Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Lake Eppalock State Park is located approximately 12 kilometers south of the town of Axedale and about 18 kilometers east of Bendigo in central Victoria. The park encompasses the large reservoir known as Lake Eppalock, which was created by damming the Campaspe River in 1961. The lake covers around 22,000 acres and is one of the largest reservoirs in Victoria, serving primarily for irrigation and water supply purposes. The surrounding parkland spans onto the natural bushland and offers a diverse landscape of open woodland, riverine forest, and dry sclerophyll vegetation. Visitors to the park benefit from its range of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and sailing on the lake, alongside bushwalking and mountain biking on the trails around the shores. Wildlife is abundant, with native species such as kangaroos, wombats, and numerous bird varieties commonly sighted. The Lake Eppalock State Park also features various picnic areas and campgrounds, making it a favored destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The dam wall and nearby lookout points provide scenic views of the surrounding plains and water body. The park appeals year-round but is especially popular during the warmer months for water sports and camping. Its combination of aquatic recreation and natural bush environment makes it a significant protected landscape in Victoria’s regional open space network.
