Lake Wendouree Ballarat: Walking, Rowing and the Olympic Heritage

Lake Wendouree is a large artificial lake sitting immediately west of the Ballarat CBD, surrounded by the Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park and residential streets. The lake was the rowing venue for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, and the boatshed heritage is still visible on its shores. A flat 6-kilometre circumference walking and cycling path circles the lake and is popular for morning exercise. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the lake's eastern edge are free to enter and include an impressive collection of mature trees, a conservatory and statues of former Australian prime ministers. Rowing and kayaking clubs operate on the lake, and casual hire of small craft is available through some operators seasonally.