Lake Awoonga

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Lake Awoonga is located 30km from Gladstone in Central Queensland and boasts spectacular lake and mountain views and picturesque waterfalls. Excellent recreation facilities are provided free to the public by the Gladstone Area Water Board with shelter sheds and barbecues, walking paths and playgrounds. Enthusiastic anglers come to Lake Awoonga to catch the famed barramundi of which over two million have been released into the lake. The largest caught by November 2005 weighed in at a hefty 30.3kg! In addition, Lake Awoonga is one of the only dams in Queensland to have been stocked with mangrove jack. Lake Awoonga was voted the number 1 impounded fishing lake in Australia for barramundi and one of the top ten impounded fishing lakes in the world!

Alternatively, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Feathered, furry or scaled, Lake Awoonga is home to a thriving array of small animals, several of which are of conservation significance. Aquatic vegetation maintains a wondrous array of small animals that support the fish, eels, turtles, platypus and birds. Further from the water's edge and into the bushland live other species of birds, reptiles, and native fauna including bandicoots, rufous bettongs, kangaroos, wallabies, greater gliders yellow bellied gliders, and brushtail possums.

Lake Awoonga hosts 200 species of birds and is ideal for ornithology with highlights including the southern squatter pigeon (listed as of conservation significance) and a further fifteen bird species listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists. Lake Awoonga is arguably one of the most important near-coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia.

Lake Facts: at full height of 40m above sea level, total capacity is 777,000 megalitres. Because of fluctuating water levels, boat users of the lake should be aware that submerged hazards exist. The waters of Lake Awoonga are controlled by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Queensland Water Police under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act, enforced to prevent potentially dangerous or annoying activities. The onus for safety is on the owner and master of a vessel. Maps of the lake are available from Kalinda Café, Lake Awoonga Caravan Park kiosk or the boathouse near Kalinda Café.

Fish Stocks: Approximately 300,000 fish are released each year including 200,000 barramundi, 100,000 mullet and some mangrove jack. By early 2006 a total of over 2.8 million fish had been released into Lake Awoonga including 2.4 barramundi, 470,000 sea mullet and 13,000 mangrove jack. (These fish were bred at Gladstone Area Water Board’s Fish Hatchery facility.)

Tips for catching barramundi: • During peak periods: early morning and late afternoon (or low light) from September and March are ideal times to catch barramundi, although they can still be caught during cooler periods. • Lures are better than live bait – the higher the sun the deeper the lure • Best fishing spots depend upon the time of year, but generally the hotter it is, the deeper the fish tend to be.

Facilities: • Boat ramp • Boat hire (including houseboats) • Caravan park & camping grounds • Café • Walking trails • Scenic lookouts • Easy parking • Children’s playgrounds • Picnic & barbecue facilities • Parking and toilet for the disabled Local Highlights: • Excellent all year round for barramundi and other fishing • Swimming spots ideal for the family • Enjoy a picnic or barbecue • Lunch at Kalinda Café on the deck and enjoy the views • Hire a houseboat, BBQ boat or fishing charter, or stay at the caravan park/camping grounds • Watersports: go sailing, canoeing or skiing (hire boats available) • Photograph the wildlife or go bird-watching (around 25% of Australia’s bird species can be found in the region).

CAMPING: Camping is permitted at only two places on Lake Awoonga (1) the Lake Awoonga Caravan Park in the main recreation area, and (2) the Boynedale Bush Camp.

(1) Lake Awoonga Caravan Park: Provides full caravan park facilities including showers/toilets etc. (Directions: the Lake Awoonga Recreation Area is located about 20 minutes drive from Gladstone, via Benaraby off the Bruce Highway. If traveling north, just before the intersection to Gladstone, there is a turn-off on the left.) (2) Boynedale Bush Camp: Boynedale Bush Camp is a basic bush camping facility, providing a composting toilet, fire rings, wheelie bins, picnic tables and shelters. Campers are permitted to stay for up to seven days, and sites are on a “first come – first served” basis. Basic boat access for boats is provided nearby. (Directions: Turn onto Gladstone-Monto Road west of Calliope, Central Queensland and drive for 26km – watch for signs for the site on the left. Turn left, then drive1.9km to the camping area.) Note the following: 1. There is NO potable water - visitors should bring their own water supply. 2. Access roads are unsealed and may become slippery or boggy during wet weather. 3. Visitors are discouraged from bringing pets to the area as Lake Awoonga is a wildlife sanctuary. Small dogs may be allowed at the bush camp, but must be kept strictly under control at all times. 4. There is no electricity supply - portable generators are allowed as long as they don’t disturb other campers.