Lake Eildon
515 kilometres of shoreline, endless possibilities
About Lake Eildon
Lake Eildon is one of Victoria's largest water storage reservoirs and a premier recreational destination located in the foothills of Victoria's High Country, approximately 140 kilometres northeast of Melbourne.
The lake and surrounding region offers world-class fishing, water sports, camping, bushwalking, and serves as a gateway to Victoria's alpine regions.
Safe for swimming: The lake has no sharks, crocodiles, or jellyfish. A 5-knot speed limit applies within 50 metres of the shore, other vessels, or swimmers.
History of the Dam
The Naming
The name 'Eildon' was given to the area in 1846 by Mrs Thom, wife of Archibald Thom, a Scottish-born squatter. The name comes from the Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders near Melrose, Scotland.
Original Sugarloaf Reservoir (1915-1929)
The first dam at this location was the Sugarloaf Reservoir, constructed between 1915 and 1929. This original structure had a capacity of only about 306,000 megalitres—approximately 10% of the current dam's capacity.
The Lost Town of Darlingford
Before Lake Eildon existed in its current form, the township of Darlingford stood in what is now the lake bed. Established during the gold rush era of the 1860s, Darlingford at its peak had seven hotels serving the mining community. The town was completely flooded when the enlarged dam was completed in 1956. During periods of extreme drought, remnants of the old township occasionally become visible.
Current Eildon Dam (1951-1956)
Construction of the current dam began in 1951 and was completed in 1956 by Utah Construction Company. At peak construction, approximately 4,000 workers were employed. A temporary township was established with 300 permanent houses pre-fabricated in England and shipped to Australia. These houses were built in 14 different architectural styles, and many still stand in Eildon today.
Notable Water Level Events
- Millennium Drought (2006-2007): Lake dropped to just 5.3% capacity
- October 2022: Reached 100.3% capacity—first time full since 1994
Eildon Pondage
The Eildon Pondage is a smaller body of water located immediately downstream of the main dam wall. It serves as a regulating storage to manage water releases from the main reservoir.
The pondage is a popular fishing location, particularly for trout. In 2019, 7 tonnes of trophy-sized rainbow trout were stocked—approximately 2,000 fish averaging 4 kilograms each. The pondage offers excellent shore-based fishing access and is popular with families.
Learn more about fishing →