Emerald Lake Park (Emerald)

Emerald Lake Park is a park for all seasons and a delightful destination for absolutely everyone.

With two beautiful lakes, Lake Treganowan and Nobelious, and 50 hectares of rolling parklands, Emerald Lake Park offers discovery, enjoyment and relaxation.

With free entry and a small parking fee you can relax by the picturesque lakes, picnic in the glorious parklands or participate in a wonderful choice of activities.

Take a stroll, or a more challenging bushwalk, along the well-developed 15km of walking tracks and take in the tranquillity and natural beauty of the park.

Back at the lake, there's plenty of trout fishing, or you might prefer a leisurely paddleboat ride.

The kids will love the playgrounds and everyone will enjoy the largest model railway display in the southern hemisphere.

For lunch, cook your own meal on the park's free electric barbeques or you might prefer one of the delicious meals from the cafe.

If you're planning a birthday party, group function or even a wedding, why not hire one of the picnic shelters or amphitheatres scattered throughout the park?

There is much more to discover at Emerald Lake Park including its colourful history as well as the ever changing seasons of the park.

Keep an eye on what's on to find out about upcoming activities and events.

But most of all enjoy yourselves among nature's best.

Activities include:

Model Railway

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Emerald Lake Model Railway (Emerald)

Paddleboats

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Lakeside Paddleboats (Emerald)

Fishing

Fishing at Emerald Lake Park is a popular activity for all ages. Whether you're an avid fisher looking for a peaceful and relaxing location or if you're a first time fisher. Lake Treganowan is regularly restocked and offers an experience for all levels.

Why not make it a day experience and bring a picnic and cook your catch on the free barbeques. Don't despair if you don't catch something the cafe has plenty on offer.

The lake is stocked twice a year through Department of Primary Industries Therefore, there are always fish to be caught.

Please note Victorian Recreational Fishing Licences apply.

Note:
To prevent injuries to bird life, please dispose of all fishing line or tackle appropriately.
There is a 5 a day catch limit.
There is no size limit, however please promptly return any unwanted fish to the lake.
Bait must be brought with you as digging is not allowed.

Walking

Emerald Lake Park has approximately 15km of formed pathways ranging from easy walking routes around the perimeter of the two lakes to longer bush tracks linking the park with Emerald Town Centre (via the Nobelius Heritage Nursery) and with Cockatoo Township, through the adjacent Wright's forest.

Emerald Lake Park Walk

This network of pathways offer beautiful walking trails of varying degrees and experiences for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Emerald Lake Park Walks Map

Walks include:
Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail (part) (dark brown line on map)
This shared trail links Emerald to Cockatoo and Gembrook via Emerald Lake Park and Wrights Forest (full trail is 13km). The Emerald Lake Precinct section takes you from Nobelius Heritage Park to the recreation activities around Lake Treganowan. The trail is lined with ferns and a mix of exotic and native flora. Suitable for walkers and cyclists.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Distance: 1km (Emerald Lake Precinct section)
Time: 20 minutes

Lake Nobelius Loop Track (orange line on map)
Starts and finishes by the cafe in Emerald Lake Park. Head south from the cafe to reach Lake Nobelius; constructed as a sediment trap for stormwater entering the park from urban areas (to the east) and the natural spring (from the south). Boardwalks allow you to view abundant animal life. This track features towering native black woods (Acacia melanoxylon) and a stand of impressive manna gums (Eucalyptus viminalis) near the Gums Amphitheatre.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.2km (loop)
Time: 15 minutes

Pine Track (lime green line on map)
A well-formed track dominated at one end by mature pine trees (Pinus radiata), hence the name. The track connects Link Track on the Nobelius Heritage Park boundary with playground and fitness equipment in Emerald Lake Park.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Distance: 1km
Time: 15 minutes

Wishing Well Track (light purple line on map)
The park's most popular track meanders through a stand of chestnut trees, into an ancient forest gully with very tall European trees towering over the native rainforest. Look out for lyrebirds that spend time foraging under the tree ferns and be sure to make a wish at the wishing well when you reach the end.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Distance: 0.7km
Time: 10 minutes

Nobelius Track (light brown line on map)
Following the Puffing Billy Railway line from the lakeside activities to the packing shed, this track showcases pine, chestnut and oak trees and a mix of indigenous flora. The track passes the old Nobelius station and is part of the annual Puffing Billy Running Festival.

Difficulty: Moderate (one steep section)
Distance: 1.4km
Time: 20 minutes

Link Track (dark green line on map)
A short steep track connecting the Wishing Well Track to difficult Nobelius Heritage Park. Look for the large tulip trees at the end of the track. This track can be slippery in wet weather.

Difficulty: Moderate-difficult
Distance: 0.7km
Time: 5 minutes

Fern Gully Track (dark purple line on map)
A perfect walk on a hot day, this shaded trail follows Wattle Creek that flows from Nobelius Heritage Park through to Lakeside car park. Head through the gully filled with native and exotic flora to a small field of tree ferns. This track is narrow, steep in parts and can be slippery after rain.

Difficulty: Difficult (steep in sections)
Distance: 0.7km
Time: 15 minutes

Virtual Ranger Trail
Ten posts located along the walking tracks provide audio information about natural and historical features of the park. Download a QR code reader to your phone or digital device and then scan the code on each audio post to access the audio for each part of the trail (see map above for audio post locations).

1. A walk in the park - lose yourself in nature, awaken your senses.
2. Towering tree ferns - wander through an avenue of ancient tree ferns and discover the vast array of organisms inhabiting this forest.
3. An Emerald Lake Park ecosystem - connect with your environment and truly appreciate the cycle of life.
4. Step back in time - learn about the park's historical significance, previously the largest nursery in the Southern Hemisphere exporting trees all over the world.
5. Throw a little wish into the well - stroll the path with nursery man Carl Nobelius.
6. Who's in the park after dark - discover the park's nightlife of tiny mammals and big-eyed predators.
Turning a new leaf - restoring the balance of indigenous flora to create habitat for our local fauna.
8. Life around Lake Nobelius - explore the rich tapestry of life at the water's edge.
9. Of blackwoods and birds - pause a while and meet some locals.
10. A place of life and leisure - lasting memories have long been planted here.

Wading Pool

Emerald Lake Park Wading Pool is a free pool open to the public during Summer at designated times.
Wading Pool Opening Times

Located on the edge of Lake Treganowan, the pool has scenic views across the lake and is near the Lakeside and Poolside picnic shelters

Picnic

There are many magnificent picnic spots within Emerald Lake Park for you to enjoy the serenity of the surrounds.

There are free electric barbeques in promenant positions within the park as well as numerous picnic tables for you to utilise and enjoy a picnic you've prepared or a purchase from the cafe.

Picnic Shelters are available for hire as well.

Opening Hours:

Park Opening Times

Cost:

Entry to the park and its pool (when it is open) is free. There is a cost for car parking, and for the paddle boats and model railway.
Car Parking Fees

Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines located in each car park and must be displayed at all times. Penalties apply for not complying with parking rules.

Ticket Machines accept 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins. Exact money is required as no change is given.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted on leash.

Review:

Nice mixture of activities are available on and around the lake and being located next to the Emerald Puffing Billy station is a major plus point. If you time your visit well it is possible to see multiple trains in a short time. For example, when we visited there was a 12:15 train to Gembrook and a 12:30 train to Belgrave. Having to pay for parking peeves me slightly but the cost isn't too high.

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