📍10 Best Things To Do At Lake Cressbrook Dam: Kayaking, Camping & Other Visitor Info. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT VISITING CRESSBROOK DAM?

Nestled on the border between regions of Toowoomba and Somerset lies the peaceful Lake Cressbrook. Serving as one of Toowoomba’s three supply lakes, this serene place is also an idyllic outdoor recreational facility, making it a fantastic place to go for getting back in touch with nature.

From boating, kayaking, bird watching, animal spotting, picnicking, BBQing and my favourite, camping, this lake is perfect for solo adventurers, romantic dates, family outings and group bondings, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to reconnect with nature.

1. Soak Up The Serenity.
Kayaking Or Canoeing.

The tranquil waters of Lake Cressbrook provide a serene setting for a day of gentle paddling. With a surface area of over 517 hectares, the lake has no shortage of space and peaceful scenery to canoe or kayak.

However, a word to the wise, take your phone in a waterproof bag and earmark your launch point on your map app of choice (I am a big fan of maps.me) because even though my dad was supposed to paddle close by and within eyeshot of the public-use areas, he somehow ended up towards the other end of the lake and needed the dam’s workers to rescue him. Luckily, he was A-okay, but it was certainly an unexpected turn of events.

Note: Unfortunately, there’s no parking right by the water’s edge at the day-use area, and it’s on a bit of a slope, making carrying the heavy craft that much more challenging. However, for campers, there is a parking bay close to the shoreline and a gentler gradient, making it easier to transport the vessel from the car to the water and back again.

2. Explore The Furthest Reaches.
Boating/ Sailing.

For those who prefer to travel faster, boating on Lake Cressbrook is a fantastic alternative. Although it’s not as peaceful this way, you can explore parts of the dam that not everyone gets to see. Along with discovering more landscapes, there are also better opportunities to see shier animals such as koalas and herons, as the further you go, the less they are disturbed by humans out there.

Sailing is another excellent way to enjoy exploring the lake from the water. Combining both speed and tactical prowess, it offers a more dynamic and engaging experience as harnessing the power of the wind is the overriding factor for the pace travelled, the route taken, and the sights seen.

3. Chow Down On Some Food!
Over A Picnic/ BBQ.

Another great way to enjoy time at Lake Cressbrook is by having a picnic or BBQ. The day-use area has free electric barbeque facilities for visitors to whip up a storm and plenty of sheltered picnic tables to dine under, along with a huge grassy area with a long stretch by the shoreline for those who would prefer to pick their own spot to lay their blanket down on or pitch their gazebo, which is particularly useful if it’s busy like on a public holiday or weekend.

4. Enjoy A Scenic Stroll.

Lake Cressbrook is also home to some walking trails. While one links the day-use area to the campground, the rest of them radiate out from there and follow the shoreline before looping back around. It’s a lovely way to see the different scenery around the lake, especially for those who don’t have a vessel they can explore the water from.

5. Go Searching For Animals.
Kookaburras, Kangaroos, Koalas and More.

One of the best things about Lake Cressbrook is how many animals there are. My Dad and I were primarily at the campground, and there were so many kangaroos just hanging out there until sunset and all throughout the next day. (There were few other campers there when we stayed.) Some of them were even playfully fighting each other!

We also saw numerous kookaburras in the trees and birds of prey, such as wedge-tailed eagles and whistling kites riding the thermals in the sky above us. The dam workers said koalas also lived there, but unfortunately, we didn’t see any while we were there. But it’s a good idea to bring some binoculars to see if you can spot them in the trees.

6. Let The Kids Run Wild.
Playground.

If the youngsters still have bags of energy to burn, the day-use area also has a playground where they can run around to their heart’s content. It has plenty to keep them engaged and entertained from swings to slides and climbing frames while the parents rest and recover.

7. Do Some Family Bonding.
Various Activities.

For those travelling in a group, Lake Cressbrook is a fantastic place to bond with family and friends over a few games and activities. Bring along some equipment and enjoy sports like cricket, soccer, football, catch or activities such as flying a kite, playing tag, or hide and seek or if it’s hot out shooting each other with water guns.

8. Enjoy Some Alone Time.

As for people who prefer spending time by themselves, Lake Cressbrook offers a serene environment for quiet and relaxation. Spend time getting invested in a story with a book, work on a computer project or simply watch the clouds slowly drift by and change shape.

9. Camping.

One of the best things about Lake Cressbrook Dam was the camping. There are over 30 spacious sites suitable for all types of setups from tents, car camping, motorhomes, camper trailers and caravans. There’s even a site specially for wheelchair users so they too can enjoy the beauty of this place.

The tiered layout gives guests some privacy between the sites, which is helpful as there are only tall trees scattered throughout the campsite and no shrubbery. It also has a kayak launching area, a communal kitchen with electric BBQs, campfire stoves and a clean, modern amenities block with hot showers (Thank you, Toowoomba Council!). But the best thing about it was the animal encounters.

I already mentioned the gang of kangaroos we saw during the daytime, which was lovely. But what made our trip here so special was that when night fell, a super stealthy possum came over to us while we were having dinner. It was the cutest thing ever, and it wasn’t shy at all, so we were able to enjoy its company for quite some time.

10. Go Stargazing.

And lastly, stargazing. What’s great about the lake is how distant it is from the cities. Toowoomba is over 50km away, and when the light pollution is low, the stars shine. The region also has many clear nights, and we saw several shooting stars zipping across the night sky, including some long and bright ones! It was magical.

• Picnic tables, gazabos, electric BBQs.
• Boating, canoeing and sailing are all permitted on Lake Cressbrook.
• Launch from the formal boat ramp.
• 4 knots (7.25kms per hour) inshore and 8 knots (14.5kms per hour)
• Swimming is prohibited in all 3 of Toowoomba’s water supply lakes.

Cressbrook Dam Visiting Hours.

Lake Cressbrook has two different opening and closing times, depending on the time of year.

• During the summer months when the sun is out longer, access to the day-use area and water are 6.00 am to 8.00 pm between September and April.
• When winter comes around the the days are shorter, opening hours to the dam are 7.00 am and 6.00 pm from May to August.
• After these times, no water activities are permitted, including for campers.

Parking.

Cressbrook Dam provides visitors to its day-use area with plenty of long parking bays for those towing boat trailers and some regular-size spots.

Facilities.

• Well-established campground.
• 30+ grassy walk-to sites including 6 for car campers, vans and caravans.
  • One wheelchair-accessible campsite!
• Kayak launching area. (The boat launching area is at the day-use area)
• Hot showers & flushing toilets.
• Most sites have a woodfire BBQ and a tap with running water.
• Communal cooking and dining area with sinks, prep bench, electric BBQs and firepit.

Booking.

The Lake Cressbrook campground is a Toowoomba council site and is a traditional first come first served set-up, so you can’t pre-book online. Payment is per night per campground via a self-registration system at the campground entrance.

Just place the money amount shown on the information board into the supplied envelope and fill in a few details, pop it in the box, then go find your campsite. Make sure to have the right amount of cash on you as it’s unmanned so they can’t provide change and there are no credit card facilities.

Current cost as of December 2023:

• $25 per night, per campsite.
• $5 per person per night for community/education/youth/church.

✔️ Pros.

• I liked that the campsites were spacious, levelled and tiered, which is great for large groups and goes a long way in helping each site feel more self-contained, rather than having everyone crammed next to each other, especially the trees don’t provide much privacy and even more so when it’s busy.
• Some were also close to the road for easy access while others were further away for more seclusion and numerous sites overlook the lake.
• Suitable for a wide range of campers including one site for wheelchair users!
• We loved that it wasn’t a campsite you had to make a prearranged booking for. You can just rock up, pay in the envelope and pitch your tent like the good old days.
• The amenities block was one of the cleanest and most well-maintained outdoor ones I’ve seen and wasn’t covered in cobwebs, bird poop or other nasty stuff and didn’t look decrepit and beat up.
  • It was spacious, especially the shower cubicles.
  • Speaking of the showers, they were fantastically hot, which is not something you often come across with council campsites if they even have any. They also had several hooks and two small benches to put your belongings and ample natural light.
• The kayaking launch area is close by, and if there’s space, you can park close to it.
• So much wildlife! The possum encounter was a particular highlight.
• The large communal cooking and dining area is great for groups and socialising.
• Great for stargazing on a clear night.
• Can start the walking trails right from the campground.
• The lake’s closing time means no hoons arriving late and being obnoxious.

❌ Cons.

• There are numerous trees, but they aren’t the shady sort, so I highly recommend bringing a shelter to sit under.
• It’s nice that the kayak launching site is close but it does mean walking down slopes and through other people’s campsites if they are set up close to the water.
• As it is first come first served, you might have trouble getting a spot if you arrive late on a weekend, or public holiday or if there’s an event going on somewhere nearby such as the Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers.
• The lake’s closing hours restrict when you can arrive and leave.

If you’re looking for more things to discover, there are some fantastic places to visit near Lake Cressbrook. With another lake, two national parks and a vibrant mountaintop city sitting right on its doorstep, there’s no shortage of excellent things to do to accompany any outing to this peaceful lake.

Lake Perseverance.

The closest place to Cressbrook Dam is Lake Perseverance. Nestled amidst the serene landscape, Lake Perseverance is just down the road from Cressbrook Dam and like Cressbrook, it is also one of Toowoomba’s three supply lakes.

While the public can, unfortunately, not enjoy time by its shoreline as it is reserved for members of the Perseverance Aquatic Club, two beautiful day-use areas on either side of the dam wall make fantastic pit stops as they offer gorgeous views overlooking the impounded waterway.

The best thing about them is that they are just on the side of one of the two main roads leading to/from Lake Cressbrook, meaning visiting these lovely lookouts is easy as pie.

Crows Nest National Park.

One place not to overlook when scouting out places to visit near Lake Cressbrook is Crows Nest National Park. Located west of Cressbrook and north of Perseverance, this place is one of Toowoomba’s best gems for outdoor enthusiasts.

The small, pristine wilderness area essentially has one trail leading out from the car park, but it has many short detours to picturesque spots such as the Cascades, Bottlebrush and Kauyoo Pools and Crows Nest Falls to discover as the tracks make its way to the national park’s breathtaking conclusion, Koonin Lookout. This stunning natural viewpoint overlooks the gorgeous Valley Of The Diamonds. What’s remarkable about this vista is that it shows no signs of civilisation, an increasingly rare sight in this day and age.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for rock wallabies. I spotted these incredible creatures bounding up the sheer cliffs faces with astonishing ease at the Cascades just after sunset and it was one of the most impressive animal behaviours I’ve ever seen in person.

Luckily, there’s also a campground to stay at and increase your chances of seeing them along with a slew of nocturnal animals such as owls, frog mouths and possums.

Ravensbourne National Park.

If you’re looking for walking trails and picturesque scenery, Ravenbourne National Park is an excellent place to visit near Lake Cressbrook. The lush national park with cooling rainforests and towering eucalypt forests is home to several walking trails that are the perfect respite for when the days are swelteringly hot.

My favourite trail is the Palm Creek Circuit, which has a detour track leading to the Sandstone Overhang, a small overhanging rock face with a tiny cave at the base of it. However, while inviting, it’s probably best not to go crawling into it as it seems like the perfect hide-y hole for snakes.

Gus Beutel Lookout.

Gus Beutel Lookout is another must-visit spot. While it’s not technically part of Ravensbourne National Park, this beautiful car lookout and picnic area just outside its perimeter offers stunning views of the undulating hilltop landscape of the Lockyer Valley. It’s particularly picturesque at sunrise or sunset when the soft golden light is just touching the peaks while the valleys between them remain in darkness.

Toowoomba.

For many people, visiting Lake Cressbrook requires passing through Toowoomba to reach. Even if it doesn’t, Queensland’s largest inland city is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Serving as the gateway to the Darling Downs, this stunning city-meets-country destination is awash with incredible attractions showcasing its most notable historical roots and breathtaking natural beauty thanks to its position atop the Great Dividing Range.

A few highlights include the Picnic Point Parklands, which has gorgeous views overlooking the Lockyer Valley with Table Top Mountain being the most easily distinguishable landmark and home to one of the region’s best hiking trails and certainly one of my favourites, thanks to its stunning panoramic views. There is also the serene Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens and the fascinating Cobb and Co Museum, which takes visitors back to the region’s bygone days and the peaceful Spring Bluff historic train station and park to name a few more.

It’s also known as the Garden City and come September, Toowoomba transforms into a floral haven as the 30-day city-wide Carnival Of Flowers events puts that status front and centre for admiring eyes to enjoy the vibrantly colourful displays.

Esk.

Esk is another gateway to or from Lake Cressbrook, however while there is little to do in this small country town, it is one of the access points for the mammoth 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Australia’s longest heritage railways line track and a great way to explore the countryside on foot or bicycle.

Close to Esk, you’ll find several access points to the expansive Lake Wivenhoe. Known as one of Queensland’s largest water storage reservoirs, Lake Wivenhoe is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The calm waters are ideal for kayaking, boating, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, swimming and more, along with plenty of tables and grassy areas for picnics, BBQs, and get-togethers.

Where Is Cressbrook Dam?

The peaceful shores of Cressbrook Dam lie 57km northwest of the beautiful mountaintop city of Toowoomba and 41km east of the quaint country town of Esk where the Darling Downs and South East Queensland regions meet.

How To Get To There?

There are two main ways to get to Lake Cressbrook.

If you’re visiting from Toowoomba, it’s an easy drive north along the scenic New England Highway (A3). From there, you can opt to exit from Hampton or Crows Nest.

For the Hampton Route, turn east onto Esk-Hampton Road, which goes past Ravensbourne National Park, where I recommended dropping into Gus Buetel Lookout and enjoying views overlooking the rolling mountains of the Lockyer Valley. (If you have time, the trail to the Sandstone Overhang is also a lovely walk.) Then turn onto Mount Jockey Road, where no too long after will be the exit for Lake Cressbrook.

From Crows Nest, exit the Highway east onto Perseverance Dam Road and follow it until you reach the Cressbrook Dam turnoff. Alternatively, you can take a slight shortcut and turn onto the Pechey Forestry Road, which joins Perservances Dam Road. This way goes past the dam of the same name, and while you can’t go down to its shores, two lovely spots on either side of the dam wall have picturesque views of the lake and are well worth a little look-see. (I also highly recommend detouring to Crows Nest National Park and visiting Koonin Lookout, where you can peer across the Valley Of The Diamond’s pristine landscape.

If coming from Brisbane, Ipswich or the Sunshine Coast, you’ll have to pass through Esk on the western side of Wivenhoe Lake. From there, it’s a straightforward drive along the winding Esk-Hampton Road before turning onto Ravenbourne Dip Road, then shortly thereafter, onto Mount Jockey Road for the final stretch to the lake exit.

What To Take to Lake Cressbrook.

Interesting Facts About Cressbrook Dam.

• Type Of Dam: Reservoir.
• Year Completed: 1983.
• Maximum Capacity: 81,800 mega-litres.

Accommodation: Where To Stay.

• Lake Cressbrook Campground. (Pay with cash in the supplied envelope on arrival.)
• Crows Nest National Park Campground. (Pay online with QWPS)

For those looking for a beautiful lakeside escape near Toowoomba, Cressbrook Dam is an excellent contender, offering a well-rounded destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Whether it’s heading out on the water, camping by its shores, getting some alone time, bonding with family or friends, or encountering the native animals that call this place home, this gem on the border of South East Queensland and the Darling Downs between Crows Nest and Esk is sure to leave you fond memories.