Wentworth Tourism

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, traditionally known as Tar-Ru, in south-western NSW is a special cultural place and a key national water resource.
 

It is a significant cultural heritage site for the Aboriginal community and an indispensable environmental resource for a major part of the health of the River Murray, its plants, animals and ecosystems.
In several important ways, Lake Victoria is representative of the issues the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) faces in balancing the range of human, economic and environmental interests of the basin.
It highlights the importance of, and the need to manage water resources in an integrated way that takes full account of cultural and environmental awareness.
The Lake Victoria provides a vital supply of water for people in New South Wales, Victoria and particularly for the Lower Murray region and other major towns and cities throughout South Australia.
 

Visiting the Lake Victoria area

Lake Victoria is an area of intense historic, environmental and engineering interest to a wide variety of visitors.
At the Information Bay and Memorial Lookout at Lake Victoria, visitors can learn more and experience the wonder at this desert oasis, now a vital water supply, rich in Aboriginal heritage.
Camping and fishing areas on the Rufus and Murray Rivers are available to visitors. At the Rufus River campsite adjacent to the Outlet Regulator, water, shade and toilets are available. The River Murray campsite is ‘bush camping’ with no facilities. Turn off 100 m East of the Outlet Regulator, 3 km to Lock 7. Boil all water.
The Scaddings Bridge camp ground is also provided for public use. Turn off the Main Wentworth Road at the sign post indicating “Lock 8 and Scaddings Bridge”.

Access protocols and codes of behaviour

While visitors are welcome to the Lake Victoria area, access to the Lake and foreshore areas is controlled via implementation of an ‘Access Protocol’ as defined with the Plan. Requests for admission to the Lake environment must be submitted to the Team Leader, Cultural Heritage Management at on (03) 5027 8218 at least one month in advance. Approval may be subject to consideration of a written proposal by the BMEC and LVAC.
A Code of Behaviour also applies to protect the fragile nature of the environment and its cultural heritage and includes:
  • act respectfully towards the Aboriginal heritage of the Lake and the rights, equipment and facilities of the landholders;
  • visitors in vehicles are required to stay on tracks and to abide by any other guidelines from SA Water, NSW DPI Water, OEH, MDBA or landowners. Private land is restricted;
  • carry out all rubbish with you;
  • try to leave everything as you found it. Do not disturb historic places, Aboriginal sites, plants, native animals and livestock;
  • minimise use of firewood, do not cut standing trees, thoroughly extinguish fire before leaving; and
  • Aboriginal and historic places/relics are protected by law.

More inrmation

Team Leader Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
SA Water, Lake Victoria
PMB 19, Renmark SA 5341
Phone (03) 5027 8218

Lake Victoria A Special Place