Lake Wendouree's History

The Original Goldfields Water Supply
The crown shaped scoria rockery at the south-east corner of the Lake was built in 1879, over the original 1858 filter beds, to mark the location of Ballarat's first water supply. Exotic plantings of Cordylines, Yuccas and Aloes make the rockery a distinctive feature of the Lake.

View Point
In 1874, the Esplanade (View Point) was developed as a promenade. Quarry holes were fenced and a 300ft long pier was constructed. When completed in 1881, the jetty on the peninsula afforded the best vantage point around the Lake. With panoramic views to distant lake shores, the timber boardwalk became a favourite spot to promenade. In 1957 the old jetty was removed and the promontory was sown with grass. There are many photographs of View Point because it was a busy place near the steamer landings and that yacht races began from here.

Lake View Hotel
The Lake View Hotel was established in 1875. It is the only hotel remaining of a total of 13 hotels previously on Wendouree Parade.

1869 Dought
In the drought year of 1869, the lake bed was cleared by burning the reeds and the bed itself was deepened. A causeway for pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles was built right across the Lake from Macarthur Street on the eastern shore to the Gardens. The northern section was a wildlife reserve and the southern section was for water sports. When the rains came again the embankment disintegrated but the remains of it can still be seen from the air.

1956 Olympic Games
The area at the end of the 2,000m rowing course pays tribute to Ballarat's Olympic representatives and athletes who competed on Lake Wendouree during the 1956 Olympic Games.

Rowing Course Widened
In 2001, the rowing course was widened to eight lanes and extended at the start and finish. New starting and judging towers were constructed and an albano buoying system was installed.

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