Lake Bill

[Rick]

Hi everyone,
Helen here, Rick's wife, commandeering Rick's logon to ask about the suitability of a bushwalk and camping at Lake Bill for Rick, myself and our 7 year old son Henry.
We took Henry to Shadow Lake for his first overnight bushwalking trip last year (he did really well) and are looking for a new destination that is not too hard or too far, but far enough!, with a good campsite close to the lake and with fishing to keep Rick happy!
It seems harder than we thought trying to find somewhere, does anyone have any knowledge/thoughts on Lake Bill? Or anywhere else that fits our criteria? (From what I've already researched it sounds like uphill for the first 1.5kms and then possibly muddy across Blizzard Plain but distance wise it is not too far so thinking it would be "do-able"?).
Appreciate your input

[flyfisher]

Yeah it's a steep uphill, but ok if you dont push too hard.

Should be able to find nice camp spot where you first arrive at the lake.

The mud should be avoidable, especially in this dry year.

Fish should be active too, if you have nice weather.

FF

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Lake Bill

[eggs]

Our first overnight hike with kids was to Lake Myrtle via Lake Bill.
The 2 we took were 18 and 14 years old.
We had no prep and the initial climb was tough and we needed to take our time.
The track log book is at the top of the climb and we took about 2 hours.
Its level across Blizzard Plains from there to Lake Bill.
If you follow the shore around a little way off track there is a small beach were we had lunch.

Lunch at Lake Bill

All up it took 4 hours to cover the 5 km from the car to go past Lake Bill to Lake Myrtle.
The return trip was 3 hours.

If you can patiently work to Lake Myrtle - the lakeside setting is superb.

Camp at Lake Myrtle

[Scottyk]

Yeah its worth the push to get to Myrtle if you can. Bill doesn't have the fantastic camping that Myrtle does.
Have a check for Leeches as you go up the hill from the car, I have found they can be very friendly on the way up that hill passing through the bracken fern under the gum trees. Ok once you get up the Blizzard plains.
Great area

[Chris]

Just one caution after going up there 6 weeks ago - there were many fallen trees and at times they obscured the track. Having to back-track once or twice probably increased the time going up by about 30 minutes and it was tough going.
No mud then but of course the recent rain could have changed that.
Lake Myrtle would certainly be a superb campsite. Can't wait to get back there but next time a few days via Trappers etc is more appealing.

[flyfisher]

Lake Myrtle lacks the fishing that lake Bill has.

I was at Bill between Christmas and New Year a few years back and there was a lot of mayfly activity.

This had the fish quite active, black spinner (fly) worked well.

FF

[Rick]

Thanks for your responses and great pics everyone. I think it might be a good idea to leave this trip until next season when Henry's just that bit older, especially considering Chris' response regarding the track condition and so we can make it to Lake Myrtle. Thinking maybe Shadow Lake again or perhaps a western lakes destination - gotta keep my boys happy!