In part one of great inland Lakes of Australia, we saw lakes in almost every state of Australia that reached from coastal areas, to the outback and into Australian Capital Territory. There was so much diversity in the lakes that it gave everyone, including we travel bloggers, an insight to what is out there to still explore in this great brown land of ours.

Part two will also surprise you with a lake that was once a volcano, a freshwater lake located on an island and lakes with thrombolites! So without further ado here they are:

New South Wales

Lake Jindabyne

Lake Jindabyne is a man-made lake that sits in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains region of NSW. Adjacent to the lake is the small town of Jindabyne. The original town of Jindabyne was moved to its present location in the 1960’s before the damming of the Snowy River for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. The site of the original township is now covered by the waters of Lake Jindabyne. When the water levels are very low, glimpses of the remains of the old town can be seen.

Jindabyne is now a popular resort town during the winter months due to its proximity to the ski fields.

But during the summer months is when Lake Jindabyne really comes to life. It is a popular spot for recreational boating and fishing. It has two caravan parks situated right on its banks and one of them offers almost water front camp sites.

It is always a popular spot with families during the summer with an added bonus of it being a little bit cooler than other parts of regional NSW.

Melissa Chambers – All Around Oz

Queensland

Lake Eacham

Lake Eacham is one of my favourite lakes to visit so far in Australia, both for its beauty and the perfectly clear water that invites you to jump in.

It is located in The Atherton Tablelands about 68km or 1hrs south west of Cairns.

The lake was formed approximately 12,000 years ago by molten magma. Magma from the centre of the earth rose to the surface and heated the water table and as a result steam from the boiling water was trapped underground, until explosions released it. Huge cracks then appeared in the ground forming the crater where the water has since filled it, creating the tranquil lake used today by families and tourists alike. There are no streams that flow into or out the lake it is replenished only through rainfall.

It is the perfect place to have a picnic and a cool refreshing swim. There is a stunning walk created around the lake where you peer through the tropical rainforest and pandanus trees to the azure water.

I had not heard of it before I travelled to the Atherton Tablelands and now I long to return to the cool refreshing water and surroundings of this very special place.

Anita Jamieson – Wild Heart Adventures

Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island

With its infamous white silica sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water and filled with only rain water, Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island would be our most favourites of lakes in all of our travels so far. A perfect spot for some recreational water fun, a relaxing solo swim or just sitting on the beach soaking in the atmosphere and charm that Lake McKenzie has to offer. Our most favourite times to visit was before 9am or after 4.30 when the crowds died down, allowing you to soak in the serenity and enjoy a magnificent Lake McKenzie swim.

Read More about Discover Family Travel’s visit to Fraser Island and Lake MacKenzie HERE

Leezett Birch & John Majstorovic – Discover Family Travel

South Australia

Blue Lake, Mount Gambier

Visit between November and March and you’ll see why Mount Gambier’s best known attraction was (not so imaginatively) named ‘Blue Lake’! No one knows exactly why the 77 metre deep crater lake – part of the Kanawinka Geotrail – is at it’s bluest in summer, but it’s probably got something to do with the temperature. Just as well it isn’t anything more sinister – Blue Lake is Mount Gambier’s water supply! Although it looks more like ‘Steel Grey Lake’ in the colder months, you can go down the old well shaft to the water level on an Aquifer tour, or just admire it from above either on the 3.6 km walk around the rim or from Centenary Tower. Further afield, South Australia’s Limestone Coast also has a ‘Little Blue Lake’ – can you imagine what that looks like??

Marion Halliday at Red Nomad OZ . Read more about Blue Lake and the Limestone Coast and the Kanawinka Geotrail on her blog Red’s Australia

Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre or also know as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is located in the desert of Northern South Australia and is approximately 15 meter below sea level at it’s deepest parts. Most people visiting this Lake will notice it’s dry salt crust. But even in the dry season the lake always has some water left. After big floods and rain the lake can fill up completely. When this happens the lake is the largest one in Australia with a size of around 9,500 km² and turns from a salt lake in a fresh water paradise for fish and other animals.

Becca Kana – Kanguru Adventure

Tasmania

Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s iconic natural wonders with the majestic Dove Lake just below it at its northern end. For those of you who like hiking, or perhaps just want to give it a try, the 6km the Dove Lake Circuit is one of the most accessible short walks in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Set off on along the trek and you will encounter the historic Dove Lake boat shed, be amazed at the natural beauty all around and perhaps even encounter a native animal or two.

Dove Lake is easy to get to after you arrive at the national park, with shuttle buses running throughout the day to and from the rangers station which are included in your park permit.

Leah Smileski – The Kid Bucket List

Victoria

Gippsland Lakes

 

One of Victoria’s famous group of lakes and a holiday favourite for families for years is the Gippsland Lakes at Lakes Entrance in Victoria. We spent a few days camped here in 2014.

Australia’s largest and most beautiful inland waterways, the Gippsland Lakes, are a network of lakes, marshes and lagoons covering 400 square kilometres, and are separated from the ocean with coastal dunes known as Ninety Mile Beach.

At the hub of the lakes system is Lakes Entrance, as the name suggests it is situated at the entrance from the ocean to the lakes. Feast your eyes on the spectacular views from any point, night or day.  Watch fishing boats returning with their catch and see the many local Pelicans, Black Swans and Seabirds.

The lakes are a mecca for boaties, fisherman and yachtsman, plus a great spot for small children to play and swim in the calm water lakes.

Kathy Marris – 50 Shades Of Age

West Australia

Lake Richmond

Image Credit- ABC News

Lake Richmond situated 60kms south of Perth, is one of the few sites where you can actually see thrombolites. At first glance they look like dome shaped rocks sitting in the water but what you are witnessing are actually one of the oldest living life forms on the planet. They grow are a very slow pace of roughly one centimetre a year so don’t expect anything to enthralling but as Bill Bryson says ‘it’s not the sight of stromatolites that makes them exciting. It’s the idea of them’.

There is a 3 km walking track around the lake for you to enjoy the scenery and the abundance of birdlife including the iconic Black Swan. So pack a picnic and enjoy…

Ron and Michele Legge – Legging It

Lake Thetis

Lake Thetis may be small, but it certainly packs a punch for exploring the unfamiliar.

Located 198km north of Perth, Western Australia just outside the coastal town of Cervantes, Lake Thetis makes an interesting and educational side trip when visiting the Cervantes and Pinnacles region. What makes visiting Lake Thetis so unique is seeing the LIVING 3500-year-old organisms in the forms of stromatolites and thrombolites.

A self-guided sign posted boardwalk allows people of all physical attributes to see and learn about these unusual organisms. You can either take a short 300m walk to the main viewing area of the stromatolites and thrombolites, or walk the entire 1.5km circumference of Lake Thetis to relish in the native flora and fauna; that will be particularly stunning during the West Australian Spring wildflower season. Thereby turning what is essentially a visit to a small lake into an experience of beauty and wonder.

Sally-Ann Brown – Tips for Trips

That is what they call a wrap! I think we have covered a lot of territory between us, and I for one, now have added many more places to my Aussie bucket list. Have you got a favourite lake you like to visit or camp at?