Macedon Reservoir

Swimming Hole Heaven in Victoria

Slip out from under the pine trees into a 300 metre wide swim in this former steam engine supply reservoir on Riddells Creek in Macedon, also known as "The Res". This swimming spot is well suited to very warm days due to its extensive natural shade, both in and out of the water, from the lakeside pine plantation. Above: Macedon Reservoir from underneath the pine trees (Order this image)

Finding this swimming lake can be a little difficult for three reasons. Firstly, it is not named on the online map that most people use in their GPS. Secondly, when it has been named, there are some discrepancies in what the lake is called. Heritage documents refer to it as "Middle Gully Reservoir", with Middle Gully being the original name of the township of Macedon.

One nearby accommodation provider referred to it as "Greg's Hidden Lake", whilst locals have referred to it online simply as "The Res". You can however find it named as "The Res" in the greatest streetmap ever produced: The Melways. Lastly, as Greg perceptively noticed, this lake is hidden in that it is not signposted and is not readily visible from the road. Above: The precarious climb up to the rope swing over shallow water at Middle Gully Reservoir, Macedon (Order this image)

The lake is accessible from Nursery Road, immediately west of the railway bridge, where you will find a few makeshift car spaces and a turning circle in the trees beside the road. For the best spot to swim, head across to the northern shore, either by foot along the walking trail that runs around the lake (as I did), or you can possibly try by car along the dirt roads that run through the pine plantation. It is on the northern shore that you will find a large cleared area underneath the pine trees, with direct entry to open water free of reeds. There is even a rope swing, however the climb up the tree requires good balance and bravery, and the water directly underneath the swing can be quite shallow, so it is not without its risks, particularly when water levels are lower. Visibility in the water is poor, with mud and silt under foot. Inflatables are well advised, especially since you can float in the water all day in the shade.

According to a 1994 study of cultural heritage and landscape, the lake dates from at least 1860, when it was used to provide water for the steam engines on the Echuca Railway Line that still runs behind the lake today.

There are no facilities at the lake, so you will need to bring everything with you and take it all home (including your rubbish) when you leave.

Here is a video that I took when visiting the lake when it was full, in between the v/line trains going past.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. The marker indicates the approximate location of the parking area off Nursery Road on the southern side of the lake. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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