Tag: salt lakes in Wheatbelt

Baandee Lake

Free camping at Baandee Lake

Baandee Lake is a beautiful salt lake in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is 25km east of Kellerberrin on Ski Lake road. This is a popular place for water skiing when there is enough water in the lake. It is also a pleasant free camping area. There are flushing toilets, cold water shower and non-drinking water for washing hands available. In cooler months you can enjoy camp fires in the fire rings provided. We stayed at Baandee Lake in early November. The weather was favourable – not too hot during the day time yet and cooling at night. There was still water in the lake although not enough for water ski activities. With plenty of space for camping along the shore of the lake to choose from, we found a nice spot with gorgeous view which we enjoyed during our 1 night stay there. We were the only ones, although a few cars visited during the day.

Fantastic views and scenery at Baandee Lake

The best thing for us camping at Baandee Lake were the awesome views of the ever changing sky.

Stormy clouds and rainbow over Baandee Lake

So, we witnessed the intensely strong red sunset.

Red sunset over Baandee Lake
Vehicle camping near Baandee Lake

Many satelites (and maybe a comet?) across the sky full of stars but also some clouds.

Aurora passed by leaving a bit of a colour in the sky too. 🙂

Pretty cool sunrise

Sunrise over Baandee Lake

Some dramatic clouds in the morning just after the sunrise.

Dramatic looking clouds over Baandee Lake

and beautiful reflections of the clouds in the lake.

Clouds reflected in Baandee Lake

Baandee Lake is in South Doodlakine, Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is about 3 hour drive east from Perth.

Brown Lake and Eaglestone Rock

Lake Brown near Eaglestone Rock in the Wheatbelt
Lake Brown near Eaglestone Rock

Salt lakes are another natural wonder in the Wheatbelt. When there is a lot of rainfall, the salt lakes become fully alive with many of lying dormant seeds and eggs waking up to the right conditions. In dryer seasons, many salt lakes dry up and harden so much that you can walk on their surface. There is so much salt in them, that the dry salt resembles ice and for someone who has never seen ice, it is a real delight. Lake Brown is one such place of wonder. Kids had a lot of fun walking on the salty crust and playing with it. While I was busy photographing beautiful landscape.

Atriplex holocarpa growing near Lake Brown and Eaglestone Rock in the Wheatbelt
Atriplex holocarpa
Two children at Lake Brown near Eaglestone Rock in the Wheatbelt
Lake Brown

Lake Brown and Eaglestone Rock overlooking it are located 20km north east of Nungarin in the Wheatbelt region of WA and are accessed via Lake Brown South Road. We did not camp there, as we only stopped to check out this place and saw a few caravans and vans there. It did look like a fantastic spot for exploration, as well as camping, especially in the cooler months.  This place will be our next adventure in the near future!

Eaglestone Rock near Lake Brown in the Wheatbelt
Eaglestone Rock and salty Lake Brown in the Wheatbelt