Summer in Loddon Valley

Published on 17 December 2015

SUMMER’S here and don’t we know it?

When opportunities for short breaks come up, Loddon Shire’s wealth of lakes, waterways, quiet fishing spots and pleasant nature walks could be just the ticket.

As close as 25 minutes from Bendigo, the Shire offers visitors the chance to go swimming, water skiing, canoeing or kayaking and camp safely in established parks or in the bush under star-splashed skies.

Day trippers, too, can enjoy picnics and barbecues close to the water’s edge, varied walking and cycling trails, unique tourist attractions and browsing through Inglewood’s renowned collectables stores.

The Loddon River, which runs through Bridgewater, Serpentine and Boort on its way to the Murray, flows through the Cairn Curran and Laanecoorie Reservoirs and several weirs.

Newbridge and Laanecoorie Weir are famed for their fishing, canoeing, boating, walking and cycling opportunities, while Bridgewater boasts a historic swimming hole, 3.2km general water skiing zone, slalom and ski jump.

The Bridgewater Water Ski Club hosts the Australian Masters on the river each January featuring trick skiing, slalom and jumps, while the Bridgewater Triathlon in February offers four course options and plenty of prizes.

Council’s smart new caravan and camping park at Bridgewater, with 98 powered sites, pool and camp kitchen, is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area.

Bushwalkers can savour the Koorooya State Park, Melville Caves and Terrick Terrick National Park, camping is allowed near the picnic area, while nearby Pyramid Hill offers walking trails running to and around the town’s famous hill.

Tarnagulla and Wedderburn tempt amateur gold fossickers to try their luck in the surrounding bushland, while Boort offers sites rich in indigenous history.

Lake Leaghur and Lake Lyndger provide opportunities for walking and cycling and Little Lake Boort hosts a caravan park, swimming options, metal sculpture trail, parklands and public tennis courts.