Wheelchair Access on Rivers and Lakes in Victoria
by Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith is a www.fishnet.com.au Pro Angler and has been fishing extensively throughout Victoria for the last 20 years. He is a respected author and photo journalist with articles appearing in many magazines and he also provides regular reports to radio stations like 3AW, ABC and 3SER.

Below are a list of areas Bruce has advised us where you can access relatively flat entrances to reservoirs and rivers. Bruce will be making a point of checking out every river and lake that he visits in the future (Which will be a lot) so we can add to the list.

We haven't had the chance to check these spots out, however if anyone does please let us know how you went. Also, if you know of any other spots that are accessible please let us know so that we can add them to the list, thanks.

The Goulburn River- Mac Martins Lane

Driving down this gravel road will lead to an area where you can park your car and wheelchair 10 to twenty feet to a gate that’s situated over a cattle grid. You’ll have a nice area to fish with room for a good number of fishermen.

Rubicon River

There is excellent access at a place called Tumbling Waters; this reserve is set on the banks of the river. It’s located at the first bridge crossing from the Thornton Township.

Another location can be found by traveling to Alexandra from Thornton and around one km from the town you’ll see a public road where a house with tennis courts is situated at the front. (Forgotten the name of the road). Travel down this road to the river and turn right along the dirt track for 50 feet and there is a good section of river to fish.

King Parrot Creek

Within the lower reaches of the river about a km before where the King Parrot creek joins the Goulburn there is a nice secluded spot with a small area to fish. (About 3 anglers).

This location can be found by traveling towards Yea on the Goulburn Valley Highway . Just after traveling past Tralwool the first bridge you come to crosses the King parrot, just after crossing the bridge you turn left on to a gravel road which will lead you to the river, with the small fishing area just under the bridge.

Newlyn’s Reservoir Ballarat

On this lake there are many sections on the lake to fish, firstly there’s the northern shoreline accessed from the main road. Here you can wheelchair from the edge at a full level and if at a low level easily wheelchair down to the water. The eastern shoreline has only one location but again you can park your car and wheelchair down to the waters edge.

Hepburn Lagoon Ballarat

This Lake has two access points, one at the southern or dairy farm end where you drive through two gates and wheelchair through one gate and down to the dam wall. This is a steep slope to the dam wall. The second access point is gained by driving through 3 gates along a public road that looks like it private property, however this isn’t the case. Here you can fish along the northern shoreline.

Carin Curran Reservoir (Newstead and Barinyup)

This is a big lake and provides many access points, at the present moment the lake is low and there are some areas where it’s a bit rocky and in a wheelchair maybe a bit bumpy. However there are many flat sandy areas, which should be o.k.

Dam Wall and Yacht Club
The dam wall area is a good access point, as well as the Yacht Club area and its adjacent bay.

Bryant’s Bay
There is also Bryant’s Bay where you can drive along a gravel road adjacent to the retaining wall, right up to the waters edge.

Trelour’s Bay
Then there’s Trelour’s Bay where you can drive along a sandy road right to the bay and fish at the waters edge.

Picnic Point
This has limited access with just one small section to fish.

Tallaroop Reservoir

This lake has a lot of good access points around the northern shoreline near the dam wall. (Presently I think there are more but I’ll have to check this out)

Malmsbury Reservoir

This Lake also has good access at one section of the southern end at Portwine Road providing access through a gravel road that leads right up to the waters edge, especially easy when there is a high water level.

Lauriston Reservoir

There is a road on the western side of the lake that leads right up to the waters edge with a nice area to fish.

Coliban Reservoir

The main road that leads to the lake ends at a section where you can easily fish.

Loddon River access improved for all

A new all-access pier has been constructed at Bridgewater on the Loddon River. A walking track leading to the pier and the pier itself has been built to provide access to fishing in a safe and serene environment for all members of the community regardless of age or physical ability.

The pier is located at a popular fishing spot, which prior to the construction of the pier, had been inaccessible to people with disabilities. The pier is on the Loddon River west of Eldon Street.