Mount Eccles National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Mount Eccles National Park is fascinating for its geological history. Around 20 000 years ago, near the end of volcanic activity in south-east Australia, volcanic lava spewed from the earth’s centre, leaving lava caves, canals and scoria cones, and creating Mount Eccles and other volcanoes such as South Australia’s Mount Gambier. Today the three main craters hold the 700-metre long Lake Surprise, fed by underground springs and surrounded by natural basalt walls. West of the park lies Lake Condah, made when lava flow dammed creeks and streams. The Kerup Gundidj, the area’s traditional inhabitants, constructed a system of stone weirs and canals to catch eels and fish, and they found sufficient bush tucker in the area to live permanently at Lake Condah, until the arrival of white settlers. Manna gum, blackwood and hardy bracken dominate the vegetation. There are koalas as well as gliders, eastern grey kangaroos, antechinuses and the threatened spotted-tailed quoll. Ducks, Eurasian coots and other waterbirds flock to the water. At the information centre, built from local volcanic rock, you can learn about the region’s intriguing geological landscape. Walking tracks include Crater Rim Nature Walk (1–2 hours return), which leaves from near the park entrance (pick up a leafl et and follow the signage – there is wheelchair access for part of the walk); Lake Surprise Walk (45 minutes return), which descends into the crater of the lake; Lava Canal (2–3 hours) and Natural Bridge Walk (1 hour). The lake is perfect for swimming and offers an idyllic setting for picnics. The Lake Surprise campsites have toilet and shower facilities; bookings are required during holiday periods.

Fact file

Camping

Lake Surprise

Location and access

330 km south-west of Melbourne via Hamilton Hwy; 45 km south-west of Penshurst or 45 km south of Hamilton via Macarthur then west on Mt Eccles Rd

Park Information

PV 13 1963

Size

6120 ha

Where to Stay

Hamilton 1800 807 056
Port Fairy (03) 5568 2682


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Explore Australia’s National Parks
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• Campsites

Campsites

Lake Surprise camping area

Set in serene manna gum forest not far from an equally serene crater lake, this is a delightful place to stay. Walking tracks guide you along lava canals, around the rim of a crater and down to Lake Surprise itself.... Find out more

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