sunset

Lake Kurwongbah

Kurwongbah Dam

Access may be restricted due to low water levels, events or other safety concerns such as firefighting aircraft using the dam.

Please check with SEQWater for the latest updates before heading out.

What to expect

Lake / Reservoir
Lake Kurwongbah
Dam / Weir
Sideling Creek Dam
River
Sideling Creek
Capacity
14.2 GL
Area
3.2 sq km
Shoreline
20 km plus
Catchment
53 sq km

Lake Kurwongbah is part of the SEQ drinking water supply. The lake is about 4 km long and fairly narrow, never more than a few hundred meters wide. The lake is used for a wide array of recreational activities and it has a Slalom Course beside Mick Hanfling Park (boat ramp) and a full length rowing course.

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Features and facilities

The dam and recreation facilities are open to the public seven days a week at the time of writing, from 5:30am to 6:30pm (September – April) and 6:00am to 5:30pm (May – August).

Put in at Mick Hanfling Park (Torrens Road, Petrie) where there are two ramps as well as toilets, BBQ, shelters. There is a small day use area at Kurwongbah Park (Dayboro Road, Petrie).

Refer to the SEQWater Lake Kurwongbah guide for up to date information.

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Access Restrictions

Access is restricted directly above the dam wall as well as a section at the head of the lake past the raceway. This top section will often be dry.

Refer to the SEQWater Lake Kurwongbah guide for up to date information.

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Map

Explore the key locations in the map below. Most locations will have a photograph that can be seen by clicking on the icon or number in the map itself.

  • Spillway
  • Mick Hanfling Park
  • Kurwongbah Park
  • Kayak Ramp or Paths

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What to take

Ensure electronic devices and gear have waterproof containers / dry bags if needed.

What to wear

  • PDF (life jacket) *
  • Sunscreen / Chapstick *
  • Sunglasses *
  • Hat *
  • Swimwear or shorts †
  • Sun protective clothing (rashie) †
  • Water shoes †

What to take

  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Phone
  • Camera
  • Watch

* Highly recommended (aka required)
† You should wear clothing and footwear that you can comfortably swim in.

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Wildlife

Grebes, ducks, cormorants, terns, coots can be seen along with rosellas, pigeons, wagtails and many other birds.

two birds on the water
Pair of Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) swimming in a freshwater lake.
bird on water
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) would usually dive into the lake well before you would get close to them.
Bird on a tree
Welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena) resting during the heat of the day.
Bird in a tree
Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala) are common in many habitats.
bird by shoreline
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) foraging on everything from leaves, seeds, molluscs and invertebrates.
Bird on paddock
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) hunting for grass-hoppers.
Bird chasing insects on the sand
Blue-faced honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis) chasing insects around the aerial roots of the Mangroves along the shore.
Bird in nest
Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus) peeking out from its nest in a dead branch.
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White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) feed on crustaceans, fish, frogs, insects and worms.

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