Once known as Sideling Creek Dam, now known as Lake Kurwongbah. This lake’s story begins not in nature, but in industry. In 1955, Sideling Creek was dammed to create this artificial lake.
Lake Kurwongbah was built to supply water to the Australian Paper Manufacturers Petrie Mill. This mill is now known as the Amcor Cartonboard Petrie Mill. The Pump House was built in 1955. It pumps water uphill into Lake Kurwongbah. This keeps the dam topped up, drawing water from the North Pine River.
If you walk along the dam wall, you will often see air bubbling up to the lake surface. This bubbling is from the Pump House operating. It is constantly transferring water into Lake Kurwongbah.
The Kabi Kabi people are the First Nations people of this area. The name Kurwongbah is believed to be derived from the Kabi word for Sideling Creek. It means black duck. The name was chosen in 1958. It was chosen by a local newspaper competition.
Lake Kurwongbah is about 4 km long. It is fairly narrow only a few hundred meters wide. The lake is part of the SEQ drinking water supply. The lake is used for many recreational activities. There is a slalom course beside Mick Hanfling Park. There is also a full length rowing course.
Fishing is permitted at Lake Kurwongbah. You will need to book a permit before you head out. You can fish from the shoreline seven days a week. Mick Hanfling Park and Lake Kurwongbah Day Use area are great spots.
Fishing from power boats is not permitted. You can fish from a paddle boat from Sunday to Wednesday. Anglers can expect to catch silver perch and bass.
Lake Kurwongbah is a shared water sports zone. Paddlers and skiers can access the lake every day of the week. They are separated by zones. The rowing course continues in its designated zone.
A paddle craft wash down facility was added at Mick Hanfling Park. All recreation users must wash their watercraft. This prevents the spread of aquatic weeds.
The lake is home to diverse wildlife. You might see grebes, ducks, cormorants, and terns. You can also spot rosellas, pigeons, and wagtails.
The lake has a capacity of 14.2 GL. Its area spans 3.2 square kilometers. The shoreline stretches over 20 km.
The dam and recreation facilities are open to the public seven days a week. From September to April, it is open from 5:30am to 6:30pm. From May to August, it is open from 6:00am to 5:30pm.
Remember, most of the land around Lake Kurwongbah is privately owned. Landing your vessel on private land is illegal without consent.
Whether you’re here for recreation, nature, or simply to enjoy the view, Lake Kurwongbah offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Take a moment to appreciate the transformation of this space. What was once an industrial necessity is now a recreational haven.