Lake Wendouree
JUST relax. Lake Wendouree showcases everything Ballarat does best on long, lazy days in summer.
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Stretch out under sweeping tree branches. Walk, run or ride either to chill out or work up a sweat in a new fitness resolution around the track.
Explore nearby gardens in and around the lake. Grab a coffee and enjoy the scenery. Collect fresh foods straight from producers at the lake farmers’ markets.
Then step back in time.
Ballarat’s iconic lake tram can highlight the best of the lake from a vintage view.
Tourists love it, but so do locals.
Ballarat Tramway Museum vice-president Paul Mong said the lake offers the perfect spot to offer a hands-on taste of the city’s history.
Enthusiastic volunteers dress up in authentic uniform, and sell collectable tickets, for a ride into old Ballarat along 1.3 kilometres of the original track near Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
“It really is a fun family activity...a lot of grandparents like to take their grandchildren on a ride, so they can experience what Ballarat was like with trams,” Mr Mong said.
“For our volunteers to work Christmas Day, as well as every day of the January school holidays, it’s pretty special.”
An 1887 horse-drawn vintage tram will add a special touch to the lake landscape on the Australia Day weekend.
Ice-creams are a popular lakeside indulgence and now pooches can have their own post-walk sweet treat.
Pipers by the Lake launched a Doggie menu, including dog-friendly ice-creams and headlined by puppuccinos, for fur babies to lap up alongside their human pack.
If picnics are more your thing, Ballarat will be spoilt for lakeside summer sounds. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are set to rock out their biggest, boldest production in the North Gardens in mid-January before the Red Hot Summer Tour, headlined by John Farnham, rolls into town.
Singer-song writers Bernard Fanning and Kasey Chambers are joining together to form a magical evening in Lake Wendouree’s Fairyland Reserve in February for their Sooner or Later tour.
Adventure is also close at hand.
Summer in Ballarat is about water sports for the experienced and those wanting to learn how to soak up Ballarat from a different perspective.
Ballarat Yacht Club commodore Neville Bilney encouraged people to discover sailing – it was the perfect way to learn to sail.
The club will run a two-part series teaching young tackers how to get started having fun on the water and the basic tips and techniques.
Billed as the jewel of Ballarat, Lake Wendouree shines spectacular in summer with something for everyone, in any mood to get out and enjoy the warm months.
