Lake Wendouree, Ballarat: What is the Olympic memorial for?
Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, Victoria, is a popular recreation area with botanic gardens, walking trails and an adventure playground. But this Ballarat fishing spot also has an Olympic memorial. That’s because the rowing and canoeing events in the 1956 Olympics were held here.
Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, Victoria, is part of a chain of wetlands around the city. But it’s not entirely natural. During the Ballarat gold rush of 1851, the miners dammed the swamp. It wasn’t used as drinking water for long, and Lake Wendouree’s purpose since the 1860s has been recreation.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens at Lake Wendouree
That’s still how the lake is used today. At the eastern edge of Lake Wendouree are the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and an adventure playground. There’s also a wealth of picnic spots and barbecue facilities, although the best place to eat on the shore is the Boatshed restaurant. But can you swim in Lake Wendouree?
4 Ballarat experiences to book in advance ⬇️
- Sovereign Hill tickets – visit Australia’s best open air museum. Give it a full day, too – there’s so much to see and do.
- Ballarat Wildlife Park entry – meet loads of cute native Aussie animals.
- Kryal Castle admission – enjoy a bizarre knights in armour theme park.
- Beer-making course – learn to brew, with tastings and lunch thrown in.
Alas, swimming is not advisable in the lake, due to all manner of hazards and the general shallowness of the water. It is, however, used for fishing, rowing and sailing.
Steve Moneghetti running track in Ballarat
If getting exercise is the priority, then the 6km Steve Moneghetti running and walking track which skirts Lake Wendouree’s edge should do the job.
Overseas visitors, however, might be more curious about the strange Y-shaped monument with the Olympic Rings balanced on top.
Lake Wendouree Olympic memorial
What is this Olympic memorial for, though? Well, most of the 1956 Olympics were held in Melbourne. But there wasn’t a suitable venue in Melbourne for the rowing and canoeing events, so the organisers looked further afield.
Lake Wendouree fitted the bill, so Ballarat hosted the 1956 Olympic rowing and canoeing events. There’s still a world class 2,000 metre rowing course on the lake today. The Olympics will come back to Australia in 2032 – the 2032 Olympics will be held in Brisbane.
Little-known Ballarat is one of the biggest cities in Australia. The drive from Melbourne to Ballarat takes about an hour and 20 minutes. Other Ballarat attractions include the brilliant Sovereign Hill open air museum and Ballarat Wildlife Park. Pack a cardigan, though – the Ballarat weather can get surprisingly chilly.
Places to eat in Ballarat include traditional Spanish joint Meigas Ballarat.
More Australian lakes
Fishing at Lake Tyers in East Gippsland.
Staying at Pumphouse Point on Lake St Clair in Tasmania.
An overnight stop at Lake Monduran near Gin Gin, Queensland.
The Lake Eacham volcanic crater lake in the Atherton Tableland.
Camping at Lake Fyans in the Grampians.