Lake George (Weereewa)

Jo Greaves
Jun 6
4 min read

As you wind your way along the Federal Highway between Goulburn and Canberra, you will come across what can be described as one of Australia’s most unique lakes – Lake George, or Weereewa (meaning place of bad water) to the first nations people of the area.

Weereewa is one of 12 endorheic lakes in Australia, meaning the lake doesn’t drain into the ocean or into rivers, with loss of water occurring mainly through evaporation and seepage. The amount of water in the lake varies from season to season, but it has a capacity of 500,000,000m3 when full – although it rarely is these days. Most of the time there’s enough room for the sheep and cows from neighbouring properties to graze.

There are legends from first nations inhabitants of the area, the Ngunnawal people, regarding a bunyip lurking around and in Weereewa. But is this the cause of the mysteries of Weereewa?

Lake George from the FederalHighway, showing the wind farm on the opposite shore. Authors own photo January 2021

Weereewa has an interesting, and spooky, history. It has been linked with alien visits and ghost stories, deaths and disappearances. So let’s dive into the murky waters of Weereewa, and discover some of these tales….

UFOs and aliens:

There have been multiple reports of UFOs and alien beings associated with the area over the years. Strange flying objects have been spotted hovering over the lake by motorists and landowners alike.

Motorists driving along the Federal Highway have reported seeing a bright lights in the sky above the lake, emanating from an object travelling at great speed before slowing down and then speeding off again.

A farm worker reported seeing a similar, spherical shaped object actually land, and beings exit the craft. They were reported as being around 3m tall with small heads and wearing silver suits which covered their entire body. They were met by humans and an exchange took place between the two groups with cows being unloaded from the craft and taken away by the humans.

In 1974, 2 young women experienced the car they were in “drive itself” to a spot near the lake, escorted by a bright white light. The girls say they experienced ‘missing time’ but vaguely remember some human-like shapes and strange noises.

Ghosts:

There have been many fatalities over the years along the stretch of the Federal Highway that winds its way around the lake, so one could assume that also means there are ghosts lurking about too.

There have been tales of a ghostly young female hitchhiker, who asks to be dropped off at her parent’s place. She leaves her red cardigan in the car, but when the driver discovers this and goes to return it they find out that the young lady died years ago, and that was her favourite cardigan.

Our friend from the last blog post, the Collector ghost, has also been seen strolling along the shoulder of the highway, on the lake’s shorelines, and even into neighbouring towns like Bungendore and Queanbeyan. No-one quite knows who he is and why he haunts the area though.

Deaths:

Even though it’s hard to believe by looking at a half-filled lake, but there have been deaths in the lake. In fact, a number of people have lost their lives in the lake.

In July 1956, 7 cadets from the nearby Duntroon Military Academy were at the lake completing boat maintenance, when 2 of the cadets decided (against orders) to take the boat out on the lake. Extreme weather caused the boat to capsize, with the 2 cadets entering the freezing waters.

4 of their colleagues attempted to rescue them but also disappeared into the waters, whilst the other also entered the lake but then saw an approaching military vehicle and made the wise decision to instead flag the truck down for help. Only one cadet was able to be rescued, as the others had unfortunately disappeared. One of the bodies was recovered the next day, but the rest were not found until September.

In January 1958, the Lynch family from nearby Queanbeyan were picnicking at the lake and afterwards took their boat for an afternoon ride. After running out of petrol, the family attempted to row back to shore when sudden waves caused the boat to capsize.

Other drownings include a Sydney man who was fishing in the lake with a colleague. The boat they were in stalled, and they decided to attempt to wade ashore. Only one was successful, with the other man drowning.

In August 1992 two Canberran fishermen drowned when the dinghy they were in capsized. Being August, the water temperature was below zero and there were strong winds. Their bodies were not recovered for about a month after their abandoned boat was discovered.

Whatever the truth is about what happens in and around Weereewa, it is definitely worth the stopover at one of the many viewing areas along the Federal Highway on your next trip between Sydney and Canberra.

References:

Barrow, G. 2012. 'Magnificent' Lake George: The biography. Dagraja Press, ACT.