Goulburn Weir is the structure that holds back the Goulburn River to form Lake Nagambie, at the northern end of the lake about ten minutes from town. It is also a useful stop for anyone who wants to understand why the lake, channels and river look the way they do.
01What the weir does
Goulburn-Murray Water says the weir was built between 1887 and 1891 as Australia's first major irrigation diversion structure. It raises the river so water can be sent by gravity into irrigation channels, and the weir pool is Lake Nagambie. Read the Goulburn-Murray Water history and storage information.
02Visiting and picnics
The recreation area beside the weir is a simple place to stop, look across the structure and have a picnic. Access to the wall or parts of the reserve can change during inspections and works. Check the Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn Weir page for current notices before making a special trip.
Bring what your group needs and take rubbish away. Follow signs around operational areas.
03Fishing below the weir
The river below the wall is moving water, unlike the broad weir pool above it. The Victorian Fisheries Authority lists Goulburn Weir among the public access points on its Lower Goulburn fishing map.
Fishing rules, seasonal closures and legal methods can change. Read our fishing licence and rules guide and check the Victorian Fisheries Authority before fishing.
04Safety near the weir
A weir is working water infrastructure. Currents, sudden changes in flow and submerged hazards can make the water near the structure dangerous. Keep outside signed exclusion areas, do not climb barriers and supervise children closely. Check current access with Goulburn-Murray Water.
For the wider lake, see On the water at Lake Nagambie and boating and water skiing.
05Common questions
What is Goulburn Weir? A weir on the Goulburn River built between 1887 and 1891, which Goulburn-Murray Water describes as Australia's first major irrigation diversion structure. It raises the river so water flows by gravity into irrigation channels, and the water it holds back is Lake Nagambie.
What is the Goulburn Weir pool? The weir pool is the body of water the weir holds back, which is Lake Nagambie itself. The term turns up on maps and in official water documents; locals just say the lake.
Can you fish at Goulburn Weir? Yes. The river below the wall is a public access point on the VFA's Lower Goulburn fishing map, and it fishes as moving river water rather than lake. Stay outside the signed exclusion areas and check the current rules first.
Can you visit Goulburn Weir? Yes, there is a recreation area beside the weir for a picnic and a look across the structure. Access can change during inspections and works, so check Goulburn-Murray Water's notices before a special trip.