Lake Colac & Colac Botanical Gardens Accessible Walk

Lake Colac & Colac Botanical Gardens Accessible Walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

Lake Colac has many inviting features. The foreshore is popular with walkers, rollers, for birdwatching, fishing and boating. The Botanical Gardens provide a beautiful back drop to the water.

Description

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The largest freshwater lake in Victoria, Lake Colac has plenty to offer. The foreshore is popular with walkers, rollers, for birdwatching, fishing and boating. Colac Botanical Gardens are a beautiful back drop to this lovely walk or roll beside the water.

How accessible is the path?
There are map signs at the start of the walk and in the Botanical Gardens. Paths are firm, wide and smooth. The foreshore and Queens Avenue paths are sealed. The main path around the Botanical Gardens is broad compacted gravel. There are no steps on the walk as mapped. Some paths have mixed surfaces with small lips between concrete and compacted gravel.

There is space for turning a wheelchair and side by side travel. Shorter or different routes are easy to arrange from the various car parks. Mobile phone coverage is good.

One tactile ramped road crossing is required.

Jetties tend to be narrow. Their boardwalks can have wide gaps and no safety rails. The small middle jetty is structurally unsound.

The area is very well maintained.

Rest areas include sandy beaches, grassy lawns and mature formal gardens. The walk has seating with and without armrests. Some seating is pathway connected to the walk for easier mobility aid access.

The foreshore is exposed to the weather. BBQs and picnic tables are available. Some are pathway connected to the walk, others require crossing grass. A gazebo offers built shade with stepped access only. A coffee van services the foreshore car park.

The botanical gardens have extensive tree shade, a cafe and built shelter. There is a playground including a Liberty Swing. An accessible viewing platform offers views across the lake.

Toilets
There is an accessible toilet at the start of the walk with concrete footpath access.

Accessible drinking fountains are available.

Dogs
Dogs must be on a leash. Cyclists may share some paths.

Public Transport
Bus No. 2 stops on Queens Avenue and Fyans Street outside the Botanical Garden. Bus stops have signs, some have seating (without shelter).

Parking
There are 6 parking locations along the walk with room for drop off and pickup. Surfaces are wide, firm and flat. The walk is directly connected to all car parks via ramps or kerbless access. There is one signed accessible space near the Botanical Gardens main entrance.

The following photos and descriptions provide more information regarding accessibility. Conditions may change. If you notice any variations, please let us know.

We would like to know what people with disability and carers think of our accessible Walking Maps. Please tell us by completing this 5 minute survey. Your feedback will help us to create high quality information about accessible walks.

“Walking and Rolling Together” is a partnership between Victoria Walks, Disability, Sport & Recreation and Regional Sport Victoria.

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Points of Interest

1. The beach

Lake Colac has a sandy beach for rest or play.

2. Picnic tables

Some picnic tables are pathway connected to the walk with a smooth, flat concrete base and roll under ends accessible by wheelchair.

3. An introductory map

An introductory map greets you at the start of the foreshore section of the walk.

4. A foreshore path

The paved path along the foreshore to the Colac Rowing Club is smooth, flat and 2.1 meters wide.

5. Interpretive signs

Interesting interpretive signs along the walk tell the story of the lake and its history. Signs are placed alongside the path just above ground level.

6. Colac Yacht Club jetty

The narrow concrete jetty section has a gap between bollards of 0.9 meters without safety rails. A boardwalk begins with 30 millimetre gaps. Narrow wheels and turning wheelchairs may not be safe.

7. A conference of Pelicans

There are many birds that either call the lake home or visit on their way to and from other places. These Pelicans seemed to be discussing where to go next.

8. The end of the foreshore path

Erosion has undermined the foreshore path at this point. It is clearly fenced off for safety. Return to the Yacht Club for the Queens Avenue section of the walk.

9. A short moderate slope

The foreshore path and Queens Avenue path are connected at the Yacht Club by a 30 meter section of path on a moderate slope. Some manual wheelchair users may require assistance.

10. Bus stops

Buses run along Fyans Street and Queens Avenue. There are signs, some have seating, no shelters.

11. Alternative walking / rolling routes and parking

There are several car parks along the walk from which alternative pick ups can be arranged. All have firm, flat surfaces with either ramps or kerbless access, such as this one at the Gardens.

12. Crossing Gellibrand Street

There is one road crossing on the walk. It is from Queens Avenue to the Colac Botanical Gardens main entrance beside the accessible parking space. Both kerbs have tactile ramps. Traffic is light.

13. Lake View Cafe

If you are looking for refreshment the Botanical Gardens have a cafe with dining both inside and out. Check opening times.

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14. Colac Botanical Gardens pathways

There are several compacted paths to choose from as you pass through the gardens. The main drive is very wide with narrower internal alternatives. Some internal paths may be mossy.

15. Lake Colac Lookout

For a great view across the lake visit the lookout in the Botanical Gardens. access paths are 1.9 meters wide and sealed. They ramp to the compacted surface of the main drive.

16. A colony of Flying Foxes

The Botanical Gardens are home to a busy colony of Flying Foxes. You can get a good view of them from the ground.

17. Lips

Surfaces change along the walk between sealed pavers and concrete to compacted gravel. Generally surfaces are wide, firm and smooth. Between surfaces lips may be encountered.

18. Playground, shelter and BBQs

At the end of the Botanical Gardens are picnicking and BBQ facilities including shelter and bins amongst paths and lawns. There is a large play space with some accessible features and a Liberty Swing.

19. Accessible toilet

The accessible toilet has ramped car park acccess from both sides and the Botanical Gardens. The door width is 0.89 meters and the floor area 2.2x1.7 meters. There is no signed accessible parking.