Next trip:
Saturday 13 December 2025
(A one off trip)
Entry fees to attractions (if any) are not included.
Red Rock Volcano – Victoria’s Youngest Volcanic Marvel!
Red Rock is one of Australia’s youngest volcanoes, formed around 8,000 years ago. This striking landscape is part of the Newer Volcanics Province, and features a complex mix of scoria cones, maars, tuff rings, and basalt flows.
🌋 What You’ll See
• Over 30 eruption points scattered across the terrain, creating a dramatic and varied volcanic landscape.
• Crater lakes like Lake Werowrap and Lake Coragulac, often filled with brackish or saline water, nestled in ancient maars.
• 380-degree views from two amazing lookouts, showcasing Lake Corangamite to the west and the rolling volcanic plains to the east.
• Distinctive red rocks, which gives the site its name and contributes to the region’s unique agricultural character.
• A short walk from the car park leads to the lookout via a wooden stairway, suitable for most fitness levels.
• Interpretive signs explain the geological history and significance of the site.
• Great photo opportunities, especially on clear days when the contrast between the white crater lakes and red volcanic soil is most vivid.
Lake Corangamite is Australia’s largest permanent saltwater lake, renowned for its hypersaline waters, volcanic origins, and ecological significance.
• Size: Covers approximately 234 km² with a shoreline stretching about 150 km.
• Type: Endorheic (no outflow), hypersaline lake formed in a basalt depression caused by ancient lava flows.
🧂 Salinity & Name Origin:
• The lake’s salinity is typically three times higher than seawater, making it inhospitable to most freshwater species.
• The name “Corangamite” is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “bitter” or “salt water”, reflecting its extreme salinity.
Lake Colac is Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake, located in the heart of Colac.
• Size: Covers 2,778 hectares with a 33 km circumference.
• Depth: Average maximum depth of 2.5 metres, though levels vary seasonally.
• Origins: Formed by volcanic activity that blocked Deans and Barongarook Creeks, creating a basin within the Corangamite region.
Colac Botanic Gardens are a tranquil, heritage-rich oasis overlooking Lake Colac, perfect for nature lovers.
• Size & Location: Spanning 16 hectares on the southern banks of Lake Colac, the gardens offer elevated views of the lake and surrounding volcanic plains.
• Designer: Originally established in 1868 by Daniel Bunce and later redesigned by William Guilfoyle, famed for his work on Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Flora: Home to over 1,000 plant specimens, including mature oak trees, exotic species, and curated garden beds. Botanic Café: Located in the former curator’s cottage (circa 1924), offering refreshments in a charming heritage setting.
COLAC is a vibrant regional centre in Victoria with a population of around 12,756, offering a diverse and satisfying lunch scene that caters to all tastes. Colac Memorial Square is a central, heritage-rich park in the heart of Colac’s CBD, dedicated to honouring those who served in World War I. It's a full city block of green space surrounded by Colac’s main shops and civic buildings.
Morning tea or coffee served with cakes at our charming first stop — the perfect way to ease into a day of exploration and relaxation.
Then we journey through Victoria’s volcanic plains to visit several breathtaking salt lakes, each with its own unique character. Marvel at the shimmering white crusts, surreal landscapes, and expansive skies that make these lakes so photogenic and geologically fascinating. Anticlockwise loop via Inverleigh. Note: Pink colour is not guaranteed as it depends entirely on weather conditions.
Sunglasses are strongly recommended when venturing onto salt areas (on sunny days), possibility of stepping into soft mud near water's edge.
Convenient Pickup Locations
9:05am 1st Pickup - FEDERATION SQUARE - Cnr Flinders & Russell Streets Bus pickup zone
9:15am 2nd Pickup- bus stop at 361 QUEEN St cnr A'Beckett St (Queen Victoria Market end)
9:30am 3rd Pickup -FOOTSCRAY STATION South entrance Cnr Hyde & Bunbury Streets.
9:55am 4th Pickup -HOPPERS CROSSING STATION - Bus Interchange, Woolworth's side.
Bus leaves Colac back to Melbourne at 3:30pm (Approx.).
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