Swimming water holes near Melbourne

[David M]

I would like to combine a short bushwalk, say 5 km each way with a swim at the half-way mark. Are there any such walks near Melbourne?

Thanks,

David

[ryantmalone]

I would like to combine a short bushwalk, say 5 km each way with a swim at the half-way mark. Are there any such walks near Melbourne?

Thanks,

David

Plenty of great swimming holes at Lerderderg National Park, up near Bacchus Marsh.

Plenty of great day walks in the area, great swimming holes at Grahams Dam, at the base of Link Track 2, and downstream from the Weir.

On a warm day, the water is simply pristine. Couldn't recommend a visit enough if I tried.

Here's a few of my recent visits, so you can get a better idea of what to expect:

Grahams Dam Circuit - http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=11533
Scenic Rim Overnighter - http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=12205

There's also Werribee Gorge, which has nice swimming holes all the way along the river. Not sure if there's much water in the river at the moment though, but would be worth checking out as well. Also, another very nice place to walk or swim.

Werribee Gorge Circuit - http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=11973

Hope that helps.

[Pongo]

Lerderderg has some great spots, water can get a bit low this time of year though.

Plenty Gorge seems to be popular amongst the locals and was being swum in quite a bit last time I was there (regardless of the blue green algae warnings). You could easily craft your own 5km return circuit there.

What part of town are you in?

n.b. You might want to ask an admin to move this thread to the Victoria forum

[Hallu]

Lerderderg is a State Park by the way, not a National Park (which is paradoxical since all Australian National Parks are managed by the states, not the federal government...).

You could also try some nice secluded lakes. I love lake Elizabeth in the Northern Otways for example, near the town of Forrest, you can walk all around it (it's not 10 km though I think it's more like 7) and there's a small "beach" on the right side which is signposted. And the narrow road between Beech Forrest and Forrest is to me one of the most beautiful in Victoria (and quite a secret too). The walk around Lake Elizabeth wouldn't be as varied and scenic as the gorges walks Pongo and Ryan are suggesting though.

[ryantmalone]

Lerderderg has some great spots, water can get a bit low this time of year though.

As of last weekend, there is some water in the major swimming holes. Graham's Dam was particularly good. River is dry though.