Donald, Victoria: Best attractions and things to do

The best things to do in Donald, Victoria, include the train park, duck-spotting at Lake Buloke and climbing Mt Jeffcott.

Donald, Victoria, is a small town on the Sunraysia Highway in the west of the state. It’s not a town that many visitors pass through, but might make for a passable rest stop if travelling from Melbourne or Ballarat to Mildura.

The small town of Donald, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

The town is on the Richardson River, and the river is the most appealing attraction. There are walking tracks along the river, and if you head out early in the morning there’s a good chance of seeing wallabies on the flats. Scilley’s Island in the river is also home to a native plant reserve.

Things to do in Donald, Victoria: Lions’ Train Park

Other things to do in Donald, Victoria, include visiting the Lions’ Train Park. This is a collection of old rolling stock assembled by the train line. Melbourne to Mildura trains still pass through, but don’t stop in Donald any more.

Sportier types will want to head to the south east of the town, where the Donald Golf Course sits along side the bowls club and tennis courts.

Donald, Victoria: Lake Gil Gil and Lake Buloke

Otherwise, the main things to do in Donald, Victoria, are just out of town. The small Lake Gil Gil is a decent spot for watching birds and reptiles – particularly the long-necked tortoises that live there.

Bigger is Lake Buloke, which is very shallow and hosts several lunettes with aboriginal middens. Lots of ducks live around Lake Buloke, which makes it popular with duck hunters.

Things to do in Donald, Victoria: Mt Jeffcott Reserve

Arguably the best attraction around Donald, Victoria, is the Mt Jeffcott Reserve. North-east of Donald, Mt Jeffcott is 262 metres above sea level. Getting to the lookout is fairly easy – a walking track heads to the summit. But it’s the journey that matters – keep an eye out for orchids, kangaroos, wallabies, goannas and wedge-tailed eagles.

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