Brisbane dams and lakes suitable for powerboats

Which dams near Brisbane allow powerboats?

Deep clean water, less traffic, ideal conditions, lakeside picnics, and stocked with fish – Brisbane dams sure do have a lot to offer. Oh, and don’t forget the iconic Queensland landscape full of native birds, roos and wallabies; and sunsets and sunrises that are as beautiful as any on Earth. Yep, we certainly are a lucky country.

If you’ve been thinking of exploring these inland wonders, or maybe you’ve only visited your local and want to know what else is around, then we have the guide for you. We’ve put together a list of local dams and lakes where you can take your new boat.

The freshwater dams and lakes inland from Brisbane city are excellent destinations for skiing and tubing, as well as alternative fishing hubs to the saltwater estuaries and waterways. They also make easy day trips with the family and friends, or quick getaways to camp under the stars and experience our natural backyard in the most vivid way possible.

Let’s take a look at which dams are accessible to powerboats. We’ve taken every effort to ensure the following list is accurate at the time of writing, however, it’s important to check the official websites for the latest information.

Some things to note:

At the time of writing, some boat ramps and dams were experiencing low water levels and were closed, or restricted to 4WD-only access to the boat ramps.

Before you go:

  • Ensure you obey safe boating practices; like checking the weather forecast, knowing and obeying boating rules, and having all safety equipment, including lifejackets.
  • Check your boat is in good working condition, and see a trusted boat servicing mechanic if needed.
  • Check dam water levels to ensure they are open for water-based activities.
  • Check boat ramp access, as they may be either closed or restricted to 4WD-only due to low water levels.
  • You may need a Stock Impoundment Permit (SIP) licence to fish in a dam that has been stocked as part of a fish stocking program.
  • Check opening and closing times on the SEQ Water website before you visit.
  • Only launch your boat from designated boat ramps unless stated otherwise.

The following dams are accessible to powerboats:

  • Moogerah Dam
  • Lake Atkinson
  • Borumba Dam
  • Lake Wivenhoe
  • Lake Somerset
  • Lake Dyer
  • Lake Maroon
  • Bjelke Perterson Dam (Lake Barumbah)

 

Moogerah Dam

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a licence

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 105 km
  • 1 hr 20 min drive

Lake Moogerah sits approximately 100km south-west of Brisbane making it ideal for day trips and weekends away alike. The scenery is spectacular, the lake is loaded with native fish stocks, and it’s also a popular destination for watersports. It’s home to native fish species of Australian bass, gold perch, silver perch and Mary River cod. Plus, with the right equipment, you can also catch the tasty redclaw crayfish. Here’s a great fishing guide of Moogerah Dam if you’re interested.

Tow your boat to A G Muller Park, approximately 1.5 hrs from Brisbane City, where you’ll find two boat ramps. Alternatively, book a stay at Moogerah Caravan Park to have easy access to the water for your whole visit. You’re allowed jetskis and powerboats, including for fishing and skiing. If you plan on fishing from your boat, be sure to get a current SIP permit. Things to be aware of are the restricted area to the north near the dam wall, and also the south-western third of the dam is heavily treed.

Map:

https://goo.gl/maps/pgCD1WhuakGfAj6n6

 

Borumba Dam

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 180 km
  • 2 hr 15 min drive

Borumba Dam is 181kms and 2 h 15m drive from Brisbane, making it one of the more distant dams for Brisbane locals. This distance makes up for it with a captivating landscape, some thumping fish, and some unique land-based activities that may just tempt you to stay for a couple of days or more.

On any given day you’re likely to see everything from kayaks and SUPs on the water, to jetskis, waterskiers and doughnut tubes, plus any number of fishos. The fishing looks particularly attractive. Previously stocked with saratoga, in 2017/18 the dam was further stocked with Australian bass, golden perch, Mary River cod and silver perch. And from the reports, some decent fish are biting in the dam.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHZOkfHnlkT/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Xu-k1n1Mx/

 

Wivenhoe Dam

Fuel-powered boating: Yes, with restrictions

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 80 km

Lake Wivenhoe is the primary water source for Brisbane and greater Ipswich, has a massive total storage capacity of 1,165,240 megalitres, and is just 80kms from Brisbane. Wivenhoe Dam does allow powerboats, however, access is restricted to low-emission outboards/engines (meaning FourStroke outboards and direct fuel-injected two-strokes). Additionally, there is a speed limit to not exceed 6 knots, ruling out any possibility of waterskiing or wakeboarding.

Wivenhoe is often referred to as the home of Big Bass in Queensland. There is undoubtedly evidence of fish being caught and quite large ones at that. If it’s your first time fishing, there are some great videos on YouTube about what to expect when fishing at Wivenhoe. You’re also likely to catch a few fork-tailed catfish, an undesirable fish to be sure, but at least you’re unlikely to go home without catching a fish.

While there are six picnic destinations around the dam, to launch a powerboat you’ll need to use the boat ramps at either Billies Bay, Logan Inlet or Hamon Cove.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B8dbc0yHtqR/

 

Lake Somerset

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane (to The Spit):

  • 111 km
  • 1 hr 30 min drive

Just north of Wivenhoe Dam is the ever-popular Somerset Dam which has an abundance of things to see and do on and around the dam. Accessible as a day trip from Brisbane, or as a weekend getaway at one of the many campsites or accommodation options, Lake Somerset Holiday Park is an excellent option for boaties because of its attached boat ramp and boat hire from the local tackle shop.

Unlike Wivenhoe, there are no vessel restrictions on Somerset Dam so you can quickly power to your chosen fishing spot or happily tow a doughnut or go waterskiing during your visit. Somerset Dam is stocked with Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, saratoga and Mary River cod, with some sizable catches happening regularly.

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Lake Dyer

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 85 km
  • 1 h 15 min drive

Lake Dyer, also known as Bill Gunn Dam, is primarily an irrigation supply just west of Laidley. It’s a relatively small dam compared to the other dams on the list, with a full supply volume of 6,947 ML. At the time of writing, this dam was at 2.9% capacity and is closed to all water-based activities. With only a small catchment area, when the water returns it will again be a watersports destination (only eight boats allowed at any one time). And while it has previously been a fish-stocked dam where bass and golden perch could be readily caught, the current low water levels are likely to have impacted the fish stocks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoiywQKnq45/

 

Lake Maroon

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 109 km
  • 1 h 30 min drive

Lake Maroon is an ever-popular fishing and watersports dam about an hour and a half south-west of Brisbane. Another fish-stocked dam, you’re in with a great chance of catching a decent-sized Australian bass or golden perch, and also redclaw (freshwater crayfish) if you have traps to set. If fishing isn’t your thing, although being a smaller dam than say Somerset, there’s still plenty of room for skiing and tubing, making Maroon Dam a great all-rounder within a short drive from Brisbane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wieo0gqLSiU

 

Bjelke Peterson Dam

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 252 km
  • 3 hr 7 min drive

Perhaps not for a day trip, but certainly worth a look nonetheless, Bjelke Peterson Dam (or Lake Barumbah) is a fishing hotspot with room enough for all the watersports you can handle. It’s a decent 3-hour drive from Brisbane to the boat ramps situated at the north end of the dam, which means it may be worth combining your visit with a stay at the local Yallakool Park campgrounds and accommodation.

The fishing at Lake Burambah is said to be hot, with everyone likely to catch a fish. Plus given the efforts in stocking the dam and the extra effort required to get there, you’ll also be in with a chance of catching a trophy bass, a fat yellow belly, or a thumping saratoga.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIdGrdDBiLW/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZDtKn-DOwc

 

Lake Cressbrook

Fuel-powered boating: Yes

Boat ramps:

Fishing: Yes, with a permit

Distance from Brisbane:

  • 166 km
  • 2 hr 17 min drive

West of Wivenhoe and managed by Toowoomba Regional Council is another powerboat-friendly dam at Lake Cressbrook. Boat speeds are limited to 4 knots (7.25kms per hour) inshore and 8 knots (14.5kms per hour) offshore, making it unsuitable for waterskiing or similar watersports. Fishing is reasonable, the dam having been stocked with Australian bass, golden perch, Mary River cod, saratoga and silver perch. However, landing fish at Cressbrook Dam can be hot and cold even for experienced anglers.

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