Lake George is an endorheic lake that is located in the inland of New South Wales in Australia.

It is a great spot for researchers, nature enthusiasts, and scientists to conduct their scientific studies and research on the hydrological features of the lake. 

1. History of the Lake George

Lake George which is also known as Ngungara or Weereewa in the indigenous tribal language Ngunnawal. This word Weereewa means ‘Dirty water‘ as the lake was one of the salty lakes in New South Wales.

The water in the lake is almost saline, and many mysteries regarding the lake have been admitted. 

Before the European migrants arrived in Wales, it was said to be the colony of the Ngunnawal People, the indigenous tribal community in Australia. These people settled around the lake and had deep cultural and spiritual connections with the lake. 

The first European to visit the lake was said to be Joseph Wild on 19th August in the year 1820. Later the lake was named after King George III  by Governor Macquarie for Royal Commission. 

2. Nature Splendor of the Lake George

The lake is believed to have been formed millions of years ago due to the crust movement along a fault line. Many streams joined the Yass River, which was later drained to a crust movement along the fault line past Australia. These areas formed to become a wider and deeper lake during the Ice Age. 

It is said that the lake’s water level keeps shifting over time. These unmatched level changes made it a popular research destination. It is a popular fishing spot during high water levels at the lake. There were also wine yards spread over acres along the western banks of the lake.  

There was a famous Paleontologist named Patrick who researched the lake. He commented on the lake as a depression that turns into a lake when it gets filled. He also discovered that even if the lake seemed to have dried up. The lake now has saline water below its lake floor. It fills up when there is considerable rainfall in the region. 

3. Lake George- The Geography

Lake George, gazing up around 25 km long and 10 km wide, is a closed water fixture. It is a large water body with water rising and falling unpredictably and lays the seed of mystery in the world. 

The lake is a water body that is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. It has great historical and cultural value to the inhabitants around the lake. This place also has great scientific value to scientists and geologists. 

It has a catchment area of around 950 sq. km, and the lake itself was spread across 16% of the area. The elevated areas of the catchment area lie along the Great Dividing Range, where the elevations are up to 1100 metres. The lake bed is approximately 600 metres deeper from the elevation around the lake. 

Rowes Lagoon, northeast of the catchment, is an upland wetland fed by local precipitation and groundwater. When flooded, the lagoon becomes overgrown with reeds and sedges, providing valuable waterfowl habitat.

4. Mystery Behind the Vanishing Lake

Lake George is one of the oldest lakes in the world and is believed to have been formed millions of years ago.

It was formed by the small streams from the Great Dividing Range draining to the Yass River. As the lake has no outlet, the salts and nutrients accumulate, making the lake saline. 

The mystery of the vanishing of the lake was discovered in the early 1800s. During that time, the lake was found to be very dry, as if a lake didn’t exist over there.

After a few years, the water was found to be rising again, making tourism active around the lake. But suddenly, in the next year, the lake dried up again, destroying all the boats, jetties, and bays that were set up on the banks of the lake. 

4.1. Findings of Deckker

Again in 1971, Deckker said that he saw the lake as full as it was dry from the past 20 years. All the aquatic species were destroyed during the drought and were again found to flourish in the lake. This made him study the unpredictable changes that happened at the lake. Till now, many studies and research have been undertaken on the lake, and it remains mysterious. 

In the 21st century, the lake is currently said to be filled up, but it was dried from 2002 to 2010. The findings of Deckker say that the water in the lake stays below the lake bed and fills up when rain occurs. 

Lake George is fed only by precipitation and runoff; water can only leave the lake through evaporation. Because lakes are so shallow, the effects of each of these natural processes are more pronounced than in deeper waters.

Strong winds also tend to blow the water of the lake from one side to the other, an effect similar to storm surge, which explains the strange episodes of flooding and drying of the lake observed over several hours.

5. Things to Do Near the Lake George

Lake George is a beautiful yet mysterious lake in New South Wales. It is a perfect holiday spot for those who love to explore nature and have a peaceful outing with their family.

5.1. Cruising and Boating Through the Lake

Although the water levels in Lake George are unpredictable, the beauty never vanishes. It has a magical vantage for the cruises and boats to float across the waters of the lake when the lake is filled up.

Boating and Cruising are very popular with tourists of North South Wales lakes to travel through the scenic beauty of the lakes and enjoy the magic of the lake. 

There are many cruise operators around Lake George for taking cruises, but these people close the operation during the drought of the lake. Many yachts and pontoon boats help people experience the tropical vibe of the lake and tranquillity through the beauty of the saline water. 

5.2. Lake George Winery

Lake George Winery is a popular tourist spot near Lake George. It is a winery that is situated 8.5 km from the lake and is renowned for producing tasty and exquisite wines. It has captivated wine lovers from all over the world with its unique flavour along with its distinctive characteristics. 

There are many varieties of wines made in this brewery using various fruit varieties. The main varieties used in the wines are Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, etc., which infuse a unique flavour to the wine. 

This brewery is around 40 km from the city of Cannabara and is an ecological approach to winemaking. It follows a sustainable method to produce the wines, enriching the significance of the Lake to the wine. 

5.3. Lerida Estate

Located in the foothills of the Cullerine Mountains on Lake George, Lerida Estate is dedicated to producing distinctive, world-class wines that represent the unique and beautiful locations where the wines are grown.

It combines state-of-the-art vineyard management, meticulous winemaking, a wonderfully cool climate location, and a stunning Glenn Murcutt-designed winery. Also, Lerida Estate offers a welcoming and memorable visitor experience with exceptional wines.

The cellar door and award-winning Café Lerida is a popular cafe at the estate, which is open every day of the week. 

6. How to Reach the Lake?

Lake George is located on the Southern Plateau between Goulburn and Canberra, adjacent to the federal highway. One of the rest stops at the end of the highway offers views of the lake and surrounding countryside.

These locations have picnic tables and restrooms, as well as ample parking. There are also wineries nearby if you want to taste local wines. At the southern end of the lake, exit the highway to the Weeriwa lookout.

From there, you can see Lake George. You can also see the jagged rocks of the Lake George Fault at the lookout.

7. Wrapping Up

Lake George’s history, geological formation, and mysterious water level changes make it a favourite for researchers, nature enthusiasts, and tourists. Its cultural significance, scientific value, and natural beauty attract people to explore the beauty and detangle its mysteries.

The arrival of European immigrants and subsequent expeditions, such as Joseph Wilde in 1820, prompted Governor Macquarie to name the town after King George III.

About 25 km long and 10 km wide, the lake’s geographic features make it an attractive closed-water body with unpredictable changes in water levels.

Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by rahuldey7417