Lake George (South Australia)
Lake George - Sailor: Derryn Arthur - Photo: Gary Issac
It is surreal blasting across this glassy flat water in a strong breeze
Lake George - Photo: Andrew Haigh
Packin Point - Lake George - Photo Andrew Haigh
Blasting across the glassy flat water
Light wind sailing is also a lot of fun on the glassy surface at LG
Lake George - Sailor: Derryn Arthur - Photo: Gary Issac
Lake George - Sailor: Derryn Arthur - Photo: Gary Issac
Lake George - Sailor: Derryn Arthur - Photo: Gary Issac
Cockies is a launching spot on a point on the NW side of the small lake
Driving across the southern lake to get to Cockies
Cockies launching spot
5 Mile launching area
5-Mile at high water levels - Lake George - Photo: Andrew Haigh
5-Mile - Lake George - Photo: Andrew Haigh
5-Mile at high levels - Lake George - Photo: Andrew Haigh
5 Mile is one of the most popular launching spots
Lake George, southern lake looking towards Beachport - Photo: Andrew Haigh
View over beachport - Photo: Andrew Haigh
Lake George Windsurfing
Lake George in South Australia is located approximately 300 km SE of Adelaide.
The most prominent town near Lake George is Beachport which is a small coastal town around 510 km from Melbourne (or around 5.5 – 6 hours drive).
Lake George is well known for its consistently cold-dense strong winds and glassy clear flat water so if you want a break from chop and waves and you just want to go fast, this is a great place to visit! Sailing speeds in excess of 40 knots are commonly achieved here with the record in the high 40s!!!
Each year high tides and fresh water run-off fill the lake and encourage weed growth. The benefit of this is that as summer heats up, the lake gradually recedes and leaves huge areas of the lake with weed close to the surface (about 20-30 cm). At this time the sailing is fabulous, the water is like a mirror, barely a ripple and with the wind blowing at an average 20-25 knots, the conditions don’t get much better.
The fine weed in the lake breaks easily with fin contact (unlike ribbon weed) so cutting through the weed with a raked fin works well.
Be aware that the weed is quite abrasive, and if you fall in whilst it is only just below the surface it can be knee to waist deep and if you have bare skin be prepared for some exfoliation. It is recommended you wear a full length wetsuit unless you never fall in.
Whilst the lake can work in most directions, the most consistent breeze comes from the SSE to SE. SW to SSW can be work but be more gusty. If you are there to go fast a Westerly doesn’t really work but if you are happy to sail in some chop any direction can work.
You can sail the lake any time of the year however the most consistent winds for speed sailing are from late December to early March.
The lake levels also need to be considered and the best times are generally from December to March however this can change depending on the winter rainfalls a amount of evaporation over summer.
Outside of these times you can get a lucky session with the right lake levels, wind direction or sail in some great storm conditions.
Access & Launching
There are four main spots for launching around the lake however the best spot depends on the water level at the time and the wind direction.
Sometimes when the water is high, sections of the track around the lake can be swamped and boggy and driving can get rough and challenging in parts.
No matter where you launch from, be prepared to walk through some sticky black mud and weeds before being deep enough to launch.
Packin Point (3-Mile) is the closest launch spot to Beachport and can be a good place to put-in if the lake level is high enough. Otherwise proceed to 5-Mile.
To access, drive along the Lake George road out of Beachport and turn right into the 3-mile camping park track (approximately 1.6 km past the end of the bitumen road). When you reach the T-intersection at the lake, turn right and head to the point (approx 400m). This spot can be reached by 2wd.
There is a bush campsite located at 3-mile bend if simple camping is your style however the only facilities are drop-toilets and there are only 7 sites.
5-Mile is also a popular spot for launching and can easily be reached by 2wd provided the road isn’t flooded. The launching area can be a bit more muddy underfoot compared to The Spit and Packing Point. There are a few grassy spots at 5-Mile and a dirt parking area. The best spot to put-in here is about 150 m before 5-Mile where there is an old picnic area which has a grassy area for rigging. There is also a drop-toilet at this spot.
The dirt road to 5-Mile is in good condition and can be accessed easily by 2wd vehicles.
5-Mile is about 4.6km from the end of the bitumen on Lake George Road.
Cockies is a popular spot for launching when the lake drops to a low enough level to be able to drive across the lake bed. This spot can also be accessed by 2wd vehicles.
To access there is a dirt track to the right (approximately 1.6km from the centre of Beachport) that runs on to the lake bed. When you get to the lake bed you will see a well-worn track created by others travelling to/from this spot. Don’t deviate from this track as you can get bogged even just a couple of metres from the track. Follow the track across the lake for approx. 4.5km where you will arrive at the point.
Foster Point (The Spit) is a popular spot (if you can get to it as it can be swamped and muddy) however it is generally only accessible by 4wd and the track has a lot of scrub that can scratch your vehicle. It has a weed reef on either side about 400 metres from the shore which is under water when the lake is full. As the lake drops part of this weed reef becomes exposed and white salt foam forms on it, normally from whichever way the wind is blowing. No matter which way the wind blows either one side of the spit or the other is always smooth where you can get perfectly flat water for 200 – 300 metres. This spot also works better than others on the lake when the water level is high.
Whilst the big lake to the north is sailable, apart from the speed strip next to the spit it can get a bit choppy and you should consider a full length fin. Most windsurfers stick to the southern lake only as this has the best all round speed sailing.
Be aware there are two islands on the northern side of the southern lake which you need to keep at least 100 metres from due to sharp rocks. When coming into shore you need to slow down or get off early as the water is shallow in close.
Foster Point also has a small camping area which is free but it has no facilities apart from a drop toilet. Also be aware of snakes out on the spit.
The map below shows the various launching spots. The red line is the rough directions across the lake to Cockies. The orange lines signify the general sailing directions in the predominant SSE breeze (which is the best direction).
Dogs
Dogs (and any pets) are not allowed into the reserve to protect the incredibly diverse wildlife in the area. There is lots of baiting in the area plus lots of tiger snakes so it is not the safest environment for a dog anyway.
Gear to Use
As the weed lurks not too far below the surface you will need a weed fin. The degree of rake may vary from 30 degrees to 50 degrees depending on the depth of the water over the weed. Obviously the shallower the water, the more angle. If you only have one weed fin, 40 – 45 degrees and around 27 cm long will work in most conditions.
As the lake gets really low towards the end of the season many sailors go to a Delta Fin which is even shorter at around 15 – 25 cm.
Speed, Freeride & Slalom boards are the go and typical sail sizes from 4.0 – 5.5m on the stronger winds and 6.0 – 7.5 m in lighter winds. Or for those slalom guys that are happy to sail in 15 knots (which is awesome on this glassy flat water) bring your big race sails.
Check some awesome videos here>>
Other Things To Do
Apart from the obvious water activities including swimming, surfing and fishing, the Limestone Coast has lots of great things to see and do.
The area is probably most well know for its fabulous wineries in the Coonawara.
Other activities include visiting the Pool of Siloan which is 7 times saltier than the sea where you can float on the top of the water and absorb the therapeutic benefits of the water, take a walk out on the Beachport jetty which is one of the best in SA, visit the Blue Lake and the Umpherston Sinkhole at Mt Gambier, visit the Naracoorte and/or Tantanoola caves, visit the Old Wool & Gran Store in Beachport, take a trip to historic Robe (which also has beautiful beaches), visit the Beachport Conservation Park and more.
Other Spots Nearby
If you are into wave sailing, this area has some of the best in South Australia. Rivoli Bay at Beachport has a lot of options depending on the wind direction and Robe is also one of SA’s premier wave sailing spots.
Accommodation Options
There are a few options for camping around Lake George at Foster Point (The Spit) or 2-Mile Bend. Both of these campsites are pretty basic with drop-toilets and that's about it. Most people would tend to stay in nearby Beachport which is a lovely seaside town. Beachport also has a couple of camping grounds / holiday parks; the most popular for windsurfers being the Beachport Southern Ocean Tourist Park where dozens of windsurfers congregate each summer. For those that would prefer four walls, Beachport has a few apartments, bed n breakfasts, motels and private holiday homes for rent. Another option would be to stay a little further north at the lovely town of Robe which also has some fabulous windsurfing.
Featured Beachport Accommodation
- Star Rating:
- 4-star
Price Range:- $$-$$$
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Washing Machine
- Views
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- Car Parking
- Pet Friendly
Bonnies of Beachport is located in the heart of Beachport township offering spectacular sea views. The luxury 2-bedroom apartments accommodate up to 4 guests and pets are welcome. The apartments are modern and bright and all have balconies with sea views. There is a fully equipped kitchen with oven, dishwasher and coffee machine. All apartments have a seating and dining Read more... - Price Range:
- $-$$
- $$
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Private Bathroom
- Washing Machine
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- Communal Lounge Area
- Communal Kitchen
- BBQ Facilities
- Car Parking
Beachport Caravan Park is a great location for beach lovers as it is just a short walk to the beach. The park offers self-cater cabins (sleep up to 6), a 4-bedroom cottage (sleeps up to 12) and luxury apartments for 3 – 6 guests. Amenities include toilet & shower block, laundry facilities and a camp kitchen/indoor BBQ and dining area Read more... - Price Range:
- $
- $-$$
- $$
Beach Access:- 0-5 mins walk
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Views
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- BBQ Facilities
- Car Parking
- Pet Friendly
The Southern Ocean Tourist Park is a popular place for windsurfers to stay when visiting Lake George. The park is located just one street, 2 mins walk from a safe swimming beach in Beachport and is walking distance to everything in town. They offer large grassy, sheltered powered and un-powered sites as will as self-contained cabins & villas. Park features Read more...
Featured Robe Accommodation
- Price Range:
- $-$$
Beach Access:- Short Drive
Room Types:- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- BBQ Facilities
- Car Parking
Robe Holiday Park is located 5 mins drive or 20 mins walk from the centre of Robe township. This could be an option if you are wanting to sail at Robe or Lake George. In addition to powder and non-powered sites, the park offers open-plan self-cater bungalows sleeping up to 4 guests. The air conditioned cabins have a fully equipped Read more... - Star Rating:
- 4-star
Price Range:- $-$$
- $$
Beach Access:- 0-5 mins walk
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
- Triple
- Quad
- Family
Room Facilities:- Private Bathroom
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- Indoor Pool
- Communal Lounge Area
- Communal Kitchen
- BBQ Facilities
- Car Parking
- Pet Friendly
Robetown Motor Inn is located a short walk to the main beach at Robe. It offers fully air conditioned motel rooms, family suites and a 3 bedroom apartment accommodating 1 – 6 guests across the various room types. The property features an indoor heated pool and spa, a communal kitchen with gas BBQ, hot plates, stone and cooking utensils and Read more...
Here are a few more great videos of Lake George....
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- S
- SE
- SW
- Flat Water Blasting
- Speed Sailing
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Dec
- Flat Water
- Lake
- Moderate Temp Water
- Fresh Water
- Salt Water
- Sand
- Mud
- Weed
- Rocks
- Difficult Launching
- On-site Parking
- Free Parking
- Town
- Accommodation
- Camp Ground
- Sand Bars
- Reefs
- Weed
Beachport
South Australia
5280
Australia
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1 Review on “Lake George (South Australia)”
From all the hype I had heard about Lake George I had pretty high expectations prior to my visit.
Well was I excited about how good the sailing was at this spot.
It took quite a bit of work to get to some of the launching areas and then wade out through the thick mud and weed however the experience made these small challenges seem insurmountable.
Gliding across glassy flat water in 15 to 20 knot winds was truly surreal and I managed to get my personal best of 32 knots (previously 26 knots) on a freeride board with a freeride sail (no fancy race gear here).
Whilst this spot rates lowly in frills it is a 5 out of 5 blasting experience.
I just can’t wait to get to Lake George again next year if the conditions are right.