Lake Elizabeth

Lake Elizabeth is a forested lake in the East Barwon valley near Forrest. Standing dead trees rise from the water along a fern-lined shore, and the short walk in makes it more than a quick look from the car. Keep it for a quiet, unusual inland stop; the chance of seeing a platypus is a bonus, not a promise.

Use Lake Elizabeth Day Visitor Area as your driving destination; the lake itself lies farther east. The direct walk is about 1 km each way, roughly 2 km and an hour return. Expect a steep section and uneven ground, and allow more time after rain when parts can be muddy.

A resident platypus colony lives here, and the best chance of seeing one is around dawn or dusk, when they forage in shallow water. They are shy, so pause quietly and watch the water rather than expecting a guaranteed sighting. The forest around Forrest is also known for birdwatching, with Striated Fieldwrens, Rufous Bristlebirds and Pink Robins among the local possibilities.

In 1952, a landslide blocked the East Barwon River and water flooded the valley. The trunks left standing in the lake are trees that were drowned as the landscape changed. It is a striking place to see how a landslide can reshape a river valley.

If the walk to the lake leaves you wanting more, continue on the Lake Elizabeth Loop Walk through fern-draped banks and tall forest. The loop has steps and uneven ground, so it is the more demanding choice. Dogs are allowed on a lead at the day visitor area and on the Lake Elizabeth Walk, but not on the Loop Walk.

The day visitor area sits on the East Barwon River and works well for a picnic before or after the walk. Forrest is nearby for supplies, so plan to eat there or bring what you need rather than counting on a meal at the lake.

For a photo, frame the upright dead trees against the enclosing forest, with water across the foreground. If the lake is still, reflections help show how the drowned valley is held between the wooded banks.