Dragon Fly Picnic Ground (Karkarook Park)

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Dragon Fly Picnic Ground (Karkarook Park)

The Dragon Fly picnic ground is a the perfect spot for a barbecue picnic with friends and family. You will find electric barbecues, picnic tables (both undercover and in the open), toilets, a playground and an observation tower that overlooks the lake. You can bring your own gas or liquid fuel bbq for use in the picnic ground.

Take a stroll along the viewing tower to observe the lake and residing birdlife. Dragon Fly picnic ground is a great access point to many of the surrounding walking trails. Spend time exploring the extensive wetlands, lake environment and bushland. Enjoy access to the lake for fishing and boating activities.

Every Saturday at 8am join in on an organised Parkrun event, extending over 5km the lake and wetlands.

Park gates are closed between dusk and dawn.

How to get there

Dragon Fly Picnic Ground (Karkarook Park)

Dragon Fly Picnic Ground (Karkarook Park)

Need to know

Dragon Fly Picnic Ground (Karkarook Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash

Restrictions

  • No camping
  • No solid fuel portable BBQs
  • No motorised vehicles, including electric bikes or scooters allowed on management vehicle only paths, tracks or roads
  • Boating zones apply
  • No firearms allowed
  • No fires permitted
  • No dogs allowed in playgrounds
  • No horses
  • No drones without a permit
  • No solid fuel fires permitted

Warnings

  • Water hazards
    • Deep water
  • Animals and pests
    • Snakes
  • Other warnings
    • Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Blue-green Algae Outbreak

A blue-green algae (BGA) bloom is currently affecting Karkarook Lake. The public is advised to avoid any direct contact with blue-green algae affected water.

Direct contact with BGA can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itchiness, or sore eyes, ears and nose. If swallowed, BGA affected water can cause gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting.

People who come in to contact with BGA contaminated water should wash immediately in fresh water. Seek medical advice if experiencing illness after contact with BGA affected water.

Any fish harvested from BGA affected water should have gills and guts removed prior to cooking. People should not eat whole fish, or shellfish or crustaceans collected from Karkarook Lake. The type of BGA affecting Karkarook Lake produces toxins that can concentrate in shellfish and crustaceans and accumulate in the liver and internal organs of fish. Ingesting BGA toxins can lead to serious illness.

Water from the affected water body should not be used for drinking, cooking or other domestic uses. Boiling the affected water will not make it safe for use.

For any health issues experienced after contact with BGA affected water please seek medical advice immediately.

Pet owners should prevent pets from drinking or having direct contact with contaminated water.

Visitors to the area are advised that they can still enjoy other recreational activities such as bushwalking and sightseeing around the water body.

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