Boating is a popular recreational activity at some of Seqwater’s lakes.
A variety of permits and regulations apply for boating and fishing. It’s also important to make the necessary bookings if you’re planning on camping.
All activities on Seqwater dams are covered by the Boating Regulations set by Maritime Safety Queensland (www.msq.qld.gov.au). For an organised event involving on-water aquatic activities, an application for an Aquatic Event Permit must be submitted to Maritime Safety Queensland www.msq.qld.gov.au.
Seqwater has a number of boat ramps at our dams and lakes across South East Queensland. These boat ramps are generally open to the public from 6am to 6pm, noting this may vary as per specific signage at each site.
Permits
Boating permits are also required at many of our sites so it’s important to plan your trip before you go.
- Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams - Permits
Lake Wivenhoe Information Centre
(07) 5427 8100
Open Monday-Friday 830am-500pm, and Sun 10am-4pm
Note – Seqwater mails postcards to existing boating permit holders to remind them to renew their permits. If your boating permit is due for renewal, and you have not received or misplaced your postcard, please contact our friendly staff at the Lake Wivenhoe Information Centre. Also, please contact us prior to renewal if any of your details have changed. - North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale) – Sailing and paddle craft
Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association
www.lswsa.org.au - North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale) – Fishing from electric powered vessels and paddle craft
Pine Rivers Fish Management Association – Boating Access Scheme
www.prfma.com.au - Lake Kurwongbah – Rowing
Pine Rivers Rowing Club
www.facebook.com.au/PineRiversRowingClub - Baroon Pocket Dam - the boating permit scheme at Baroon Pocket Dam is suspended until further notice. Electric and manually powered boats are allowed at Baroon Pocket Dam.
Overnight stays on the water are not permitted at any of the water storages. Overnight stays are only permitted in designated camp grounds.
Operating a boat or vessel
All boats or vessels must be registered, insured and operated by a person who is appropriately licensed and experienced.
All vessels are to be operated in:
- a safe manner that is not likely to cause injury or unduly disturb others
- the designated area, for example, a “motor boat” is not to be operated in a “swimming” area, or in an area that will interfere with the conduct of an organised event
- accordance with the instructions of Seqwater staff and Rangers as appropriate.
Boats and vessels are only to be operated from designated launch points at recreation areas. Boats and vessels must not be launched, retrieved or beached on land around the lakes other than at the appropriate designated recreation areas. Other areas of the shoreline may be private land or may be subject to re-vegetation projects, and access to that land is not permitted.
Different types of vessels are permitted at different sites. If you are unsure if a particular vessel or recreational activity is permitted at a site, please check below, contact Seqwater at recreation@seqwater.com.au or talk to one of the on-site Rangers.
Aquatic weeds
Please prevent the spread of aquatic weeds by doing the following:
- Remove any visible mud, plants or seeds
- Eliminate water from equipment before transporting
- Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with the water (boats, trailers, equipment etc)
- Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water
Please see the Protect our waterways page for more information about ensuring that weeds do not contaminate our waterways.
Dam safety campaign
Seqwater and the Queensland Police Service have joined forces to launch a campaign encouraging the public to be ‘DAM smart’ on and around south east Queensland dams over summer. Seqwater Rangers and Queensland Police will be conducting patrols around our major dams. Please do your bit to ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones and other lake users.
Boat ramp locations
| Dam | Location | Address | Type of boating permitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson Dam | Recreation area | Atkinson Dam Rd, Buaraba | All boating |
| Ewen Maddock Dam | Maddock Park (northern recreation area) | Mooloolah Connection Rd, Mooloolah Valley | Canoeing / Kayaking |
| Hinze Dam | Off Little Nerang / Range roads | Non fuel-powered boating | |
| Baroon Pocket Dam | Northern recreation area | Narrows Rd, Montville | Non fuel-powered boating |
| Southern recreation area | Baroon Pocket Rd, Maleny | Non fuel-powered boating | |
| Borumba Dam | Recreation area | Yabba Creek Rd, Imbil | All boating |
| Bill Gunn Dam | Recreation area | Gatton-Laidley Rd, Laidley | All boating |
| Lake Macdonald (Six Mile Creek Dam) | Mary River Cod Park | Collwood Rd, Lake Macdonald | Non fuel-powered boating |
| Maroon Dam | Recreation area | Maroon Dam Rd, Lake Maroon | All boating |
| Moogerah Dam | Muller Park | Lake Moogerah Rd, Charlwood | All boating |
| Somerset Dam | Lake Somerset Holiday Park | Kirkleigh Rd | All boating |
| The Spit | Esk Kilcoy Rd | All boating | |
| Wivenhoe Dam | Hamon Cove | Brisbane Valley Highway | Non fuel-powered boating |
| Logan Inlet | Brisbane Valley Highway | Non fuel-powered boating | |
| O'Shea's Crossing | Esk-Kilcoy Rd | Non fuel-powered boating | |
| Wyaralong Dam | Eastern Trailhead Recreation Area | Wyaralong Dam Access Road | Non-fuel powered boating |
North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale)
Sailing, rowing and canoeing are permitted through membership of the Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association. For further information, please visit the association's website at www.lswsa.org.au.
Fishing (from non-fuel powered boats) is permitted through a permit scheme managed by the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association. For further information please visit their website at www.prfma.com.au.
Lake Kurwongbah (Sideling Creek Dam)
Rowing is permitted through membership of the Pine Rivers Rowing Club. For further information visit their website www.pineriversrowing.org.au.
Water skiing is permitted through membership of the Lake Kurwongbah Water Ski Zone Club.
Types of boating
Different types of vessels are permitted at different locations. If you are unsure if a particular vessel or recreational activity is permitted at a site, please contact us.
These are watercraft that are not powered by engines and include canoes, kayaks and sail boats.
These are watercraft that are powered by electric engines.
Watercraft powered by fuel-powered engines. These include jetskis.
Water skiing
Waterskiing is a popular recreation activity at the lakes where fuel powered boating is permitted. When water skiing at Seqwater lakes (including the use of inflatable toys and boards,) you must comply with all relevant rules including:
- The vessel operator must be appropriately licensed.
- The boat is safe and capable of towing skiers.
- Travel in an anti-clockwise direction (unless otherwise signed).
- Have all the correct safety equipment, and know how to properly use it.
- Always check the area before towing a skier – lake levels are subject to change, and there may be submerged obstacles at Seqwater lakes.
- Always carry an observer who is competent to watch the skier at all times.
For further information on waterskiing safety, please see Maritime Safety Queensland’s website.
Other activities
Please note that Seqwater lakes are not permitted to be used for landing or taking off in amphibious aircraft.
If you are interested in undertaking any other activities at Seqwater sites, please contact our Recreation team (recreation@seqwater.com.au) to find out whether the activity is permitted, and to obtain permission.
