looking out at a dam and lake

Lake Manchester

Cabbage Tree Creek, Brisbane River Basin

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 Manchester
Dam / Weir
Manchester Dam
River
Cabbage Tree Creek
Capacity
26.2 GL
Flood Mitigation
Area
3.2 sq km
Shoreline
16.4 km plus
Catchment
74 sq km

A small fresh water reservoir on Cabbage Tree Creek that flows into the Brisbane River above Ipswich.

Manchester Dam was originally constructed in 1916 making it one of the oldest dams in the region.

After a long portage in (1.2 km), a refreshing and clean lake awaits you.

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Features and facilities

Large and small bird hanging out

There are no facilities once you leave the day use area. Approx. 400 m after passing the dam wall, you will find two grassy areas that you can use to easily get to the water's edge There is the odd shortcut been made by kayak fishermen, but the grassy area is the recommended spot to put in.

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).

Like all dams, access is restricted directly above and below the dam wall.

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

Location Distance
First Put In
Spillway 0.4 km
First Put In
Old Hut 3.2 km
Branch Creek 3.4 km
Cabbage Tree Creek 2.5 km

Distances are approximate only, the lengths of the creek arms will vary considerably with the water levels.

Gate
Gate by the car park
Lake
Looking down towards the eastern arm of the lake
Dark clouds above a lake
Stormy skies

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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
  • Old Hut
  • Branch Creek
  • Cabbage Tree Creek
  • Boat Ramp
  • Kayak Ramp or Path
  • Viewpoint

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What to take

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

What to wear

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

What to take

  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Phone
  • Camera
  • Watch
  • Sponge
  • Rain jacket
  • Spare clothes / Towel

Safety

  • PDF (life jacket) *
  • Whistle
  • Paddle float
  • Bilge pump
  • Paddle lease *
  • Spare paddle
  • Light (night paddling)

* Highly recommended (aka required)
You should wear clothing and footwear that you can comfortably swim in.
These are for self or assisted rescues as there are places that you can't easily swim back to the shore.

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Wildlife

There is a wide variety of birdlife on the lake as well as many turtles. A number of wallabies were seen feeding near the water's edge

Wallaby beside the river
Whiptail or Pretty-faced Wallabies (Notamacropus parryi) were seen around the lake.
Bird spreading its wings
Australasian Darter (Gallirallus philippensis) spreading its wings.
Bird in water
Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) watching the world go by.
Bird in a tree
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) proudly posing for me in the Weeping Bottlebrush.
Bird
Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus). The NZ Māori name of Pūkeko seems more fitting for such a colourful bird.
Bird feeding from the water
A pair of Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) contemplating if I was a risk or not as I paddled by.