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OT - Natimuk lake caravan park |
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14-Dec-2016 11:51:46 AM
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I'm thinking of taking my family on a trip to Arapiles at the end of December and wondered about the van park on the lake. Spoke to the guy there and he said the lake was 3/4 full. Anyone know the park — is it an OK place to stay? Is there enough water for swimming and keeping mostly non-climbing family entertained for a few days? Is it full of motor boats and water skiers?
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14-Dec-2016 2:27:26 PM
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I've only stayed at the park once but when we were there a couple of years ago the park and cabins themselves were great - clean, comfy etc. The lake was pretty empty and you had to walk across 100 yards or more of hard packed mud to get to the water. It would have needed a heap more water in it to be a tempting, or even viable, swimming option IMO. It's a good spot though.
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14-Dec-2016 3:29:11 PM
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We have stayed at the Natimuk Lake Caravan Park quite a few times over the years. In fact, we've experienced the full gamut of conditions and would say that it is only not so nice when the lake is completely dried up, and even then it is less dry and dismal than being at the crag. When the lake is full it is a great place to use as a base for climbing at the Mount. There is lots of bird life around and it's quite a lot cooler than camping at the crag, plus there is the bonus of being able to have a shower, and plenty of fresh water, powered sites if you want them - and if you don't, a neat little spot on the other side of the creek with a shelter that even has a fridge. The downside is that you are away from the crag (some see this as an upside) and have to drive in each day.
When the lake is full swimming is certainly a possibility but maybe not when it is down to the ¾ level, as I don't think the jetty would still be in the water. Depending on how long you are planning to stay, it can still be a good place to take a family, especially if they like poking around looking at birds. It's a pretty good venue to potter around on a bike too.
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14-Dec-2016 4:29:54 PM
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On 14/12/2016 Doug wrote:
>The downside is that you are away from the crag (some see this as an upside) and have to drive in each day.
>It's a pretty good venue to potter around on a bike too.
You could potter out on your bike: http://www.arapilesbiketrail.com.au/
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15-Dec-2016 4:06:51 PM
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It's a reasonable place although the managers could put themselves out a bit more by cleaning the amenities more than once a fortnight. Other than that, we've stayed there probably a total of 2 months over the years climbing and find the shower at night a big bonus. As regards the lake, it would have to be a bumper year for it to be swimmable, it's pretty manky and weedy. There is a swimming hole on the river. Some not bad walks around the area including the bike path into Natimuk or just walking around the lake. End of December will be baking hot though.
If you stay for a week, ask for the weekly rate. Sam (manager) won't offer it to you but if you ask you should get it. I can't remember how much it was but a day or two discount off paying by the day.
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16-Dec-2016 1:14:25 PM
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On 15/12/2016 Sandym wrote:
>It's a reasonable place although the managers could put themselves out
>a bit more by cleaning the amenities more than once a fortnight.
Interesting. Maybe things have changed but we found that the amenities block was cleaned every day, except perhaps for the time when Sam's wife had her hip replaced.
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16-Dec-2016 2:30:13 PM
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We stayed there a couple of nights back in October, school holidays, after being driven from the Gums campsite by people partying till 4am (another story).
Was surprised to find we were the only people in the entire campground. The only downside was the swarm of little mozzie lookalike insects. They bombarded the lights of the toilet block both nights we were there. The manager got up each morning and cleaned both bathrooms thoroughly of a billion bugs.
Beautiful spot and oh so peaceful but for the well fead bullfrogs. The lake was looking like a 3/4 tide though you'd have to wade,in the mud, out 100 metres to get in over your head.
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16-Dec-2016 2:45:30 PM
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Having walked from one side to the other when it's dry, I'm not sure you could ever get over your head whilst the water isn't lapping at the jetty.
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16-Dec-2016 6:21:32 PM
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Edenhope, 70 km west of Nati has a full lake, a swimming pool, green grass at the caravan park and is just a hop from Coonawarra, Naracoorte World Heritage caves and has plenty to entertain the non climbers in your group. One million times nicer than nati lake.
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