Our Venue
Lake Wendouree has been host to several international rowing competitions, including the 1956 Summer Olympics. We have been the home of rowing in the town since 1873 and used as a training ground for the Australian rowing team in the lead up to the 1956 Olympics. The 2000m rowing course, dredged to 2.1m in depth, supports distance rowing and is ideal for rowing camps and competitions.
Ballarat has a strong local rowing fraternity with clubs and schools keeping the city’s proud rowing tradition alive. It may also be interesting to note that Ballarat has the highest rowing demographic per capita in Australia.
New permanent water sources ensure Lake Wendouree will continue to be a world-class rowing course, with water levels carefully managed and maintained at primary quality. Spectators enjoy spectacular views from four foreshore extensions, with excellent vantage points of the last 150 m of the course and the finish line.
Regatta information
Important information
Training information
Lake Wendouree training map
Traffic flow and rules
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a 20m break in buoy line at approximately 250m and 1750m (established paddle boat crossing) as indicated by yellow channel markers are the ONLY official course crossing zones for crews wanting to row the circular pattern (distance training)
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CREWS USING THE CIRCULAR TRAINING PATTERN MUST GIVE WAY AT CROSSING POINTS TO CREWS ROWING ON THE BUOYED COURSE ONE DIRECTION 2000m START - FINISH
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crews and coaches must be 50m from the shore at all times – this is particularly important in areas where land based fishing may occur
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crews are not permitted to sit at the finish line – they must move to the launching pontoon bay immediately after completing the rowing course or return to the start as indicated
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different rules operate on the lake on regatta days – rowers need to be aware of these rules prior to competing in regattas, or rowing on regatta days. On other days the lake may be closed for fishing competitions or yachting regattas. For more information, click here.