THE banks of the Loddon River have been lined with fans new and old lapping up fun in the water over the holiday season.
Nadine Gray brought family and friends to Newbridge Recreation Reserve last weekend for birthday celebrations.
From Geelong, Nadine says her family is regular visitors to both Newbridge and Bridgewater. “We come up this way every summer ... we love the river for fishing, swimming and the bread and pubs are good too.”
Nadine’s family, including some from Bendigo, had high praise for the presentation of the Newbridge camp ground. “The local volunteers do a great job,” they said.
Fishing is the constant attraction for Sunbury’s Silvio Nativo. He says the waters near Bridgewater Caravan Park have been happy angling grounds over the years with Murray cod catches up to 95kg.
“This weekend they just don’t seem to be biting. Perhaps next time,” he said.
At the historic Bridgewater swimming hole, local families were joined by groups from Bendigo. The Frost family said children enjoyed the river setting and with the bakery nearby, Bridgewater was a great destination out of Bendigo.
Downstream at Laanecoorie, canoeing enthusiasts James and Rose Gregg were having their first experience on the Loddon River. “I went upstream about 3km, we’ve walked to the weir and back ... it was a bit of hike,” said James.
He has been canoeing since aged nine when his first vessel was a stretched-canvas kayak.
“We had four spots on the map and chose Laanecoorie for the weekend,” said James of Ballarat.
Laanecoorie Reservoir was also popular at the weekend with water skiers.