[1] Watchem has a thriving lake based within walking distance from the town centre.

Another story is that 'Watchem' came from the aboriginal word “place the hop bush (Dodonaea) grows”[3] However, the name came to be the one designated to the town according to early documentation such as “land Department maps, road surveys and building applications” has been around since at least the 1860s.

[4] The land was also home to the Banynong tribe who were situated alongside the Watchem Lake area.

[4] In 1874, Martin Donohue completed the first wool clip for this area, covering several properties on the route between Watchem and Ballarat.

When open, swimmers may simply show up with a towel and suitable swimwear.It is completely outdoors, although it still offers seated arrangements under the shade.