Copperlode Dam, Cairns: Swimming, picnics, wildlife & kayaking

Copperlode Dam near Cairns is a popular escape from the city in the Lamb Range. There’s no swimming here, but you can hire a kayak, have a barbecue and maybe see a cassowary in the rainforest.

What is Copperlode Dam?

Copperlode Dam is a fresh water reservoir that forms a significant part of Cairns’ water supply. It also doubles as a pleasant rainforest-surrounded escape for locals, although there are restrictions on recreational activities.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.

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Where is Copperlode Dam?

Also known as Lake Morris, Copperlode Dam is a 22km drive to the south-west of central Cairns, Queensland. This reservoir is in the Lamb Range, near other attractions such as the Crystal Cascades and Fairy Falls.

It is a popular picnic spot, with free public barbecues and toilets in the picnic grounds. Native wildlife, including cassowaries, are often spotted on the banks and in the surrounding rainforest.

Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance

From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.

Can I swim in Copperlode Dam?

In theory, Copperlode Dam is a perfect crocodile-free swimming hole. There are no crocodiles in Copperlode Dam – it is too high up for them.

However, as it is part of the city’s water supply, swimming in Copperlode Dam is prohibited.

That’s not to say you can’t do anything here, however. There is a lookout with tremendous views on the Lake Morris Road and there is a 6.6km return walk to Crystal Cascades.

Copperlode Dam activities

Other activities available at Copperlode Dam near Cairns include kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. Copperlode Fish and Kayak is in charge of the equipment rentals and also offers lake tours.

A one hour guided lake tour in a boat costs from $120, with half day fishing charters costing from $400.

A half day single kayak rental or stand-up paddleboard rental costs $75.

All prices are correct at time of writing, though they are subject to change in future.

You can also see Copperlode Dam as part of a half hour helicopter flight over the Great Dividing Range from Cairns Airport.

Other attractions in Cairns include the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium, Barron Gorge National Park and the Skypark Cairns bungy jumping site.