Lake Boga is located on the Murray Valley Highway around 327km from Melbourne via the Calder Freeway. It is only 15km by road from Swan Hill and 49km from Kerang.
Lake Boga is a beloved family holiday spot, offering camping, fishing and all manners of water activities.
In an almost perfect circle, this freshwater lake sits 10km south of Swan Hill. The namesake township is on the lake’s south-western side, with picnic areas, a railway station, holiday accommodation and a wonderful piece of heritage in the form of the Cannie Ridge Steam Pump, which operated from 1904 to 1952.
There’s a concrete and gravel track encircling the lake, on which you’ll encounter ducks, pelicans and many other species of waterbirds.
The Catalina Flying Boat Museum
Lake Boga’s contribution to Australia’s military history commenced during World War II, after a flying boat base was established in response to the Japanese attacks on Darwin and Broome.
The attacks created a need for a base and repair depot for Catalina flying boats beyond the range of Japanese raids.
What became the nation’s principal flying boat base, had a short lived history after it was closed in 1947, but its memory lives on in the form of a fantastically well put together museum.
The museum incorporates the base’s hidden communications bunker, and features a gleaming Catalina (A24-30) that was restored by the Lions Club of Lake Boga. This is accompanied by footage, archive photographs, communications equipment, tools and the engines of several flying boats.
Birdwatchers
Lake Boga and the surruounding district is a paradise for birdwatchers with 68 species identified in the area. The Little Murray is within close proximity and a great spot for a
touch of fishing or a leisurely cruise in a small boat. On the western side of town is Round Lake, which is home to many varied sometimes rare species of birds and fish.
