Lake Eildon Region -
Whether you’re looking to relax on a houseboat casting a line, enjoy trail rides, bush walks and exciting water sports in beautiful natural settings or sample quality food and wine and discover local arts and crafts, Lake Eildon offers the chance to get away to it all.
With over 500 kilometres of shoreline, sheltered bays and safe swimming beaches, Lake Eildon is Victoria’s largest inland lake. Its vast tranquil waters are a popular aquatic playground, perfect for canoeing, kayaking and sail boarding. And where else can you water ski further than the distance between Melbourne and Geelong?
The region is an angler’s paradise, with both Lake Eildon and its surrounding rivers – the Howqua, Goulburn, Rubicon, Acheron and Big – containing an abundance of brown and rainbow trout, Murray cod and golden perch.
The lake and rivers are an irresistible magnet, but there’s plenty to see and do off the water too, with a range of wonderful natural and heritage attractions, and activities for all ages.
Walking trails in Lake Eildon National Park lead through native forest and bush land, past grazing kangaroos to panoramic views and tranquil campgrounds. Elsewhere, horse-riding trails and hiking tracks wind through tall forests and scenic river valleys.
The whole family will enjoy attractions such as Museums, a Boutique Brewery, Wineries, Fauna Parks and the Freshwater Discovery Centre, with its aquarium and trout-feeding ponds. Visit fascinating deer and alpaca farms, and catch dinner the easy way at a well-stocked trout farm.
Reward your taste buds with local gourmet food and fresh produce. Create a picnic feast of berries and fruits, nuts, olives, breads, meats and cheeses, complemented by premium regional wines. Admire the works of local painters, sculptors and potters at the many fine art and craft galleries, browse for antiques and collectibles, and dine in village cafes and elegant restaurants.
There are so many places to explore, all at your own pace – the gateway town of Eildon, the historic charm of Alexandra, Thornton in the heart of picturesque river country and the colourful mountain country heritage of Mansfield. Around the shores of Lake Eildon towns such as Bonnie Doon, Goughs Bay and Howqua offer excellent boating facilities, making an ideal base for water-based activities
Stay a while and get to meet the locals. Accommodation options include a great selection of Hotels, Motels and Resorts as well as welcoming and well-serviced caravan parks, bush campgrounds, charming B&Bs, secluded retreats and country cottages.
And somewhere there’s a houseboat, rocking gently under a starlit sky.
This time next year, when friends ask about the perfect summer holiday destination you’ll be saying – “Lake Eildon – you’ll love it!”