Lake Tali Karng facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tali Karng |
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Tali Karng
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 Lake Tali Karng
Location in Victoria
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| Location | Alpine region, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°32′35″S 146°47′47″E / 37.54306°S 146.79639°E |
| Primary inflows |
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| Primary outflows | underground to Wellington River |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 14 ha (35 acres) |
| Max. depth | 51 m (167 ft) |
Lake Tali Karng is a special natural lake found high up in the Victorian Alps in eastern Australia. It's pretty big, covering about 14 hectares (that's like 14 football fields!), and it's super deep, going down 51 meters. This makes it the only really deep lake in all of Victoria.
What makes Lake Tali Karng unique is how it was formed. About 1,500 years ago, a huge landslide happened. Rocks and dirt fell from a mountain called the Sentinel, which is 700 meters above the valley. This landslide blocked the Wellington River, creating a natural dam. The area where the landslide happened is now known as the Valley of Destruction.
Unlike many other mountain lakes, Lake Tali Karng wasn't made by glaciers (huge sheets of ice) or volcanoes. It's the only permanent, deep lake in Australia's highlands that formed this way. The lake doesn't have a river flowing out of it. Instead, its water slowly seeps away underground through the Valley of Destruction.
Two creeks, Snowden Creek and Nigothoruk Creek, feed water into the lake. Nigothoruk Creek even has three waterfalls, which are called the Snowden Falls. The water in the lake is a little bit acidic, so you won't find any plants growing in it. Because it's fed by melting snow and doesn't get much sunlight, the water stays cold all year round.
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Traditional Owners of Lake Tali Karng
Lake Tali Karng is a very important and sacred place for the Gunaikurnai people, who are the traditional owners of this land. According to their ancient laws, only certain Aboriginal people who have gone through special ceremonies are allowed to visit the lake.
Young Kurnai people visit the lake with their elders as part of their initiation, which is a special journey to learn about their culture and traditions. They walk to the lake from downstream and then leave upstream, traveling across the Wellington high plains. This journey connects them to other important places and can take at least four days.
The Gunaikurnai people are happy for non-Indigenous visitors to come to Tali Karng, as long as everyone treats the area with respect. They ask visitors not to camp right at the lake. Instead, they suggest camping either above the lake on the southern end of the Wellington Plains or below the lake in the Valley of Destruction, along the Wellington River.
Fun Activities at Lake Tali Karng
Lake Tali Karng is a great spot for outdoor adventures, especially if you love hiking and camping in nature.
Camping Near the Lake
While camping right at the lake is now discouraged to protect the area, there are still good places to set up your tent nearby.
- The most popular camping spot used to be at the western end of the lake, where there are big grassy areas.
- You can also camp at the eastern end, but it's harder to get to.
- If you get water from the lake, you must boil it before drinking. Water from the side creeks is usually safe to drink.
- Fires are not allowed near the lake, so make sure you bring a fuel stove for cooking.
Now, it's recommended to camp at Nyimba campsite. This spot has basic facilities and is located near the old Riggall Hut at the southern end of the Wellington Plains. Campfires are allowed here, and you can usually find water from a nearby creek. There are also informal camping spots along the Wellington River below the lake. You don't need a permit to camp in these areas.
The area can get busy during holidays like Easter and Melbourne Cup Weekend. But because it's not easy to reach by car, it often feels peaceful compared to other busy spots in the Alps.
How to Get to Lake Tali Karng
Getting to Lake Tali Karng is a bit of an adventure! It's not easy to reach, and you'll need to be ready for a good hike.
- The quickest way is from MacFarlanes Saddle, following the Wellington Plains track. This is a tough five-hour walk.
- You'll have to go down about 800 meters, either using the Gillios Track or the Riggalls Spur track.
- The Riggalls Spur track offers the only view of the lake from a spot called Echo Point, but it can be a bit overgrown.
- Another way to get there is a 15-kilometer walk up the Wellington River. This route involves crossing the river about 15 times, which can be risky if the river is high.
- The final part of this path, through the Valley of Destruction, can be tricky because you have to walk over small boulders. Camping here is hard, with space only for small tents.
- You can also approach the lake via Mount Margaret, which starts near Licola.
In December 2006, bushfires burned much of the surrounding forest. However, by January 2008, new plants were growing back well. Trees along the Wellington Plains track didn't grow back as quickly because the area is very open, so there isn't much shade on that part of the walk. All the paths to the lake are now open.
Other Cool Places Nearby
While the lake is the main attraction, the high plains around it are also worth exploring.
- Mount Spion Kopje: This mountain is about 3.7 kilometers northeast of the lake. It's one of the higher mountains nearby and offers amazing views over a large area called Gippsland from its rocky top.
- Wellington Plains: These plains offer wide-open views that stretch far into the distance.
- Mount Wellington: Another great spot for expansive views of the area.
