Where did I stay when visiting Lake Esmond for a swim? How did I travel to this former quarry in the suburb of Canadian in Ballarat?
Above: Swimming in Lake Esmond(Order this image)
A heads up: If you book anything using the links in this article, I may receive a commission. This happens at no extra cost to you, but really
helps me recover costs to maintain this website for swimmers. See my affiliate links policy for more.
Accommodation close to Lake Esmond:
Powered camping sites, caravan sites and a range of cabin accommodation are available at the NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park. This holiday park backs directly onto Larter St, which runs along the western shore of
Lake Esmond. There is no gate or gap in the fence, so you still have to walk a few hundred metres to reach the lake, departing from the main entrance to the holiday park on Clayton St. The holiday park has a
12 metre long heated swimming pool for guests, and an 18 person villa with lots of bunk beds suitable for large groups. You can book these directly via the
holiday park website, with the possibility of cheaper cabin accommodation via a
reseller.
Above: The entrance to the NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park(Order this image)
If you are looking for private accommodation, an option that is less than a 100 metre stroll from the western end of the lake is the aptly named
Lake Esmond Place
in Brogden Court. Lake Esmond Place is a well appointed home with indoor and outdoor seating for relaxing in after your swim. Slightly further away, at 350 metres from the lake, are the
Sovereign Views Apartments.
Sovereign Views Apartments includes studios, two bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom apartments that
primarily cater for visitors to Sovereign Hill across the road from these apartments. The Sovereign Views Apartments also has a pool (7 metres long) for guests.
Above: 19th century gold mining accommodation at Sovereign Hill, only 600 metres from Lake Esmond(Order this image)
Accomodation in the closest major town (Ballarat city centre):
Lake Esmond is around 3 km south east of the Ballarat city centre. Central Ballarat has some majestic 19th century hotels that emerged during the gold rush. Here are two such
hotels:
Craig's Royal Hotel,
(originally known as the Ballarat Hotel), was opened in 1853 and the
George Hotel
was licensed a few months later also in 1853, with the current building on the site constructed half a century later in 1902.
Above: Craigs Royal Hotel in the Ballarat City Centre(Order this image)
Where I stayed
I have stayed at a few different places in Ballarat when visiting the city. These include the
Victoriana Motor Inn and the
Begiona City Motor Inn, both of which are fairly basic but clean, reliable and relatively affordable
accommodation options. I have also visited Ballarat on a day trip from Melbourne many times.
More information about Lake Esmond:
If you have arrived at this accommodation web page directly, you can find out more about swimming in Lake Esmond in my guide to Lake Esmond. I hope
you enjoy your stay here.
