Deep within the Bellarine Peninsula sits a hidden gem. It is a freshwater lake called Lake Lorne.
Lake Lorne is a small lake. It spans only 12 hectares. That’s about 30 acres. It is located just southwest of Drysdale.
But this small lake holds a significant place in Victoria’s natural landscape. Let me tell you more about Lake Lorne.
Lake Lorne lies in a depression of limestone. It has no surface outlet. The water levels here change a lot. Rainfall greatly affects it. McLeods Waterholes nearby are actually part of the same water system.
Right in the middle of Lake Lorne are three little islands. These are covered in plants. You’ll find willows, eucalypts, paperbarks, and pittosporums.
Around the lake, there’s a lot of parkland. It’s a beautiful area for a walk. The Drysdale railway station is also close. This makes it easy to visit Lake Lorne.
But Lake Lorne isn’t just a pretty place. It’s a haven for birds. Many waterbirds live and breed here. Birdwatchers love coming to Lake Lorne. They come to see the variety of species.
The lake is especially important for two kinds of ducks. These are the freckled and blue-billed ducks. Sadly, they are threatened in Victoria. Lake Lorne provides a safe home for them.
Many other waterbirds, waders, and rails nest here. Black swans raise their young. Hardheads and musk ducks paddle in the water. Australasian and hoary-headed grebes dive for fish. Deters, little pied cormorants and little black cormorants can be found here, too. Dusky moorhens and purple swamphens search for food. Eurasian coots swim among the reeds. Black-fronted dotterels scurry along the shore.
Hundreds of cormorants and ibises use Lake Lorne as a roosting site. As the sun sets, they gather here. They create an amazing spectacle.
Lake Lorne’s story goes back further than European settlement. The Gadubanud people lived in this area for thousands of years. They made bark canoes to use on the rivers and lakes. The Gadubanud people had a varied diet from turban shells to abalone, periwinkle, elephant fish, chiton, beaked mussel and limpets. They also ate seals and ducks.
In 1841, Captain Louttit sheltered in a bay near here. His schooner, Will Watch, was caught in a storm. Later, the bay was named Louttit Bay.
Lake Lorne offers a peaceful escape. It’s a place to connect with nature. You can watch the birds. You can enjoy the scenery. Take a moment to appreciate this special place. Lake Lorne is a reminder of the beauty and importance of our natural world.