The Great Lakes of Sumatra

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The Great Lakes of Sumatra

Many people in Australia have heard about the Great Lakes region of North America, a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes bordering Canada and the US. They may also have heard about the Great Lakes region of *******, interconnected lakes that bind Kenya, Tanzania and eight other east ******** nations, an area that includes Lake Victoria and Victoria Falls. But few people know about the Great Lakes of Sumatra.

They are five calderas — crater-like depressions created by volcanic eruptions that filled with rainwater over the thousands of years to create blue highland lakes. Set in West Sumatra province in Sumatra, the largest island completely within Indonesian territory, the Great Lakes of Indonesia are not hard to get to. Two two-hour flights from Bali, with a short stopover in the capital Jakarta, will take you to Padang, a port city in West Sumatra famous for its eponymously named cuisine: rich spicy curry recipes reduced in coconut milk.

Camera IconGreat Lakes, Sumatra. Credit: Supplied

The Twin Lakes area is also great for hiking. A one-hour hike from Lake Dibawa through fields sown with wildflowers will take you to Lake Talang, which at 500m in length is the smallest of West Sumatra’s Great Lakes. Visitors are limited to Padang restaurants and cuisine. There are a couple of Western-style cafes that use locally grown and brewed coffee beans, and a dozen-odd places to stay: either guest houses with rustic A-frame huts or basic hotel rooms. The Sovia Alahan Panjang, the newest and most modern accommodation property, offers both to its guests. From the Twin Lakes, head back down the Solok Valley and past the city of Solok to Lake Singkarak, two hours to the north. At 361m above sea level, the weather here is hot and steamy like Bali’s and the water is warm; there are half a dozen clean little private pebble beaches with big shady trees, toilets, picnic tables and kiosks that sell snacks. Entry is a few dollars. There are about a dozen waterfront Padang restaurants on the east bank where you can find something more substantial for lunch before continuing three hours north to Lake Maninjau.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconThe ring road around Lake Singakarak. Credit: Supplieddata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconAt a view point overlooking Lake Manijanou. Credit: Supplied

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