Grain silo in the distance, a view across the paddocks at Sea Lake

Sea Lake
Wheatbelt town in the heart of the Mallee
Sea Lake is a wheat-belt town of some 900 people which is defined by the huge grain silo in the middle of the town and the railway line that carts away the masses of wheat which literally surround the settlement. It is located on the Calder Highway, 369 km north-west of Melbourne.

Tyrrell Downs run was established by W.E. Stanbridge, the manager of the East Charlton run, who followed Tyrrell Creek north to Lake Tyrrell and set up the station in 1847. The property was bought by E.H. Lascelles (see entry on Hopetoun) in 1884, as part of his plan to render the Mallee fit for agriculture. He hired a hundred men to clear the land then floated a public company to raise capital, thereby establishing one of the largest wheat farms in the world (20 000 ha).

The company went into the black in 1900 but pests and drought ate away at the venture and the farm was broken up and sold to smaller selectors. Among them were the poets John Neilson and his son John Shaw Neilson.

The main street of Sea Lake

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Sea Lake Neighbourhood House, 200 Best St, tel: (03) 5070 1448.

Recreation Reserve
The town's Recreation Reserve has an arboretum of salt-tolerant Mallee plants.

Crafts and Antiques
S & D Country Collectables, at 68-72 Best St, is an antiques and crafts shop, open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. weekdays and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays, tel: (03) 5070 2048.

Lake Tyrrell Wildlife Reserve
6 km north of Sea Lake on the Calder Highway a right-hand turn takes you out to Lake Tyrell which is Victoria's largest salt lake covering 20 860 hectares. There is a viewing platform and information bay.

Lake Tyrell, a huge salt lake near Sea Lake

The lake is quite ancient. It may have been formed by drifting sand blocking the passage of Tyrrell Creek. Over time it became a giant salt basin due to the flow of subterranean saline water and the run-off from Tyrrell Lake.

It is dry most of the year, though, at times, it may be covered in shallow water. The evaporation leaves a salt crust which is commercially exploited by the Cheetham Salt Works at the northern end of the lake.

Small islands in the lake are used as a breeding ground by thousands of seagulls. The saltbush and samphire around the lagoon support a range of wildlife while the lunette to the east contains significant Aboriginal relics.

The Mallee Desert Car Rally is held here on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June.

For further information on the reserve ring (03) 5022 3000.

Green Lake Regional Park
10 km south of Sea Lake along the road to Birchip is Green Lake, a small and very attractive lake in the middle of a wheat-belt area with sandy beaches, powered camping sites, showers and lots of picnic-barbecue areas, gum trees and shade. The lake is ideal for swimming, fishing, yabbying, windsurfing and boating. Bushwalking can be pursued in an adjacent reserve of mallee and pine-buloke woodland. For further information ring (03) 5070 1448.

	Motels
	Motel Thistledome Calder Hwy Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 1252 Rating: **
	Hotels
	Royal Hotel Sea Lake Best St Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 1050
	Caravan Parks
	Green Lake Caravan & Camping Park Sea Lake -Birchip Road Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 1018 Rating: *
	Restaurants
	Motel Thistledome Calder Hwy Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 1252
	Cafés
	Lemon Grove Cafe & Bistro Calder Hwy Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 2122
	Top Cafe 71 Best St Sea Lake VIC 3533 Telephone: (03) 5070 1163