📍7 Best Things To Do At Borumba Lake Visitor Guide. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT BORUMBA DAM?

Near the picturesque Mary Valley town of Imbil in the southernmost part of the greater Gympie shire lies Borumba Lake, the stunning result of damming Yabba Creek to create the region’s freshwater source and lakeside recreational facility.

With a beautiful lookout overlooking the dam wall, a lovely picnic area, a fully concreted two-lane boat ramp and nothing but pristine untouched landscapes once you get away from the dam wall, this place fast became one of my favourite lakes to visit, making it the perfect place to visit when looking to exchange views of the countryside for lakeside scenery. Here are some of the best things to do at Borumba Dam that make it one of the best day trips from the historical gold mining city of Gympie and the spectacular coastal town of Noosa.

Note: Apologies for the terrible photos. It’s the first time I’ve ever forgotten my camera, so it’s phone photos for this post.

1. Paddling.

The ultimate way to experience the best that Borumba Dam has to offer is by embarking on a paddle adventure. What makes travelling on the water this way so rewarding that because the lake is not that wide so the picturesque hillscapes that form its perimeter are closer, plus the fact that they are completely untouched by human civilization only makes it so much more intimate, as this slow, human-powered method of transportation allows you to feel like you’ve gone back in time without the noise of motors drowning out the natural ambiance of this pristine landscape.

This allows you to feel so much more connected to the place as you move through it. And what’s more is that the further around you go, the more beautiful the scenery becomes. On the far side, the lake has many dead trees sticking out above the surface that were flooded once the dam was built, and the waterbirds and eagles that call this place home love standing on or nesting on their branches. And with so many over there, that also means the birdlife is more abundant in this area too, and with a kayak or canoe, you are able to get closer to them without disturbing them.

I was fortunate enough to see what felt like over 100 birds in one particular section, and what seemed like even more all taking from the water just after that, making me feel as if I was in National Geographic documentary, making the 2 hour leisurely kayak it took to reach there so worthwhile.

Note: While paddling is allowed, it doesn’t have the best launch area if you’re by yourself and need wheels to take your vessel down to the water.

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2. Boating.

The most popular way of exploring Borumba Lake is by going out in a motor boat. Fuel and electric powered vessels are allowed and it’s a great way to explore the furthest reaches of the lake quickly and fill the fresh breeze on your face and the wind in your hair. However the southern branch and the far end of the lake are heavily tree-d areas so you’ll need to go slow as it’s not just the ones that you can see that you need to avoid. You also need to be wary of the branches that are just sticking out of the water that are sometimes hard to detect and even worse ones that hide just below the surface that you can’t see at all.

3. Water Skiing, Wake Boarding, And Tubing.

Levelling up the boating experience, there’s nothing more exhilarating than grabbing a bunch of friends or family and towing them on water skis, tubes or wakeboards and watching them do some awesome tricks and even more epic stacks. The eastern end of the lake is perfect for doing these activities and is a great way to get the most fun and satisfying adventure in the great outdoors, where there’s sure to be some great memories made to be told and reviewed for years to come.

4. Jet Skiing.

Another reason Borumba Dam is a great place to visit is that it is one of the few lakes in southeastern Queensland that allows jet skiing, one of the greatest ways to spend time on the water. Rip around the water at high speeds while enjoying the stunning natural landscapes that line the shoreline as a solo adventure, with a romantic partner or with a kid in tow for an unforgettable experience on this stunning place is Gympie southern expanse.

5. Sailing.

Sailing in another fantastic thing to do at the lake. Whether you have a sailboat or a windsurfing board, it’s a lovely engaging way to enjoy being active of the lake while not having motors to ruin the peaceful atmosphere.

6. Enjoy The Scenery From The Lookout.

Back on land, the day use area features a lovely lookout that overlooks the dam wall. Marvel at the 343m ungated rock-fill embankment structure and the peaceful waters of the elevated Yabba Creek from this stunning spot, and perhaps even stay to watch the sun set over the hilltops behind it.

7. Picnic/ BBQ.

Along with being a gorgeous place to relax and unwind, it’s also a beautiful place to refuel. There are many sheltered picnic tables and a few BBQs free for the public to use with some overlooking the water, making it a wonderfully scenic spot to enjoy dining outdoors. There’s also grassy areas for those who prefer picnic blankets or if you have a campervan or the like, you could pull out your own tables and chairs and cook from the equipment you have in your vehicle right near the water.

• One large shelter with 9 picnic tables underneath along with many other smaller ones with 2 tables each.
• Several free BBQs.
• Huge grassy area surrounding the lookout.
• A seat overlooking the water’s edges near the boat ramp.
• Fully concreted double boat ramp.
• Non-potable water.
• Flushing toilets.

Borumba Lake Visiting Hours.

The dam is open daily from 6.00am to 5.30pm between May and August and 5.30am to 6.30pm between September and April.

Parking.

The day use area is fully sealed, with the top picnic area having numerous parking spots for cars. Meanwhile the lower area has 14 dedicated spaces for vehicles towing boat trailers and two rigging lanes, plus a lane for short-term parking and numerous other car only places.

• Fuel and electric boats are permitted, as well as jet skis, sailboats and paddle craft.
• Fully concreted 2 lane boat ramp.
• 14 parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers and 2 dedicated rigging zones.
• Travel on the lake in an anti-clockwise direction.
• The far western side and southern branch has many trees to navigate, so going slow through these areas is a must!

• Amamoor State Forest.
• Mary Valley. (Scenic Drive.)
• Imbil State Forest.
• Conondale National Park.

Where Is Borumba Dam?

The stunning Lake Borumba lies in the southernmost part of the breathtaking Greater Gympie region about 47km south of the lovely regional city of Gympie and 68km west of the stunning coastal town of Noosa and

How To Get To There?

From Gympie:

From Noosa:

What To Take to Lake Borumba.

• Drinking Water.
• Sunscreen.
• Hat.
• Sunglasses.
• Lip Balm.
• Camera/ Waterproof Camera.
• Food/Snacks.
• Drinking Water.
• Cooler.
• BBQ/Picnic Stuff.
• Beach Shelter/Gazebo.
• Beach Chairs.
• Sports Equipment.
• Paddleboard/Kayak/Canoe & Equipment.
• Binoculars.
• Book/ Music Playlist.

Interesting Facts About Borumba Dam.

• Type Of Dam: Ungated rock-fill embankment dam.
• Length Of Dam Wall: 343m.
• Year Completed: 1963.
• Maximum Capacity: 45,952 megalitres.
• Catchment Area: 465.0km².

Accommodation: Where To Stay.

• Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds.
• Borumba Deer Park.

The breathtaking Lake Borumba, with it’s untouched mountain landscapes, stunning lookout and picturesque day use area and many water activities such as boating, jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, sailing and paddling all being permissible, it is one is easily one of the best day trip destinations from major destinations such as Noosa and Gympie.