Lara Lake Walk

Lara Lake Walk created by Victoria Walks

Rate this walk

Summary

Lara Lake is a great local surprise package. Until you step into the park you don't realise how extensive it is. The open areas of grass, the maturing trees and the wetlands are terrific.

Description

Lara is a residential town set in rural surrounds between Melbourne and Geelong. Lara Lake is a great local green space with a satisfying looping walk. The parkland and waterway are attractive, and the paths designed to provide a thorough exploration of this gently undulating site.

The explorers Hume and Hovell arrived north-east of Geelong at Lara on 16 December 1824. The place where the town was laid out was originally known as Duck Ponds. The name described the local creek and the many birds that made the waterway their home.

The early town had a lake of about 15 hectares. This was drained in the 1870s. A rapidly growing population from the late twentieth century saw a need for new housing and parks in the area. The damming of the Elcho Drain has today re-established the lake for residents and visitors to enjoy as a recreation reserve and wetland.

A significant highlight is the diverse bird population that can be observed. The reserve is a bird sanctuary and an ebird hotspot with 107 species recorded.

Paths are of firm, wide and smooth sealed surfaces, or compacted gravel.

There is a playground on site and the public swimming pool is right next door. Seating and drinking water is provided. The open lawns are good for picnics and wide ranging children’s play.

Dogs are welcome on a leash. Cyclists may share some pathways.

The closest public toilets are at the nearby corner of Forest Road South and Patullos Road (300 meters).

Public transport.
Lara is a periurban Geelong satellite suburb set in rural surrounds on the Melbourne and Geelong Railway line. The station is 3 kilometres away. You can walk to the lake from the station. Alternatively, take the No. 10 Bus. It has stops next to the lake.

Car parking
There is a large car park on Forest South Road by the swimming pool. The reserve is surrounded by residential areas with roadside parking.

Rate this walk

1501 Views

Points of Interest

1. The real owner / occupiers

Almost hunted to extinction in the 19th century, Cape Barren Geese are lake residents who act like they own the place. Drive carefully, they can often be found oblivious in the middle of the road.

2. Dog walking

Dogs are welcome on a leash. Please clean up after your dog.

3. Seating

Bench seats with armrests are placed around the lake for person or creature in need of a rest.

4. Sealed paths

Some of the paths closer to areas subject to flooding are sealed concrete.

5. Good for prams and pushers

The path makes for easy pushing of prams and pushers.

6. A stormwater filtration system

The Elcho Drain is part of the local stormwater catchment that gets filtered by Lara lake.

7. Waterway crossing

The Elcho Drain connects with Hovells Creek to the east. A wide non slip elevated walkway with safety rails completes the crossing.

8. Birdlife

As an eBird hotspot you can expect to see plenty of birds here, such as this majestic Royal Spoonbill.

9. Surrounding vegetation

Many native plantings have been included in the plantations around the lake, such as this colourful flowering gum. Expect to discover various floral displays most days of the year.