Lake Leschenaultia, Recreational lake in Chidlow, Western Australia

Lake Leschenaultia is a man-made reservoir off Rosedale Road in Chidlow, in the Perth Hills about 45 minutes by car from Perth. Its flat blue-grey water runs from a low shoreline of pale sand and timber to a far bank of dense green trees, with a wooden jetty of light-coloured boards on the left and a pontoon replacing the 40 m timber jetty removed in 2006.

The lake was built in 1897 as a dam to supply water to steam trains traveling through the region. After approximately 50 years this function ended, and the site gradually transformed into a recreational destination.

The name Leschenaultia comes from the lake water's colour resembling the Blue Leschenaultia flower. Since early 2007 the lake has hosted a monthly local market, and many locals learned to swim here before the 1960s, when no public pools existed nearby.

The lake lies off Rosedale Road in Chidlow, about 45 minutes by car from Perth. Camping, canoe hire and picnic-area hire carry fees, while entry to the recreation area is free. Dogs and fishing are not permitted. Facilities include a café, kiosk, toilets, playground, barbecues, grassed areas and a camp kitchen.

The 40-metre timber jetty built in 1971 was removed in 2006 for safety reasons and replaced by a pontoon; the jetty in the photograph is that later structure. The lake has hosted a monthly local market since early 2007.