Southbank Splash: Melbourne’s original thrill slide

Daniel Down Daniel Down
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Edwardian Melburnians used to scream with delight as they hurtled down a huge waterslide now long gone, but it’s a diversion that is just as popular a hundred years on, finds Dan Down.

Not much has changed in Melbourne since the Edwardian era. Men still sport swallow tattoos, curly moustaches and beards (you may even spot the occasional bowler hat in some ’burbs), and there still appears to be a healthy desire to hurl oneself down a waterslide, all in the name of mindless fun.

On  7 January (2017) you’ll be able to rocket down a 400-metre slippery slope in the city centre (slide.melbourne).

You see, the Edwardians were mucking about like this a century ago.

Clearly pastimes of poetry recitals and taking the sea air weren’t quite doing the job in terms of adrenalin, so back in 1906 parties of friends sat on little skiffs and hurtled down a colossal wooden ramp into a large man-made pond before a crowd of genteelly dressed onlookers.

It was called Shooting The Chute and took place on a site called Prince’s Court, an entertainment area in the vicinity of today’s Arts Centre on St Kilda Road.

Wirth’s Olympia could also be found there, the only permanent circus site in Australia right up until the 1950s.

Other attractions included a toboggan ride, an open-air theatre, Japanese teahouse, miniature railway and (probably because things were getting a bit tame again) a rifle range.

The wooden structure of Shooting The Chute is long gone, but the area is still the cultural heart of the city, drawing exhibitions, artists and performers from all over the world.

And in true Melburnian style, the old attraction has been memorialised in bar form at The Waterslide, Southbank, with an interior that emulates a bygone era and old photos and posters of Edwardians getting their kicks on the once famous ride.

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Daniel Down
Daniel Down previously worked for Australian Traveller as deputy editor. He now channels his passion for the Australian outdoors and natural environment into his role at The Wilderness Society, and there’s nothing he loves to do more at the weekend than getting off-grid.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh. Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel, the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

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    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake, or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.