The Lake is quite big, I estimate about 3 km long and 4 or 5 km wide and is part of the Euston Lakes Wetlands and Floodplain System which also includes Dry Lake (Yellowbelly) and Lake Carigay. An Endorheimic Lake formed by the Tyrell fault near Robinvale (Vic) that is, one with no significant outflow, the water level reduced only by evaporation. And boy does it evaporate! The combined annual evaporation loss of the System is around 25 Gigalitres or about half of the annual water requirements of all NSW and Vic Towns that are supplied by the Murray and Edward Rivers.
Benanee is an Aboriginal name for "Plenty of food and water", evidence of Native habitation dates back 40,000 years and there are burial grounds scattered around the Lake, the dead being buried head to foot in the sand two deep. Since the 1850s, the area has been devoted to Wool production and now the water is used to irrigate Citrus Fruit Orchards, Vineyard and Vegetables.
The Campsite is reasonably large, almost entirely dirt, without any significant shade but does overlook the water. And it is hot, early April and its 39c in the Hiace at 2pm. There are two levels, the upper level where we are all located and a lower one right beside the shore with plenty of trees. Why not down there you ask? Well because its deep sand and a real trap for the unwary. It does show that it pays to check a Campsite thoroughly before just driving in. Luckily, I had checked on "The Grey Nomads Forum" prior to arriving and was warned about this situation by other Members. One recounted how he had gone down there with a 4x4 and a Caravan in tow and became bogged to the axles, needing low range to get out. Needless to say no other Campers had gone down there for that very reason.
I spoke too early a car has just driven to the water and you guessed it, bogged.
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