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Pykes Creek Reservoir
Swimming Hole Heaven in Melbourne

Swimmer's Cove is the designated swimming area at Pykes Creek Reservoir and is located on the southern edge of the main lawn area, just past the toilet block. It is a sheltered cove with a clean and gently sloping gravel entry. Swimming at Pykes Creek Reservoir Above: Swimmer's Cove at Pykes Creek Reservoir (Order this image)

There are a few submerged logs that can be difficult to see in the murky water, so you need to venture out from the shore carefully until you reach deeper water. There is no waterskiing or boating allowed in the cove, so you should be protected from water craft if you stay in the cove.

Pykes Creek Reservoir has experienced regular algal blooms in the warmer months of the year, so make sure you heed the warning signs and don't swim if the managing authority has a blue-green algae warning in place.
Poor water quality is no surprise when you see the bald, bright green (and sometimes dry brown) hills surrounding the lake that are bound to be a source of nutrients for algae to bloom. Swimming at Pykes Creek Reservoir Above: The island in Pykes Creek Reservoir (Order this image)

With its extensive lawn area and large shady trees, Pykes Creek Reservoir is a good picnic option if you live in the western suburbs of Melbourne. However, this swimming hole did not make it into my top 50 in Victoria. The main reason being the poor water quality and low visibility of underwater hazards. My favourite swimming hole west of Melbourne is only a short distance away, so if you want an amazing swim in pristine bushland near Pykes Creek Reservoir, grab yourself a copy of the guide to Freshwater Swimming Holes in Victoria.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: Pykes Creek Rd, Myrniong, 75 km (approx. 1 hr drive) north west of the Melbourne CBD
Latitude:-37.606963 Longitude:144.303588
Getting there: Exit north off the Western Fwy (M8) at Greendale-Myrniong Rd and turn left into Pykes Creek Rd immediately after exiting.
Facilities: Public toilets, picnic tables, lawns, boat ramp, car park, bbqs, no rubbish bins

Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Cloudy
Under foot: Pebbles, sand
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No fires, no camping, no littering, no trail bikes, no horses, no firearms, dogs on leads ok
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: None
Managing authority: Southern Rural Water
Nearby attractions: Lerderderg Gorge
Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of swimmer's cove. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map

Comments:

Here was one query about the water quality in Pykes Creek Reservoir:

Comment:"Hi, I'm tring to find a place to learn how to water ski close to home. I hear Pykes Creek isn't safe for high levels of algae, however can't find any definite reports, is it true please?" - Annalise N from Melbourne, Australia 26/2/2022.

My reply: Pykes Creek Reservoir can suffer from blue green algae outbreaks in summer. The good news is that Southern Rural Water (SRW), who manages the lake, actively monitors and reports on blue green algae in the reservoir. If you want to check whether Pykes Creek Reservoir has any blue green algae warnings before you go, all of SRW's algae warnings are listed on the SRW website.

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