If your child rows for a school or club, you will probably spend a few weekends at Lake Nagambie. The biggest is the APS Heads of the River in March, which brings thousands of school families into a small town. This guide is for the parents, siblings and grandparents who come to watch.
01The Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre
The Regatta Centre sits on the lake beside a long, straight buoyed rowing course. It hosts school, club, masters and canoe sprint regattas. Spectators watch from the banks near the finish.
02The regatta season
Regattas run from spring to autumn. The Shire publishes each new season's dates on its closures at Lake Nagambie page. The pattern below comes from the 2025 to 2026 calendar. Use it as a guide to which months are busy, not as fixed dates.
| Month | Typical events |
|---|---|
| October | Canoe sprint championships, Foot of the Goulburn regatta |
| November | APS Regatta, MGG Hooper Cup, canoe sprint |
| December | New Year's Eve fireworks |
| January to February | Waterski club events, LSV open water swimming, Nagambie Rowing Regatta (two days, whole lake closed), Nagambie on Water Festival |
| March | Scotch Mercantile Regatta, APS Heads of the River (whole lake closed), Vic Schools Canoe Championship |
| May | RV Masters Rowing Regatta |
Check with your school, club or the regatta organiser for race times.
03Arriving and parking
On big regatta days traffic backs up and parking fills early. Arrive well before your rower's first race, and follow the marshals' directions. Check with the organiser for parking and shuttle details.
04What to bring
Bring folding chairs, shade, sunscreen, hats, water and food. Days are long and the banks can be hot or windy. A rug and a spare jumper help in March and May.
05Where to eat
Food is often available at the course, but queues get long. Grab breakfast in town on the way: see bakery and breakfast. For dinner, book ahead at pubs and dinner, or browse the Eat and drink section.
06Where to stay
Beds run out on big regatta weekends, especially Heads of the River. Book as early as you can. Compare options in where to stay, caravan parks and motels.
07For siblings between races
Races can be hours apart. Take younger ones to the Tahbilk wetlands walk, or see things to do in Nagambie for ideas close to town.
08Anglers and boaters: plan around regatta days
On whole-lake regatta days the lake closes to other boats, and both the Regatta Centre ramp and the Buckley Park ramp close, usually from about 7am to 6pm. Check what's on the lake this weekend before you tow a boat up.