Emerald & surrounds

Emerald and its surrounding lakes and parks are the perfect place to wander, enjoy a great family day out, a cosy private picnic, an active day of adventure or indulge in some retail therapy.

Originally part of the Nobelius Nursery planted in the late 1890s, Emerald is decorated by fruit and ornamental trees and in 1941, 50 hectares of the original nursery was converted into a public park. Emerald Lake is hugely popular location for an active day out as the park is bordered by the Puffing Billy railway line and offers a variety of outdoor activities for all types of visitors on the areas surrounding Lake Treganowan and Lake Nobelius.

Fishing enthusiasts also love Emerald Lake for its abundance of rainbow trout and you’ll often find visitors casting a line here.

Additionally, the township is the perfect place to explore the cafes, boutiques and gift shops.

Nearby Aura Vale Lake is another huge recreational area with several picnic spots, outdoor barbecue facilities and camping grounds.

Discover Cardinia Reservoir Park, a popular outdoor recreation area situated near the dam of the Cardinia Reservoir. Since the 1970s, it’s been a major source for Melbourne's water supply and today it’s a large recreational park with several sheltered barbeque areas.

Visitors love the Emerald region for its variety of activities as well as accommodation options, from luxury boutiques, to budget-friendly options.