Blue Lake, Plenty Gorge

Swimming Hole Heaven in Melbourne

An impressive quarry wall overlooks a largely unappealing bush swim in water typically more green than blue. I know it is lauded as a popular swimming hole, but I would only swim here as a last resort in the cooler months of the year, when the suspended algae is not as prevalent in the water. Above: Overlooking the green Blue Lake at Plenty Gorge from the clifftop (Order this image)

If you decide you would like to swim here, there is a little peninsula at the southern end of the lake that provides the easiest entry into the water, and a place to set down your gear. This swim has the advantage of being largely protected from the wind by the quarry wall and that it is surrounded by bush. Inflatables would be useful, because the water becomes deep fairly quickly away from the shore. The disadvantages are however the long steep walk down the hill from the nearest car park (which can leave you puffing on the way back up on hot days), and the combination of poor visibility and poor water quality in the water. The lake has no substantial local catchment, so the water tends to stagnate. The more the water warms up in summer, the greener it becomes, and the more that algae accumulates around the shore. Above: Blue Lake from the southern end of the lake (Order this image)

The northern end of the lake offers an alternative entry point to the water, with steps down to a little cleared area set back slightly from the shore. There were however more underwater hazards here, with boulders and a fallen submerged tree that are difficult to detect before you brush into them in the water. Similar to the southern end, this spot also had significant mats of algae along parts of the shoreline. Above: The northern end of Blue Lake (Order this image)

A visit to Blue Lake is not all bad. The walk through the bush is reinvigorating for anyone escaping the surrounding urban sprawl, as is the view of the quarry wall and the various views of the lake. On my visits here, there were plenty (no pun intended) of people out enjoying the walk on what is a wide, gravel track that allows you to walk side by side and have a chat with your walking companions. I have seen friends and family groups on social outings together, as well as solitary walkers finding some time for quiet reflection.

Here is a video of my swim at Blue Lake in early summer after a relatively cool spring, so the algal growth at that time was arguably not as prolific as it would be in mid to late summer. The video gives you some further insights into the good and not-so-good features of this swim, including getting into the water.



This swimming hole did not make it into my top 50 in Victoria for the reasons outlined above. Whilst I do not like being negative about swims that others seem to enjoy, I am not recommending you swim here. Parks Victoria concurs with multiple signs on site that swimming is not advised. If you want to swim in the outdoors around Melbourne, why not try some of my other swims which did make it into the top 50 of my guide to Freshwater Swimming Holes in Victoria. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority states that swimming is not advised and that there are submerged objects, submerged rocks, deep water, cold water, no lifesaving service, and cliff edges. The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park at the Yellow Gum recreation area. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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