5 Best Lakeside Towns in South Australia

Lakeside towns are somewhat rare in South Australia, considering most towns sit on the sea or along a river. However, places like Meningie and Williamstown offer access to lakes and reservoirs where people can kayak, fish, or birdwatch along the shore. Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert are the Murray's Lower Lakes, listed under the Ramsar Convention since 1985 as internationally important wetland habitats. Others come with rules attached, since the Blue Lake fills a volcanic crater and supplies Mount Gambier's drinking water, which puts swimming and boating off-limits there. SA's lakeside towns also offer great walking trails and boardwalks, as well as cycle paths for those who like to stay active.

Barmera

Barmera is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Adelaide and sits on the shores of the gorgeous Lake Bonney. Those looking for adventure head this way on weekends and vacations to canoe, fish, waterski, and windsurf. The lake features safe swimming areas as well as foreshore parks. Anglers who visit in late February or early March can join the SA Carp Frenzy, the state's biggest carp fishing competition. Lake Bonney is also famous as the water where Donald Campbell chased the world water speed record in 1964. He set an Australian record of 216 mph here that November, then moved his campaign to Western Australia for the world mark. Other things to do in Barmera include seeing the art deco Bonney Theatre, built in 1938, and the adjoining Soldiers Memorial Hall. Visitors can enjoy great meals at Le Bonney on Barwell Avenue or the Bluebird Cafe on the lake foreshore, and book accommodation at Barmera Lakeside Resort Motel, which offers pool access. Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney also features a pool and space for caravans.

Mount Gambier

Once visitors see the incredibly beautiful waters of the Blue Lake, they tend to linger a bit to explore. The lake is Mount Gambier's main attraction, particularly because the water sits steel grey through winter and turns vivid blue between November and March. The lake fills a dormant volcanic crater, and the surrounding area features a 3.6-kilometre (2.2-mile) road plus a walking track. After experiencing the Blue Lake, visitors can head to the center of Mount Gambier to see the Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul. Also known as 'the sunken garden', the sinkhole features hanging vines, flowers, and plants. The center of town is also home to the Cave Garden/Thugi, a limestone sinkhole with a staircase down to a viewing platform and a waterfall that runs after heavy rain. There is more water to explore just fifteen minutes away from Mount Gambier. The Kilsby Sinkhole is a major draw for snorkelers and divers who want to experience the clear-water 'abyss,' though it sits on a working farm and visits run by pre-booked tour only. Back in town, visitors can catch a new release at the Oatmill Cinema before retiring to one of the comfortable rooms at The Commodore.

Meningie

Visitors heading to Meningie on the edge of Lake Albert (Yarli) can enjoy lake views day and night, thanks to the Lake Albert Caravan Park, which sits in full view of the water. Those without caravans can book accommodation at Dalton on the Lake, where the lake views are just as good. The lake is open to kayakers, paddleboarders, and windsurfers. People who want to fish often make their way along the shoreline to find the perfect spot for catching Coorong mullet and mulloway. A stroll along the shore will also take visitors past the ostrich statue that honours the legend of John Francis Peggotty, the "Birdman of the Coorong," who is said to have robbed travellers from the back of an ostrich in the 1890s. Birdwatchers can settle in at the Bird's Eye View birdhide on North Terrace, or at the Bird Information Park out on Narrung Road. The Meningie Cheese Factory Museum brings a bit of variety, with its collection of old dairy and farm machinery, before taking a scenic drive around the lake towards the historic Ngarrindjeri community of Raukkan.

Milang

Milang sits on Lake Alexandrina, and it is the starting line for the Milang to Goolwa Freshwater Classic, which holds the record for the largest freshwater yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere after 584 boats made the start in 1986. The 50-kilometre (31-mile) course runs across the lake and down the Murray to Goolwa, these days over a long weekend in March. Apart from watching the race, visitors can also enjoy sailing, fishing, and windsurfing. Plus, there is lots of birdwatching to do on the shores. Next to the lake lies the Foreshore Reserve, where families love to hang out and have a barbecue or a picnic. There is also a boat ramp, which is handy for lake trips. Those looking for something different to do need not look very far. The Port Milang Historic Railway Museum also sits on the lake and is open on weekends in the afternoons, with free entry. The museum features model trains and locomotive simulators, as well as free train rides. Visitors who want to explore Milang over a weekend or longer can book a stay at The Shore Motel, a short walk from the foreshore, then eat at the Milang Pier Hotel, the pub on Daranda Terrace overlooking the lake.

Williamstown

Williamstown is located next to the Barossa vines and the Adelaide Hills and lies five minutes away from the Warren Reservoir Reserve. The reserve is great for paddling and kayaking, and the shores are ideal for a lazy picnic. Those who want to fish can use the public access area or fish from their canoe or kayak if they have a fishing permit. Visitors who bring their bicycles can cycle the 8.8-kilometre (5.5-mile) River Loop, which stretches through Mount Crawford Forest. The 5.7-kilometre (3.5-mile) Dam Wall Loop offers fantastic views of the dam wall, though it climbs steeply enough to suit experienced walkers and riders. The Para Wirra Conservation Park is thirteen minutes away from downtown Williamstown, where visitors can observe kangaroos and bearded dragons in their natural habitat. In the town itself, timber milling shaped the early years and a small family sawmill still works today, while the Williamstown Hotel anchors a main street of historic buildings. For accommodation, there is the Williamstown Bed and Breakfast and the Linfield Cottage, a cozy B&B with fantastic views.

Head to South Australia's Lakeside Towns On Your Next Break

SA's lakeside towns offer a refreshing break from the usual coastal drives and destinations that can become overcrowded. These towns give you the chance to experience volcanic sinkholes and windy waters while exploring the natural scenery. Whether you are planning a kayaking weekend or just want to watch the birds, each of these towns has something great to offer.