The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Hindmarsh Shire Region
The Hindmarsh Shire region is about four and a half hours drive north-west of Melbourne and includes the towns of Dimboola, Jeparit, Nhill and Rainbow.
The region includes areas of the Big Desert Wilderness Park and Wyperfeld National Park in the north, and the Little Desert National Park to the south which gives access to the "outback" but is accessible from the Western Highway.
There are many outdoor activities based around a number of lakes including Lake Hindmarsh Lake Reserve, Lake Albacutya Park and the visually spectacular Pink Lake located just west of Dimboola.
A map of the region is:
Some of the best activities for families in the region are:
Dimboola
At Apex Park hop aboard the an oil-burning J539 Locomotive which was built in Lancashire, England in 1954.
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The huge Little Desert National Park is accessible from Dimboola. The best time to visit the park is between late winter and early summer when the temperatures are comfortable and the park is full of blossoms and wildflowers. Camp beside the Wimmera River, and enjoy bushwalks, birdwatching or four-wheel driving. Most tracks within the park are very sandy and are suitable for four wheel drive vehicles only.
Pink Lake is located just west of Dimboola. The lake can be viewed from a view point near the highway or you can also walk down the path to the edge of the lake. The pink colour of the water comes from a pigment secreted by microscopic algae and the intensity of the colour depends on the water level of the lake.
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Dimboola Outdoor Swimming Pool has a solar heated outdoor 50m main pool, toddlers pool and shaded picnic areas.
Dimboola Print Museum houses a rare and extensive collection of 'as it operated' printing presses and associated machinery, all of which is still operable.
Jeparit
The Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum occupies four hectares adjacent to the Wimmera River and houses many historic buildings, antiques, vintage farming machinery and furnishings of the first Europeans in the district.
Jeparit Swimming Pool is a solar heated outdoor 25 m main pool, toddlers pool and shaded picnic areas. A life guard is on duty at all times and a small kiosk operates during opening times.
There is a basic skatepark which has a metal quarter with different heights at the end of a concrete base and another small metal quarter.
Lake Hindmarsh Lake Reserve is Victoria's largest natural freshwater lake and has basic facilities with bush settings which make the lake ideal for the self-contained visitor to enjoy bird watching, bush camping, boating and fishing.
Nhill
The best playground is at Jaypex Park on the Western Highway. The highlight is a huge mound with a very long slide. There is also an outdoor gym and picnic facilities including a big shelter with table and BBQ, water tap, unshaded tables, toilets and grassy areas. Things of interest within close distance of the playground include information about the Mallee Fowl, an example of an Aboriginal Scar Tree, an old wagon under a shelter with tourist information, the cottage of poet John Shaw Neilson which has an amazing shingle roof.
The Nhill Swamp Wildlife Reserve which has loop walks ranging in distance from 600m to 1800m is next to the playground.
Hermans Hill Nature Walk is a walk with a bird-hide and an information bay through the mallee-scrub to a hill overlooking the surrounding district.
The Nhill Vintage Machinery Shed houses current and completed restoration projects.
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre provides an insight into life on a World War II air base through informative displays and memorabilia. An Avro Anson aircraft is also being restored.
Nhill Historical Society Museum displays includes an extensive collection of John Shaw Neilson memorabilia.
Nhill Swimming Pool has a solar heated outdoor 25m pool, learners/hydro pool, beach entry, play pool and shaded picnic areas.
Nhill has a basic skate park.
Are the family finances up for a free flying splurge? A Kube Aviation, which is based at Nhill Airport, offers joy flights which can include local attractions such as Mount Arapiles, Horsham, Lake Natimuk, Pink Lake, Lake Hindmarsh and the Grampians.
Rainbow
Rainbow Swimming Pool has a solar heated outdoor 30m pool, toddlers pool, water slide and shaded picnic areas.
There is a very basic Rainbow Skatepark with plans for an upgrade.
Other Locations
Lake Albacutya Park which adjoins Wyperfeld National Park is usually dry and is suited to walks and drives.
Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Hindmarsh Shire council region are here:
Web Links
→ www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au
