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Lake Eacham
(Yidyam)
Photo: Courtesy of Hugh Scott
Lake Eacham:
- Lake Eacham is an extinct volcanic crater lake filled with cool, clean, crystal
clear water, surrounded by 1200acres of protected lush tropical highland rainforest. The lake is
65.5 metres (215 ft) deep with a pontoon and children's pool available,
offering excellent swimming conditions, however no motor boats are allowed.
- It has a surface area of 64 hectares.
- A large picnic area with plenty of covered wood and electric BBQ sites makes the
lake front
ideal for family outings.
- The most striking aspect of this particular crater lake is the peace and
serenity that accompany all it offers you. It is truly a magnificent and worthwhile
experience.
Geological History:
- Massive blocks of earth and rock were thrown up as a phreatic
volcanic explosion
to create this maar. Molten rock came into contact
with cool groundwater, creating great amounts of steam. This caused a build-up
of pressure which then exploded out of the ground, creating a crater.
- Over time it filled with water from
precipitation and runoff and also natural springs, to form the lake.
- This occurred approximately 13,000 years ago.
Cultural Significance:
- Early Indigenous peoples of the area relied on the
crater lakes and surrounding landscape for food and water
- They also have spiritual and ceremonial importance
- Indigenous occupation of the area is believed to date
back to 20,000 years ago, before the crater lakes were even formed
General Information:
- The lake is sixty
metres deep with a pontoon and children's pool available, offering excellent swimming
conditions.
- A large picnic area with plenty of covered wood and electric BBQ sites makes the lake
front ideal for family outings.
- There is an excellent four kilometre rainforest walking track around the lake's edge.
- A 700 metre self guided rainforest walking track leading from the
National Parks
Headquarters on Mcleish Road to the lake itself.
- A one kilometre rainforest track to the Eacham Waterfalls offers exceptional
photographic opportunities.
- For those who are not able to experience the walking tracks, there is a beautiful
rainforest drive that will take you through the World Heritage rainforest that surrounds
Lake Eacham.
- The National Parks and Wildlife Office for the Crater Lakes National Park is situated
at the rainforest edge on McLeish road.
- The National Parks office includes an information
centre which caters for people interested in learning more about the crater lake history,
rainforest ecology, birds and animals of the area.
Climate:
Rainfall:
- Approximately 1500mm annually.
- The wet season is between December and March.
- March is usually the wettest month and August/September is
the driest.
Temperature:
- Average of 25oc, usually between 20oc
and 30oc, but can drop to 10oc - 12oc.
- The light and wind is filtered by the Rainforest Canopy resulting in cool, moist conditions.
Walking Trails
Perimeter Walk:
- There is an excellent 3km rainforest walking
track around the lake's edge.
- The path is well constructed with a bitumen
surface.
Additional
Walks:
Lake Eacham Rainbow Fish Story.
Lake
Eacham water front photos
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