Lake Benalla walk

Lake Benalla walk created by Sean Mathews

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Summary

This excellent waterside walk has something of interest to every generation. From classic botanic gardens to a skate park of art. From nature, BBQs and picnics to a splash park and cultural riches.

Description

This walk isn't just about the walking. Take the time to dwell on the many pleasurable sights and activities your walking will take you too. The landscapes vary from traditional Botanical Gardens to the forested River Red Gum floodplain. The activities vary from a children's Splash Park to Benalla Art Gallery. With so much in between.

Lake Benalla provides natural habitat for indigenous birds and fauna including pelicans, echidnas, platypus and gliders. The parklands are home to ornamental garden beds and groves of mature trees. Diverse indigenous and exotic plantings can be enjoyed. A dedicated Aboriginal Garden includes its own unique design, plantings, walking tracks and special places.

Amenities abound. Car parking is available at many locations around the walk. Sheltered BBQs, potable water and the many picnic tables and seats make re energising, rest or contemplation easy. Cultural and recreational installations are many. There is much public art to discover. The whole family will love the play and sports opportunities including water play, exercise stations, playgrounds, BMX tracks and a skate park.

The walking tracks are both sealed and unsealed. All are smooth and firm. Prams and pushers can be managed easily.

Lake Benalla is perfect for dog walking. Dogs must remain leashed except in specified areas identified here Benalla dog walking regulations

This is a walk suitable for all seasons. Make sure you carry food, water and are SunSmart. Summer in particular can be very hot.

Other walks in the Benalla region
Benalla Botanical Gardens walk
Rocky Ned walk
White's Rock walk
Lima Falls walk
Pine Gully Nature Trail

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Points of Interest

1. A place to begin

Start at the War Memorial in front of the gallery, cross the Monash Bridge and head down to the ceramic installation on the embankment. Follow the gravel track downstream past the swimming pool.

2. Benalla Ceramic Mural

Completed in 2010, this Gaudi evoking terracotta masterpiece was designed by Wedderburn artist Judy Lorraine. Its creation involved leading Australian ceramic artists and many local volunteers.

3. Benalla Splash Park

Situated next door to the public swimming pool is a press to play sheltered space of water fun. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. The shade cloth is no substitute for being SunSmart.

4. Exercise stations

Three outdoor exercise stations with fixed equipment designed to improve your fitness are placed along the track.

5. Benalla Aboriginal Community Garden

In recognition of the history of the Benalla district before European settlement, this inviting garden trail is designed with a view toward learning about indigenous culture and the environment.

6. Broken River railway bridge

The walking track passes directly under the Melbourne to Sydney railway line.

7. Fish ladder

After the Broken River was dammed in 1972 to create Lake Benalla a fish ladder was installed to facilitate ongoing fish movement up and down stream.

8. The dam wall

Views from the dam wall extend upstream past the northern island to the Monash Bridge. It is also a great location for watching water birds.

9. The Benalla Botanical Gardens

Passing the tennis courts as you head upstream marks the beginning of Benalla's delightful Botanical Gardens. If you haven't time to add them to the Lake Benalla walk they are worth coming back too.

10. Under the bridge

A lakeside boardwalk takes you past the Benalla Art Gallery and under Monash Bridge as you head toward the islands.

11. Art by the water

The celebrated Benalla Art Gallery from across the lake.

12. A classic grandstand

The Benalla Showgrounds and Recreation Reserve hosts many sporting, community and agricultural events.

13. Benalla Lakeside Community Centre

The Benalla community facilities are second to none.

14. Island footbridges

Footbridges connect the three islands at the head of the lake.

15. Little Casey Island

The divided waters of the Broken River enter the lake via twisting waterways and billabongs. The walk takes in three islands. Dogs are allowed off leash in the signed areas.

16. Link Island

The islands in the stream are home to an alluring forested River Red Gum floodplain. There are many magnificent trees.

17. Benalla water towers

Not many structures dominate the Benalla skyline, but these are hard to miss.

18. Birdlife

For birdwatchers, there are plenty of specimens to observe en route.

19. Jaycee Island

Giant Fig trees and towering Bunyas mark your entry into yet another park within a park. Jaycee Island has its own playground, BBQ and picnic facilities - yet another lovely section of the walk.

20. If you love walking the dog

Both the leashed and unleashed areas of the islands are perfect for dog walking with wide, sealed paths and plenty of shade.

21. An artistic skatepark

Part of the Benalla Art Trail, this is one special skate park because includes several works such as these by Choq (to the left) and Danielle Webber (to the right). How lucky these local skaters are!

22. Benalla Public Library

House of culture, street art host and an attractive work in its own right, the library marks the walkers return to more open space.

23. Lakeside BBQs

There are several sheltered shoreside spaces to stop and snack, rest, observe, BBQ or picnic along the walk.

24. Analemmatic sundial

This horizontal sundial adopts passing humans as its vertical gnomon for casting a linear shadow across the elliptical hour markers to determine solar time.