Lake Elizabeth

In June 1952 a massive landslip dammed the course of the East Barwon River, causing the formation of what is now known as Lake Elizabeth. For some months the river was dry, to the perplexity of the locals, but in about August 1952 it started to flow again as the water had risen above the landslip. A couple of years later after some very heavy rains the top 20 metres or so of the landslip gave way and a wall of water complete with boulders and gravel went thundering downstream, threatening some local towns with flooding.

Lake Elizabeth today is a tranquil place with delightful walks and seating. It is about a 1 kilometre walk from the car park and camping grounds to the Lake, with a further 5 kilometres of walks around the Lake.

Near Forrest, the fern walk to Lake Elizabeth is one of the best to be seen. Arriving at the Lake, an eerie atmosphere of dead tree trunks reflecting in very still water, makes a striking scene. March 2005. Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography

This is the first time I have been to Lake Elizabeth since 2009!

At the lake itself. This is as far as we went. We could have gone on to the trail around the lake, but it was late afternoon and the trail is quite challenging. June 2018. Copyright © Willem Schultink