Current lake culture.
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Recreational users dated back to
the beginning of the lake. It is only
in recent years that the culture
has become a major identity for
the lake.
Lake Eildon and the surround Lake Eildon national park have undergone a number of cultural shifts throughout its long and extensive history. Since the establishment of the lake in 1929 it has been relied on for its irrigation purposes to the Goulburn valley as well as having a large number of recreational users frequently visit. Over the last few decades this camping, boating and recreational culture has been a main focus and attraction for the lake and surrounding park. Lake Eildon now stands as one of the most frequently visited tourist and recreational areas within Victoria.
the beginning of the lake. It is only
in recent years that the culture
has become a major identity for
the lake.
Lake Eildon and the surround Lake Eildon national park have undergone a number of cultural shifts throughout its long and extensive history. Since the establishment of the lake in 1929 it has been relied on for its irrigation purposes to the Goulburn valley as well as having a large number of recreational users frequently visit. Over the last few decades this camping, boating and recreational culture has been a main focus and attraction for the lake and surrounding park. Lake Eildon now stands as one of the most frequently visited tourist and recreational areas within Victoria.
- Camping Culture -
Today the land is under the title of Lake Eildon National Park. In 1997 the Fraser national park and the Eildon state park were combined to form the national park that we now know.
Due to its close proximity to a number of surrounding towns (such as Bonnie Doon, Alexandra, Eildon, Mansfield, Yea and more) and only being a short two hour drive from Melbourne the lake rates among the most popular tourist resort in Victoria.
Due to the convenient location it hosts a large number of accommodation options from boutique hotels, motels, cottages, cabins, houseboats (around 800 permanent houseboats) caravan parks and eight major camp ground around the lake.
- Recreation culture -
The large holiday and camping culture around Lake Eildon is mainly driven through the recreational activities undertaken in the park and lake all year round.
Due to the enormous amount of water available to Eildon users, water based activities are a large part of the culture surrounding the area. During the hotter summer months anywhere up to 30,000 people per day take advantage of the lake by participating in boating, fishing and a number of forms of water sports.
Lake Eildon is known as one of Australia's most popular freshwater fishing destinations. Trout fishing was one of the most popular fishing activities as it is allowed 12 months of the year due to the lake not being a closed catchment.
As well as the obvious water sports and fishing at the lake the surrounding national park plays host to year round recreational activities including bushwalking, mountain biking, 4WDing, Dirt bike riding, horse riding, hunting, rock climbing and orienteering.
A number of these activities such as boating/fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and biking have been enjoyed at the lake since its beginning in 1929. With increased access to the lake, increased camping grounds and newer technology these recreational activities have become more accessible for a broader range of people. Due to the constant increases in users there has been a number of regulations and conservation efforts that have moved in along side this strong recreation presence.
Lake Eildon is known as one of Australia's most popular freshwater fishing destinations. Trout fishing was one of the most popular fishing activities as it is allowed 12 months of the year due to the lake not being a closed catchment.
As well as the obvious water sports and fishing at the lake the surrounding national park plays host to year round recreational activities including bushwalking, mountain biking, 4WDing, Dirt bike riding, horse riding, hunting, rock climbing and orienteering.
A number of these activities such as boating/fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and biking have been enjoyed at the lake since its beginning in 1929. With increased access to the lake, increased camping grounds and newer technology these recreational activities have become more accessible for a broader range of people. Due to the constant increases in users there has been a number of regulations and conservation efforts that have moved in along side this strong recreation presence.
- Conservation and Preservation -
Due to the large increase in user numbers Parks Victoria have put a number of management strategies and regulations in place to counter act these increases. The implementation of these strategies and regulations help to shape and add to the current recreational culture surrounding the lake.
Parks Victoria have monitored and regulated activities to ensure visitors experiences will be enhanced, so that significant flora and fauna and other natural/cultural features are protected where appropriate and visitor attractions and facilities are coordinated appropriately.
Following up from this a number of measures have been taken to ensure ease of access, safety and conservation occur around the edge of the lake.
Some of these include:
-Only allowing camping in designated camping areas
-Redesigning campsites to improve boat and vehicle access
-Maintaining existing facilities
-Encouraging low impact camping
-Improving and creating walking and cycling tracks
-Monitoring access to fishing sites (stabilise tracks)
And many more.
Due to the cultural shifts, past cultural attitudes and historical sites within the park the National Parks Act requires the directors to preserve and protect the natural environment as well as other significant features such as historical and cultural sites. But alongside doing this they must ensure the park is available for the public to be used for enjoyment, recreation and education. This can help ensure that the past culture and history of the area is not forgotten, but also that the current and future culture of Lake Eildon is not turned away from but embraced.
Parks Victoria have monitored and regulated activities to ensure visitors experiences will be enhanced, so that significant flora and fauna and other natural/cultural features are protected where appropriate and visitor attractions and facilities are coordinated appropriately.
Following up from this a number of measures have been taken to ensure ease of access, safety and conservation occur around the edge of the lake.
Some of these include:
-Only allowing camping in designated camping areas
-Redesigning campsites to improve boat and vehicle access
-Maintaining existing facilities
-Encouraging low impact camping
-Improving and creating walking and cycling tracks
-Monitoring access to fishing sites (stabilise tracks)
And many more.
Due to the cultural shifts, past cultural attitudes and historical sites within the park the National Parks Act requires the directors to preserve and protect the natural environment as well as other significant features such as historical and cultural sites. But alongside doing this they must ensure the park is available for the public to be used for enjoyment, recreation and education. This can help ensure that the past culture and history of the area is not forgotten, but also that the current and future culture of Lake Eildon is not turned away from but embraced.