Lake Mulwala: Things to do in Yarrawonga, Victoria
The best things to do in Yarrawonga, Victoria, include Lake Mulwala cruises aboard the Paradise Queen or PS Cumberoona, plus fishing for Giant Murray Cod.
Lake Mulwala shouldn’t really exist. It was created in 1939, as the Yarrawonga Weir was constructed across the Murray River. Lake Mulwala was the resulting reservoir, and now exists for irrigation purposes.
The lake is around a quarter the size of Sydney Harbour, with a 4,450 hectare area. It’s 1,992km from the Mouth of the Murray River in the Coorong near Goolwa, and 528km from the source in the Australian Alps.
Where is Lake Mulwala?
Lake Mulwala thrives near the border towns of Yarrawonga in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales. Visitors to Australia are most likely to encounter the lake on a Murray River road trip between Albury and Echuca. But is it worth stopping at?
Well, it certainly is if you’re keen on fishing. Lake Mulwala is one of the best places in Australia to catch the normally elusive Giant Murray Cod. Also in abundance are the trout cod, Murray crayfish and silver perch. You need a permit before fishing, however.
Lake Mulwala cruises in Yarrawonga
A Lake Mulwala cruise is one of the best things to do in Yarrawonga. Cumberoona runs paddlewheeler cruises aboard the PS Cumberoona and Sienna Daisy. Scenic cruises are also available aboard the bigger, but less romantic MV Paradise Queen. A 1.5 hour cruise costs $20, but a better bet might be the breakfast cruise. This lasts between 1.5 and three hours, costing from $30 to $36. Bacon and egg rolls are served up on board, and the cruise departs from the Yarrawonga foreshore.
For most people passing by Lake Mulwala on the drive from Albury to Echuca, however, the appeal is visual. The lake is sprinkled with the bare trunks of half-submerged river red gum trees. These give a ghostly effect – bare, spiking branches reach out in all directions.
There’s no shortage of vantage points to take your photos of the seemingly-drowned forest. The lake foreshores offer picnic areas, barbecue facilities, playgrounds and walking tracks.
How to visit Yarrawonga
Lake Mulwala and Yarrawonga are best visited as part of a Murray River road trip from kayak-friendly Albury to historic paddlesteamer cruise hub Echuca. Weave it into the Murray Gate Farm Trail after an indulgent stop at Corowa Whisky and Chocolate or tasting wines in the grounds of a castle at the All Saints winery in Wahgunyah. Then learn more about the river red gums in the Murray Valley and Barmah National Parks.
More lakes in Australia
Can I visit the Lake Hart salt lake in South Australia?
Why should I do a Hattah Lakes tour from Mildura?
Fishing at Boondooma Dam in the South Burnett region of Queensland.
Stay at Pumphouse Point on Lake St Clair, Tasmania.
Go swimming at Lake Bullen Merri on the drive from Warrnambool to Melbourne.