Crusoe reservoir provides great opportunity for water activities such as swimming, fishing, non-powered boating with plenty of flora and fauna to discover. Seating and picnic facilities, ideal for all family and social outings, are found throughout the park.
Fishing - Crusoe Reservoir supports tench, redfin and is stocked with yellowbelly and murray cod.
Settling ponds - This historic filtration system was used to settle out sediment for drinking water. Over a million bricks were used
in its completion in the 1870s.
Swimming - The Reservoir is ideal for swimming, canoeing, small scale sailing and all forms of water activities.
Cycling - The Crusoe loop track is 3.3 km, with both water and bush views. The link track to Number 7 Reservoir is 1.7 km.
Number 7 Park
The Number 7 Park is a very important part of Bendigo’s gold mining history. The cleverly designed reservoir and water
purification system was the first of its kind in Australia in suppyling treated drinking water to Bendigo’s gold miners of
the 1860s. The settling ponds, the basin and channel system can still be seen today as you journey around an interpretive walk
surrounded by Box Ironbark forest.
Park Features
The Frog Ponds - Recreates the Bendigo creek, pre channeling.
The Puddler - Remains of a horse driven rotary machine used to break up clay that contains gold in early gold mining days.
Native Lawn Picnic Area - Ideal for a quiet family picnic.
Carpark - Provides ample parking including disabled and bus parking.
Disabled Friendly - Wide shared gravel tracks, all access toilets and parking
The network of gravel tracks has been measured and sign posted for varying distances with an easy to follow colour-coded
system that is ideal for the novice or serious runner.
Crusoe Reservoir & Number 7 Park supports a high nature conservation value and has adopted a No Dog and No Bin policy.
Getting There
Crusoe Reservoir is on the outskirts of Kangaroo Flat, an outer suburb of Bendigo.
Directions from the Calder Highway, Kangaroo Flat:
Facing Melbourne, turn right into Crusoe Road off the Calder Highway between Centro Lansell Plaza and Kangaroo Flat McDonalds. Follow this around to the reservoir.
Free Entry - Open 24 hours, 7 days a week for pedestrian and bike access.
Number 7 car park is open between 8:00 am and sunset.
For more information please click here.
Get Involved:
Friends of Crusoe Reservoir & No.7 Park
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Find us on Facebook.
The aim of the Friends of Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 Park is to continue to assist in the construction and development of the park so that all who visit may enjoy and appreciate the heritage values and natural environment of the area.