Ooty Boat House, also known as Ooty Lake, is a man-made lake and a popular tourist attraction in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1824 by damming the mountain streams flowing down the Ooty valley. The lake covers an area of 65 acres and is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and a railway line. The boat house offers boating facilities with paddle boats, row boats and motor boats. It also features a garden, a mini train, an amusement park, a wax museum and a 7D cinema.
The boat house is a place of fun and adventure for families and children, as well as a scenic spot for nature lovers and photographers. Visit during One day Trip Ooty local sightseeing package
Location of Ooty Boat House
Ooty Boat House is located on the North Lake Road, about 1 km from the Ooty bus stand and railway station. It is situated in Ooty, a hill station in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, about 200 km from Coimbatore. Ooty is known for its pleasant climate, green hills, tea gardens and colonial charm. Ooty is home to many other tourist attractions such as Doddabetta Peak, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Thread Garden and Pykara Lake.
Timing / Entry Fees Ooty Boat House
Ooty Boat House is open for visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Friday, when it is closed for prayers. The entry fee for visiting Ooty Boat House is Rs. 15 for Indian citizens and Rs. 560 for foreign nationals. Children below 5 years of age are exempted from paying any fee.
The boating charges are as follows:
- Paddle boat 2 seater: Rs. 170 + Rs. 170 deposit (refundable)
- Paddle boat 4 seater: Rs. 260 + Rs. 260 deposit (refundable)
- Motor boat 8 seater: Rs. 520 + Rs. 40 driver charge
- Motor boat 10 seater: Rs. 640 + Rs. 40 driver charge
- Motor boat 15 seater: Rs. 950 + Rs. 40 driver charge
- Row boat 3+1 seater: Rs. 205 + Rs. 45 driver charge + Rs. 250 deposit (refundable)
- Row boat 5+1 seater: Rs. 245 + Rs. 45 driver charge + Rs. 290 deposit (refundable)
The other activity charges are as follows:
- Mini train: Rs. 25 per person
- Wax museum: Rs. 50 per person
- Horror house: Rs. 100 per person
- Mirror house: Rs. 100 per person
- Dashing car: Rs. 50 per person
- Break-dance: Rs. 50 per person
- Columbus: Rs. 50 per person
- Cycling: Rs. 20 per hour
How to Reach Ooty Boat House from City Centre
Ooty Boat House is about 1 km from the city centre of Ooty. Visitors can reach the lake by various modes of transport, such as:
- Auto-rickshaw: This is the most common and convenient way to reach Ooty Boat House from the city centre. Auto-rickshaws are easily available and charge around Rs. 50-100 for a one-way trip.
- Bus: There are buses that ply between the city centre and Ooty Boat House at regular intervals. The bus fare is around Rs. 10-20 per person.
- Taxi: Visitors can also hire a taxi or a cab to reach Ooty Boat House from the city centre. The taxi fare may vary depending on the distance and traffic, but it usually ranges from Rs. 200-400 for a one-way trip.
Things to Do / Must See Ooty Boat House
Ooty Boat House is a fun-filled destination that offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the things to do and see at Ooty Boat House are:
- Enjoy boating on the lake: The main attraction of Ooty Boat House is boating on the lake, which is an elegant way to enjoy the serene view and rich biodiversity of the area. Visitors can choose from paddle boats, row boats and motor boats, depending on their preference and budget. The boating time is 20 to 30 minutes per ride. The lake also hosts boat races and boat pageantry during the summer season in May.
- Explore the garden and amusement park: The boat house also has a garden and an amusement park, which are ideal for children and families. The garden has a mini train, which takes the visitors around the lake. The amusement park has a wax museum, a horror house, a mirror house, a Columbus ride, a break-dance and dashing cars. The park also has a 7D cinema, which offers a thrilling and immersive experience of movies.
- Visit the deer park and thread garden: Near the boat house, there is a deer park, which has sambars, hares, chitals and water birds. The park is a good place to observe the wildlife and nature of Ooty. There is also a thread garden, which is opposite to the boat house. The thread garden showcases various types of flowers made of thread, which are hand-woven by local artisans. The thread garden is a unique and creative attraction of Ooty.
- Enjoy the view of Doddabetta Peak: From the boat house, visitors can also enjoy the view of Doddabetta Peak, which is the highest point in the Nilgiris district. The peak is about 12 km from the boat house and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Significance of Ooty Boat House
Ooty Boat House is a significant place for Indians, as it is a symbol of their tourism and entertainment industry. It is also a significant place for nature lovers, as it is a place of scenic beauty and ecological diversity. It is also a significant place for culture enthusiasts, as it showcases the local art and craft of Ooty.
According to history, Ooty Boat House was constructed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1824 by damming the mountain streams flowing down the Ooty valley. He wanted to create an artificial lake for fishing and boating purposes. He also built a bungalow near the lake, which is now known as Stone House. The lake was originally much larger than its present size, but it gradually shrunk due to silting and encroachment. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation took over the lake in 1973 and introduced boating facilities and other attractions as a tourist destination.
FAQ’s
Q: When was Ooty Boat House built?
A: Ooty Boat House was built by John Sullivan in 1824.
Q: What are the materials used for building Ooty Boat House?
A: Ooty Boat House is made of stone, brick and wood.
Q: Why is Ooty Boat House called Boat House?
A: Ooty Boat House is called Boat House because it offers boating facilities on the lake.
Conclusion
Ooty Boat House, also known as Ooty Lake, is a man-made lake and a popular tourist attraction in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1824 by damming the mountain streams flowing down the Ooty valley. The lake covers an area of 65 acres and is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and a railway line. The boat house offers boating facilities with paddle boats, row boats and motor boats. It also features a garden, a mini train, an amusement park, a wax museum and a 7D cinema. The boat house is a place of fun and adventure for families and children, as well as a scenic spot for nature lovers and photographers.
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