Onthaalpoort Donkmeer
Tourist information office and contemporary museum at the Donkmeer in Berlare, with a playful hands-on exhibition about peat, nature and tourism.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Onthaalpoort Donkmeer is located on the shore of the Donkmeer in Berlare. It is a modern tourist information office and at the same time a contemporary museum. Visitors find all tourist information there, as well as free cycling and walking routes for Berlare and the surrounding area.
The Donkmeer is a large, shallow lake that came into being through peat extraction, in the old meander of the Scheldt. The exhibition in the gateway tells how the lake formed, why the region is known for its eels, how the duck decoy worked and how tourism began here. The rare birds and fish around the lake are also covered.
The exhibition “Van turf tot toerisme” (From Peat to Tourism) is designed as a hands-on route with assignments and was created in cooperation with Erfgoedcel Dijk92. The gateway is also the starting point of many walking and cycling routes through the Kalkense Meersen and around the Donkmeer.
Highlights
- Playful hands-on exhibition “Van turf tot toerisme” on the origin of the Donkmeer
- Story of the duck decoy, the eel, and the rare birds and fish
- Free admission and free cycling and walking routes
- Rental of (children’s) bicycles, tandems and games for minigolf, kubb and petanque
Permanent exhibition
- Van turf tot toerisme: het verhaal van het Donkmeer – Playful hands-on exhibition about the origin of the Donkmeer, the animals and plants of the area, how the duck decoy worked and the tourist spots around the lake.
- Operated by
- Gemeente Berlare
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
The playful exhibition in the gateway is free. Reservations are only needed for (school) groups.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The exhibition is a playful, hands-on show with assignments: children play, investigate and discover with all their senses. Ideal for families with children and for classes in the second stage of primary school.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Kapelleplein (Donk)
Line 54 (Lokeren – Overmere – Aalst) to the Kapelleplein stop in Donk.
By car
Free parking
There are around 280 free parking spaces, as many walking and cycling routes start and end here.
Address: Donklaan 123, on the A. Nelenpad. By car, take exit 19 Aalst on the E40, or exit 11 (Lochristi/Beervelde) or 12 (Lokeren) on the E17. The gateway lies between walking junctions 8 and 9 and by cycle junction 66; there is a bicycle rack.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Public toilets are accessible during opening hours. Outside there is a bicycle pump and two charging points for electric bicycles. Bicycles, tandems and games (minigolf, kubb, petanque) can be rented.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School classes and other groups book in advance. On request the team puts together a tailor-made programme for a half or full day in Berlare. |
