Outdoor adventures nearby

Bendigo residents packed cars for day trips on Saturday as the first clear weekend after weeks of rain drew crowds to the O'Keefe Rail Trail and Lake Weeroona foreshore.

July marks the start of school holidays across Victoria, and families seek low-cost outdoor options close to home rather than long drives to the coast. The timing aligns with drier conditions forecast through the middle of the month, prompting local tourism operators to promote short-haul adventures within 30 minutes of the city centre.

The O'Keefe Rail Trail runs 11 kilometres from Bendigo station through Axedale, while Lake Weeroona offers 3.5 kilometres of sealed path around the water with direct access from View Street. Both sites sit inside the City of Greater Bendigo boundaries and connect to public transport stops on the Bendigo Tram route.

Trail and water options

Greater Bendigo National Park recorded 187,000 visits in the 2025 calendar year, according to Parks Victoria figures released in April. Entry remains free, though guided walks through the Whipstick section now cost $18 per adult on weekends. Local bike hire at the Rosalind Park depot charges $25 for a full day, with helmets and maps included.

Operators at Lake Eppalock, 25 minutes south on the Calder Highway, report steady kayak bookings at $45 for two hours. The lake's northern boat ramp stays open year-round, and rangers advise checking water levels on the Goulburn-Murray Water website before travel.

Planning ahead

Check the daily weather bulletin from the Bureau of Meteorology for Bendigo before leaving, and carry at least two litres of water on longer walks. Book bike and kayak equipment through the Bendigo Visitor Information Centre on Lyttleton Terrace by 4pm the day prior to avoid weekend sell-outs.