A wonderful spot to stay and breathe in the tranquil surrounds.
Lake Jubilee is surrounded by natural bushland and parkland. Enjoy a leisurely 1.2km walk around the lake or stroll 500m beside the lake from the carpark to the mineral spring via a boulevard of elm trees. Enjoy a picnic or BBQ. Hire a kayak or canoe and paddle in the usually calm waters. The lake is an excellent family-friendly fishing spot regularly stocked with rainbow trout. There’s a kids’ playground and plenty of seating for relaxing and taking in the natural scenery. There are entertaining tame lyrebirds and ducks, all make this a perfect holiday destination.
Lake Jubilee, originally known as Hepburn Goldfields Reservoir, was built to supply water to the local gold mines during the 1860s and to the towns of Hepburn and Daylesford. A flood washed the reservoir away in 1861 and in 1863 it was enlarged. In 1887 it was rebuilt and renamed Jubilee Lake in honour of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. By 1890 the water was deemed unfit for human consumption, although by 1900 its water quality had improved and picnic areas were established. At around that time a mineral spring was found upstream of the lake on the south bank of Wombat Creek.
On 22 October 1914 the Daily Advocate produced an article saying Mr F. A. Horsfall, the Town Clerk, reported to Monday night’s meeting of the Borough Council as follows.—
“Tourists Grant investigations at Jubilee Lake have revealed a good mineral spring. It tested as high as 30 gallons an hour per hour on Thursday last. As the spring is worthy of attention, I would recommend that application should be made for a grant of £50 towards improvements…”
Mr. Horsfall’s recommendations were very heartily adopted. Cr Harris, who resides at Jubilee Lake, informs us that the waters of the new spring are of a remarkably clear, sparkling character, and delightful to the palate… The spring will prove a very decided additional asset to the already many seductive attractions of Jubilee Lake and vicinity.”
Originally the mineral spring flowed into a simple drained pit. In 1929, a bore was drilled and fitted with a hand pump. The bore was replaced in 2002 with a new bore to a depth of 57m.
