📍9 Best Things To Do At Lake Somerset, QLD Visitor Guide. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT VISITING LAKE SOMERSET?

Lake Somerset is one of two massive dams prolifically occupying South East Queensland’s Somerset region. Located in the central east, this spectacular dam which impounds the Stanley River is the smaller of the two and is a supplementary water supply for Lake Wivenhoe, Brisbane’s primary water storage facility, despite being built 14 years before it in 1959.

While Wivenhoe is the more popular recreational destination, Somerset is just as beautiful, and 3 lovely day-use areas scattered around its shoreline to visit and over 43km2 of surface area to explore by watercraft, plus the permissibility to use jet skis and go tubing, wakeboarding and water skiing that Wivenhoe doesn’t allow, Somerset is the perfect place to visit to go, especially if you love high-octane watersports. Here are the best things to do at this stunning lake.

1. Boating.

The fastest way to get around and see as much of this picturesque lake as possible is, of course, by boating around until your heart’s content. Launch from one of the three boat ramps, located at each of the day-use areas and rocket around the stunning scenery with the refreshing wind blowing on your face or take it as slow and easy as you like. It’s the best way to spend a few hours to yourself in remote sections of the lake that few visitors get to see.

2. Water Skiing/ Wake Boarding & Tubing.

The other fantastic aspect of having a motorized boat is the capacity to tow, thus elevating any experience you have with friends and family out on the lake.

Attach a rope to the boat and the other end to someone on water skis or a wakeboard, and watch them skip across the surface like a majestic ice skater or collapse into the water like a sack of potatoes. As their confidence levels rise, and tricks emerge, it’ll either leave you incredulous or laughing your ass off because as the stakes rise, so do the stacks and the epic fails.

Or just chuck a few of your gang into a tube and what inevitably will happen is sure to be just as exhilaratingly entertaining!

3. Jet Skiing.

Another way to get that adrenaline high, especially if you’re cruising solo is by taking a jetski out on the water and skipping across the surface like crazy. And if you’ve got a friend, combine that with the aforementioned tow-roped activities and you’ve got a thrill-seeking experience that’ll enthral both the jetski rider and the towee. Top-tier romantic experience? I think so!

4. Paddling.

Slowing things down ten notches, paddling is the best way to experience the peace and serenity of this gorgeous place without the sound of motors disrupting the ambient sounds. It’s the perfect way to reconnect with nature and enjoy a relaxing activity that doesn’t require expensive equipment but can create wonderful memories, whether it’s a solo adventure or a group activity. Plus, unlike the other water-activities, you have the option of going on the lake or on the river downstream from the dam wall.

5. Sailing.

When it’s windy, some other fantastic activities to do at Lake Somerset is sailing, windsurfing and parasailing where you can use the forces of nature to have an unforgettable time. Or get stranded in the middle of the lake.

6. Swimming.

At The Spit & Kirkleigh day-use areas are designated swimming areas where you can splash around and cool off from the spring and summer heat, which is a perfect activity most can enjoy. Elevate your experience by bringing some floaties or a beach ball. Maybe even one of those river tents you can sit inside of!

7. Picnic/ BBQ.

Picnics and BBQs are a classic way to refuel on your day trip to the lake. From the 4-day use areas, there are plenty of tables, free BBQs, and grassy areas to enjoy an outdoor lunch under the shelter or a traditional picnic with a blanket on the grass. Casual or romantic, it’s a great way to spend time with your loved ones.

8. Birdwatching.

Lakes are always a great place to see birds and Somerset is no exception. Pelicans, noisy miner birds, and magpies are all common sights. You may also see kookaburras, cockatoos and galahs. I once saw what seemed like thousands of, I believe black ducks, flying past in waves of huge groups. It must have lasted at least 20 minutes.

9. Take A Scenic Drive.

Whichever way you drive to the lake, there’s no shortage of incredible countryside scenery full of gentle curves, undulating scenery and views overlooking the water. But two places worth stopping for and getting out of the car are Somerset Lookout and Shiels Lookout.

Somerset Lookout is located between town and The Spit day-use and has views overlooking the dam wall. Meanwhile, Shiels Lookout is 8km north along the Esk-Kilcoy Road and is essentially a gravel pull-over bay next to the road. It’s unmarked and at the top of a hill, so it can sometimes be easy to miss, especially if you don’t know it’s there on the eastern side of the bitumen. But as that area is hilly, and you won’t be travelling too fast, it’s not too hard to pull over if you’re looking for it.

Permitted vessels & activities.

• Electric and fuel-powered boats.
• Sailing.
• Jetskiing.
• Wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing.
• Kayaking & canoeing.
• Stand-up paddleboarding.

Boat Ramp Locations:

• Double boat ramp.
  • The Spit.
  • Kirkleigh.
• Single boat ramp.
  • Westvale Road.
• Note: The lake’s entire northern section a few km past the Kirkleigh Day-Use Area has a speed limit of 6 knots. There are supposedly toilets on the peninsula about halfway between the Spit and Kirkleigh day-use.

Paddlecraft Launching Locations:

• Somerset Park.
• Westvale.

Lake Wivenhoe.

Downstream from Lake Somerset is Lake Wivenhoe, the largest lake in South East Queensland and the main water supply lake for Brisbane and the surrounding areas. With 10 lovely day-use areas dotted around its shoreline, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to visit to soak in the picturesque scenery and peaceful ambience. Enjoy more boating, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, BBQing and birdwatching opportunities from the most popular spots or the lovely hidden gems, both on the lake itself or the narrower river areas such as from Atkinson Crossing at the Spillway Lookout.

D’Aguilar National Park. (Southern Section.)

If you’re visiting Somerset Dam from Brisbane, one of the most direct routes to get there, if not the fastest, is through the southern section of D’Aguilar National Park. The through road is one of the best drives in South East Queensland thanks to its endless gentle curves and gentle changes in elevation all across the mountaintop. Dotted along the way are many picturesque lookouts, with my two favourites being Jolly’s Lookout and Westridge Outlook, numerous walking trails, and more wild swimming and kayaking opportunities on Enogerra Reservoir at Walkabout Creek.

D’Aguilar National Park. (Mt Mee Section.)

The northern section of D’Aguilar National Park also offers a beautiful forestry change up to the scenery. Known as the Mt Mee section, it lies east of Lake Somerset and getting there is another spectacularly scenic drive, with gorgeous country views to appreciate. Inside the national park, it’s mostly 4WD territory. It used to be that the through road was 2WD suitable, but when my dad and I last went, the northern half of it was a bit beyond a comfortable level of clearance to get through, so we ended up heading back to the Gantry.

However, if you’ve got a vehicle with higher clearance, there are some lovely finds along the network of roads, such as the Falls Lookout, Rocky Hole and Somerset Lookout, which you can alternatively hike to as well.

Where Is Lake Somerset?

Lake Somerset lies in the Somerset region of South East Queensland, 100km northwest of the state capital Brisbane.

How To Get To There?

From Brisbane to The Spit Day-Use Area:

From Caloundra to The Spit Day-Use Area:

From Toowoomba to The Spit Day-Use Area:

What To Take to Somerset Dam.

• 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 Somerset Dam.

• Type Of Dam: Mass concrete gravity dam.
• Year Completed: 1959.
• Maximum Capacity: 379,849 million litres.
• Catchment Area: 1340km²

With several beautiful day use areas scattered around its shoreline and a multitude of land and water-based activities, including boating, kayaking, jet skiing and swimming permitted at each, Somerset Dam is a beautiful place to spend quality time in nature.