Lake Eildon National Park
Lake Eildon National Park is in the northern foothills of Victoria's Central Highlands, 150 km north-east of Melbourne. Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the park protects 27,750 ha of rugged hills with open woodlands through to dense forest.
Lake Eildon National Park offers a variety of settings to explore, from open bush in the north, to dense vegetation in the south and east. Visitors can enjoy bushwalking, boating and fishing or try the more adventurous pursuits of waterskiing and mountain bike riding. Relax in a scenic environment and experience native wildlife.
The park is a leisurely and picturesque two hour drive north-east from Melbourne. The Fraser camping area is located 17km east of Alexandra and the Jerusalem Creek camping area is 10km from the Eildon Township.
Things to do
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to explore the park and opportunities abound for all ages, interests and fitness levels. Enjoy a gentle lakeside walk between the camping areas or take a longer hike and explore some of the more remote and scenic areas of the park. Most long walks are of moderate to steep grade. They incorporate a variety of forest types and include remains from the gold mining era. Estimated times do not include breaks.
Candlebark (2km) and Perfect Cure Creek (1.5km) Nature Walks
These short, self-guided trails will each take around one hour and introduce you to the park's natural features and history.
Coller Bay Walking and Cycling Track - 3.5km, 45mins one way
This shared-use track follows the lake edge, connecting all camping and day visitor areas from Devil Cove to Lakeside.
Wallaby Bay Walk Track
Cook Point - 2.5km, 40 mins one way
School Point - 7km, 2 hrs one way
This easy walk begins at Wallaby Bay car park. The undulating shaded track follows the lake shore to Cook and School Points.
Cook Point and School Points via Keg Spur and High Camp
Cook Point - 5km, 1.5 hours one way
School Point - 4.6km, 2 hours one way
These walks begin at Perfect Cure Creek car park and follow Keg Spur Track with an initial steep climb to High Camp and Blowhard Spur Track.
Blowhard Spur Track
Perfect Cure Creek car park to High Camp
- 1.5km, 30 minutes one way
Blowhard Summit - 3km, 1hr one way
Merlo's Lookout Track to Blowhard Summit
- 1km, 30 minutes one way
A steep climb up Blowhard Spur Track provides excellent views of the lake and surrounding bushland and hills from some of the parks highest points at Blowhard Summit and High Camp.
Devil River Track to Skyline Road - 2.8km, 1hr one way
This delightful forest walk winds through a moist gully and follows the old park entrance road.
Estate Spur Track
Point Mibus or Lakeside - 3 km, 1 hour one way
Bedrock Creek - 2.2 km, 45 minutes one way
From the park office, the track climbs steeply to the top of the hill and intersects the main spur. To the left, the track is open and undulating giving expansive views and descends to Point Mibus or Lakeside. To the right, the track becomes well shaded and descends to Bedrock Creek and Bolte Bay Track. Return along Bolte Bay Track for a pleasant lake walk.
Picnicking
Enjoy a picnic with family and friends at Forsyth Flat or Herb Fitzroy Day Visitor Areas. Both have shelters with free gas barbecues and picnic tables.
Water Sports
The lake provides great opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and water skiing. The day visitor and camping areas provide access to the lake.
Bike Riding
Coller Bay walking and bike riding track links the three campgrounds. Cycling is only permitted on roads and vehicle tracks throughout the remainder of the park.
Camping
Car and boat-based camping opportunities abound within the park. All campsites are un-powered. The Fraser camping area can accommodate tents and some caravans and campervans. Camping fees apply to Fraser and Jerusalem Creek camping areas. Bookings are required.
Fraser camping area - Lakeside, Candlebark and Devil Cove
Visitor facilities include toilets, hot showers, free gas barbecues, shelters and picnic areas. There are excellent concrete boat ramps within the camping area that have been positioned at different water levels (down to 10% of capacity) to ensure maximum lake access year round.
Jerusalem Creek camping area
Jerusalem Creek has eight camping areas. Fireplaces and pit toilets are provided. Bring your own drinking water. Dogs under control are permitted only at Jerusalem Creek camping area.
Boat-based camping
Remote style camping can be accessed by foot or boat at Taylor's Creek, Mountaineer Creek and Coopers Point. Facilities include composting toilets and fireplaces at Taylor's Creek and Mountaineer Inlet. Camp fees do not apply for boat based camping.
History
The traditional homeland of the Taungurung people extends across the land on which Lake Eildon National Park now exists. These areas, rich and diverse in plant and animal life, have been gathering, ceremonial and camp sites for thousands of years. Many cultural sites and spiritual links remain today.
The original Sugarloaf Dam was built in 1927 to provide irrigation water to farmers in the Goulburn Valley. In 1955 the wall was extended and the Goulburn and Delatite Rivers were flooded to create Lake Eildon.
Lake Eildon's western shore was declared as Fraser National Park in 1957 and in 1980 the forest to the south and north was declared as Eildon State Park. The two parks were joined in June 1997 to create the 26,670 ha Lake Eildon National Park.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted only at the Jerusalem Creek camping area. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in other areas.
Location and Access
The park is a leisurely and picturesque two hour drive from Melbourne (145km north east). Fraser camping area is located 17km east of Alexandra and Jerusalem Creek camping area is 10km east of the Eildon township.
Note: Photos from Parks Victoria
Web Links
→ Lake Eildon National Park (Parks Victoria)
→ Lake Eildon National Park - Visitor Guide (PDF)
→ Lake Eildon National Park - Map (PDF)
→ The Best Family Activities in the Yarra Valley
→ Lake Eildon Reveals Its Secret - Heritage Story (PDF)
→ Lake Eildon on Facebook
→ Lake Eildon Fishing on Facebook
