Lake Eppalock is a large reservoir situated in the Goldfields region of Victoria, roughly a two-hour drive from Melbourne, positioned between the townships of Bendigo and Heathcote. Constructed on the Campaspe River in the 1960s, it is the only water storage on the Campaspe River system and serves as a source of local drinking water. The reservoir is substantial enough that paddlers report it taking considerable time to fully explore, with one recorded paddle of 20 kilometres along a single section taking approximately six hours.

Multiple boat ramps are distributed around the lake, providing good access for kayaks and other small craft. The Kimbolton Boat Ramp, located within the Kimbolton Recreation Area and reached via a 1.5-kilometre dirt road, features a dual-lane concrete ramp and is noted as particularly suitable for launching kayaks due to the relatively shallow shoreline. Facilities at Kimbolton include undercover picnic tables, barbecue stations, toilet amenities, solar lighting, and a large car park accommodating vehicles with trailers. Dogs are permitted on leash but not in the water. Camping is available at caravan parks and on private land surrounding the lake with a landowner permit.

The lake is open to a wide range of water-based activities including high-speed boating, water skiing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Paddlers should be aware that motorised watercraft, including jet skis, also use the lake, so sharing the water with faster vessels is a routine consideration. A speed restriction of 5 knots applies across the lake when water levels fall below 16 percent capacity or 180 metres AHD. The lake is noted as a shallow system overall, which is worth keeping in mind when navigating by kayak, as shallow areas can appear unexpectedly.

Water levels have historically fluctuated significantly — the lake ran dry during a prolonged drought between approximately 2002 and 2010, restricting recreational use for much of that period. The spillway at the southern end feeds the Campaspe River and has been noted as a landmark by paddlers completing longer traverses of the lake. Wildlife in the area includes pelicans and active birdlife more broadly. The surrounding landscape reflects the broader Goldfields region character, with picnic grounds and open water providing a practical recreational environment.