Boondooma Dam, QLD: Lake Boondooma fishing & accommodation prices
Boondooma Dam in Queensland, Australia – also known as Lake Boondooma – offers good fishing and swimming. But it’s only really worth adding to the itinerary if you happen to be passing through the South Burnett region, and that’s frankly unlikely.
Boondooma Dam in the South Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, is a man-made reservoir, sometimes known as Lake Boondooma. It dams the Boyne River just below the confluence with the Stuart River, and its primary purpose is supplying water to the Tarong Power Station.
However, since Lake Boondooma’s creation in 1983, it has become a popular leisure spot. Given how far you are from the coast this far inland, it’s understandable that Boondooma Dam is popular with swimmers.
Boondooma Dam fishing permits
Boondooma Dam is also a good spot to go fishing. Lake Boondooma has been stocked with golden perch, silver perch, bass and barramundi, although the barramundi hasn’t fared especially well. It’s arguably a touch too far south for the species to thrive. Onshore fishing is not allowed near the dam wall, and a Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme permit is required for fishing anywhere else on the lake.
These SIPS permits are available online via the Queensland government website and cost from £10 a week.
Boating and kayaking at Boondooma Dam
Boating and kayaking on Lake Boondooma doesn’t require a permit, but you’ll have to bring the boats and kayaks yourself.
This pretty much rules out boating and kayaking at Boondooma Dam for most overseas visitors.
Lake Boondooma accommodation prices
Lake Boondooma accommodation is available at the Lake Boondooma Caravan and Recreation Park. This is not exactly a fancy place, but cabins and a bunkhouse are available for those who don’t fancy camping. Powered sites cost from $33 and Boondooma Dam cabins cost from $108. These prices were correct at the time of writing, but are obviously subject to change.
But is it worth visiting Lake Boondooma? As an overseas visitor, probably not. Boondooma Dam is one hell of a detour from the usual coastal route through Queensland. It’s even a significant inland detour from the nearest towns of any size, Kingaroy, Mundubberah and Gayndah.
Artificial lakes in Queensland
There are also several artificial lakes that do much the same thing closer to the Queensland coast. Examples include Lake Monduran, just off the Bruce Highway near Gin Gin, plus Somerset Dam and Lake Wivenhoe in the Somerset region west of Brisbane.
More Queensland travel
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Swim in the massive Yeppoon Lagoon, centrepiece of Yeppoon.
Snorkel off the beach on Wilson Island near Gladstone.
How long is the Bundaberg to Gladstone drive?