Lake Dartmouth offers a variety of water sports as well as recreation facilities. It is a favourite spot for fishing, especially trout
Macquarie perch (Maccas) are present, but can’t be caught or targeted by recreational fishers from any waterway in Victoria, giving wild populations the best chance to re-establish.
Inadvertently caught Maccas must be returned to the water quickly and safely.
For more information on the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s efforts to recover Macquarie perch, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority’s website
Camping (with limited facilities) is permitted in designated areas around the Lake. The track from Sassafras Gap to the Eustace Creek camping area can be accessed by car, although a four wheel drive is recommended in wet conditions. The two other camping grounds can only be reached by boat.
There are good boat launching facilities but, while motor boats can be used, water skiing and house boating is not permitted. Boats are required to keep at least 700 metres away from the dam wall. Work is being done to extend temporary boat launching facilities to enable continued boat access at low lake levels.
For details of Parks Victoria camping facilities in the Lake Dartmouth area, go to the Parks Victoria Website
Dartmouth Dam Information Centre
The Dartmouth Dam Information Centre is next to GMW’s Dartmouth office on the corner of Horsfall and Dartmouth Rds, about 5km from the dam itself.
The information centre provides a general overview of construction, operations and maintenance of the dam, including:
- photos
- 3D model of the dam
- key facts and benefits
- historical displays
- construction videos.
The centre is open seven days a week, generally from 7.30am to 4pm.