Lake Dumbleyung
Location Details
Scroll to bottom of page for images and posts
Ihave been only once to this lake so far, but it is a great lake and I find myself wishing to go back there (the only hesitation is the distance from Perth). It is the location of one of my favourite nightscape photos (shown above and repeated below) for anyone to view in detail (because I really love this photo). The lake is wide and expansive (it is the largest inland body of water in Western Australia) - and typically has water all year around. The one time I was there the wind was still and the water reflected nicely the image of the stars above - but boy was it cold, zero degrees that night.
The lake has areas of significant dead and dying trees along its shore - which provide some great composition possibilities for nightscape photography. A fair bit of the shore line is difficult to get to though, but there is the Dumbleyung yacht club on the northern shoreline which provides very easy access to the northern part of the lake. This can be accessed via a short dirt road.
The other fantastic thing about this lake is that it has a firm clay bed. As in the top photo, I can be seen standing on a small rock off the shore of the lake surrounded in water - but walking there was easy (with boots on) as despite being under water, the bottom of the lake is firm and one can walk through the water easily.
Another opportunity is near the northern part of the lake there is a small lookout. It is on private property but there is a sign at the access road giving permission for anyone to go visit. It is on the way and a short distance from the yacht club, so there is little reason why you wouldn't take advantage of visiting both the lake and the look out. Drive along the Lake Dumbleyung Scenic Drive which will lead you up to Pussy Cat Hill. Here you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of this expanse of water. I found the view from the lookout so-so, but maybe someone can make better use out of it than I did.
As to the southern shore of the lake, I have not scouted it yet for possibilities - but I am looking forward to the night when I finally make my way once more to this jewel of a lake.
Regarding facilities of the lake, well there are none - however the town of Dumbleyung is not too far away, and Wagin is nearby as well. Being over three hours from Perth be warned about making a trip there and back in one day/night.
Images of Location
