens , Steve Moneghetti walking and running track, cycling trails, bird watching, rainbow trout fishing, aquatic recreational activities and adventure playground. Drinking fountains, picnic tables and BBQ facilities are available around the lake.

Fairyland is Precinct 6 of Ballarat's Lake Wendouree. It begins at the bluestone pillars near St Aidan's Drive and extends to the Swan Pool near Lake Pavilion.



It is one of the most picturesque botanical gardens I have thus far visited in Victoria. It lost it's beauty in 2006 due to drought. For several years it was mostly dry and there were no flowers in the Gardens. This reduced the appeal of the Gardens Reserve and reduced visitor numbers. From 2009 storm water and recycled water was used to maintain the water levels in the lake. Increased rain during 2010 saw the lake full again for the first time in several years, and the Gardens became attractive to visitors again.

The heritage trams which have been carrying passengers since 1887 still operate today on a 1.3 kilometre section of track in the Gardens Reserve.

The Gardens have retained their 19th century feel with mature trees and statues although a large children's playground and the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial have been added into the reserve in recent years. In September 2010 the Gardens were added to the Victorian Heritage Register.





Bird Watching
The reed beds and islands provide sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. The most commonly seen waterbirds are black swans, Pacific black ducks, dusky moorhens, purple swamphens, little pied cormorants, Eurasian coots, musk ducks, great crested grebes and silver gulls. For more details about species and habitats, refer to the Information boards at the Fairyland Wetland Walk.

Recycling Water
The wetlands in the North Gardens Reserve capture one quarter of all storm water inflows to Lake Wendouree. Water is processed through an underground gross pollutant trap then flows through a series of marshes where the reeds and rushes absorb fine solids and nutrients before discharging the improved water into the Fairyland water channels.

Steve Moneghetti Track
The 6km track, named after Australian four time Olympian long-distance runner, can be done in parts, start and finish most places along the track. Along the walk, you can see Ballarat Botanical Gardens, wetland birds, boat houses, 26 statute busts of Australian Prime Ministers and historic monuments.



Boat Hire
Lukeys Boat Hire operates throughout the year weekends and public holidays from 11am to 4pm on clear day . For non peak season, operating hours vary (general guide around 12pm to 3pm on clear day).

  • Paddleboats - $10 for 20mins
  • Canoes - $10 for 20mins
  • Traditional Clinker Row Boats - $20 for 30mins
  • Bubble Roller - $5 per person for 5 min
  • Bubble Balls - $10 per person for 10 min

  • After enjoying all the activities, sit back and enjoy the beautiful sunset on Lake Wendouree.



    #victoria
    #playgrounds
    #picnic_spots
    #nature
    #natural_attractions
    #lakes
    #boating
    %wnmelbourne
    107286 - 2023-06-12 12:58:34

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