Best of Ballarat
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.
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1
Lake Wendouree Circuit Walk
A 6km flat walking and cycling path around the lake, passing the rowing club, the botanical gardens and the 1956 Olympic boathouse.
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Ballarat Botanical Gardens (Lakeside)
The formal garden on the western shore of Lake Wendouree includes a begonia conservatory, a statuary collection and shaded picnic areas.
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3
1956 Olympic Rowing Venue
The lake hosted the rowing events at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, a heritage marker at the southern end of the lake commemorates the event.
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4
Lake View Hotel
A beautifully restored hotel on the lake's eastern foreshore, ideal for lunch with a view of the water and the Botanical Gardens opposite.
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Waterbird Sanctuary
The eastern foreshore of Lake Wendouree is a declared waterbird sanctuary, with black swans, pelicans, purple swamphens and spoonbills visible year-round.
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