Valley Lake (South Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley Lake |
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Panorama of the Valley Lake in 2016
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 Valley Lake
Location in South Australia
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| Location | Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°50′25″S 140°46′1″E / 37.84028°S 140.76694°E |
| Type | Monomictic Volcanic crater lake |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 26 ha (64 acres) |
| Islands | None |
| Settlements | None |
The Valley Lake is a cool volcanic crater lake found in South Australia. It's located just south of Mount Gambier, close to the famous Blue Lake.
This lake is known as a monomictic lake. This means its waters mix completely from top to bottom only once a year. The Valley Lake is surrounded by a fun park area on Davidson Drive. Here, you can find a playground for kids, sports areas, BBQs, and toilets. There's also a special nature park nearby and the Centenary Tower at the top of the old volcano crater.
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History of Valley Lake
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The Valley Lake was first discovered in 1839 by Stephen Henty. He came from Portland and saw that both the Valley Lake and the Blue Lake could be great sources of water for people who wanted to settle in the area.
Centenary Tower's Story
The Centenary Tower is a special landmark. Its first stone was placed on December 3, 1900. This was to celebrate 100 years since Mount Gambier was first seen and named. The tower officially opened in 1904.
The tower stands 190 meters (about 623 feet) above sea level. When it's open, a flag flies high above it. At night, the tower lights up, making it a beautiful sight from the city below.
Royal Visit to the Lake
On February 26, 1954, something very exciting happened at Valley Lake. Queen Elizabeth II visited the lake as part of her tour of Australia! A special plaque was placed at the Valley Lake Lookout in 1977 to remember this important visit.
Valley Lake Conservation Park
The Valley Lake area also includes the Valley Lake Conservation Park. This park is a protected home for many native plants and animals. It's a great place to explore!
The park has amazing lookouts where you can see beautiful views. There's also a lovely boardwalk and several nature walks you can enjoy. The best part? Entry to the Conservation Park is completely free!
