Visitor surge drives tourism at Wimmera region's Rocklands Reservoir

Investment from the Victorian Government has seen visitation to the Rocklands Reservoir in the Wimmera region of western Victoria rise over recent years.

Victorian Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos advised this week that a recent report into the value of Rocklands Reservoir as an outdoor recreation destination over the past five years found its economic contribution had grown 164% to a huge $5.5 million per year, with visitation swelling 50% to more than 25,000 people per year.

Minister Dimopoulos advised "these figures show that Rocklands is having a real moment in the sun."

"Rocklands has terrific outdoor experiences for people of all ages, and it's great to see so many families enjoying fishing and the great outdoors thanks to our record fish stocking."

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) commissioned the report alongside Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) and Wimmera Southern Mallee Development to assess the impact of record fish stocking and facility improvements on tourism in the area.

The report estimates visitors spent more than $3.4 million in the regional economy, with 80% of people going fishing during their stay. Swimming, boating and kayaking are other popular activities for visitors.

As part of its fish stocking program, the VFA has stocked more than five million Murray cod, golden perch, estuary perch and trout since 2016.

The Reservoir, located 260 kilometres west of Ballarat, has also benefitted from facility upgrades to the Hynes boat ramp as well as new amenities for campers and day visitors.

Fishing continues to be a major drawcard with anglers reporting regular golden perch up to 50 centimetres, Murray cod to 75cm, plus regular catches of redfin and trout.

Most visitors came from outside the Horsham and Southern Grampians region including 49% from other regional areas, 17% from Melbourne and close to 7% travelling from South Australia.

Another 1 million fish are planned to be stocked into Rocklands Reservoir over the next 18 months, including 500,000 Murray cod and 500,000 golden perch fingerlings - making the fishing experience even better and giving families even more reasons to make a trip.

Click here to read the full report.