📍9 Best Things To Do At Maroon Dam: Kayaking, Camping & Other Visitor Info. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT VISITING MAROON DAM?

Nestled in the picturesque Scenic Rim region, just two hours south of Brisbane, near Mt Barney National Park, you’ll find the beautiful Maroon Dam. This spectacular gem offers the perfect lakeside escape with fewer restrictions than other locations, allowing you to make the most of this outdoor adventure playground.

Whether you love slow exploration and soaking in as much of the scenery as possible by kayak or sailboat or skipping over the water at high speeds, such as with a jet ski, or being towed behind one to do water skiing, wakeboarding or tubing, or simply having a picnic or BBQ by the shoreline, this beautiful lake offers plenty of option for all kinds of folk.

1. Paddling.

One of the best things to do at Maroon Dam is paddle in a canoe or kayak, as it provides the perfect opportunity for people to fully immerse themselves in the lake’s natural beauty and tranquillity. What also makes it great is it can be done at your own pace, either as a peaceful solo outing or as a united group adventure, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy solitude or bond with family and friends. 

You can also get quietly close to the shoreline and see animals, like kangaroos, wallabies, pelicans, egrets and herons hanging out around the lake. But don’t just keep your eyes peeled at the ground as there are often birds of prey, such as wedge-tail eagles and whistling kites flying above. 

Note: You can only launch from the approved launch area at the day-use area. Always keep a safe distance from other lake users and stay well away from the exclusion zones, especially near the dam wall.

2. Sailing.

Another thing this picturesque reservoir offers is the perfect playground for sailing enthusiasts. With the wind as your guide, it’s a peaceful way to explore this gorgeous place without the motors overpowering the ambient sounds of nature. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a novice, going solo or with a group, gliding through the water gives a sense of freedom and connection to the outdoors that is unparalleled.

3. Boating.

With its vast expanse of water, the quickest way to get around Maroon Dam is, of course, by motor boat. With the wind whipping through your hair, you can explore far-off bays and sights unseen by most lake visitors. Find a tranquil spot and listen to the harmonious sounds of grass rustling, the trees swaying, the water rippling and the birds chirping, while likely not having to come across another soul for some time. It’s a fantastic way to unwind, recharge and reconnect with nature.

4. Tubing/ Water Skiing/ Wake Boarding.

Of course, having a boat isn’t limited to just taking the vessel itself out. Level up the fun tenfold and take along some water skis, a wakeboard or a tube and take turns feeling the thrill of skipping across the water at high speed. These adrenaline-fueled activities are the best fun you can have at a lake and are great for bonding with friends or family.

5. Jet Ski.

Another fantastic way to pack in the exhilaration at the dam is by bringing along a jet ski. You can explore much more of the lake with one of these babies. The best thing about them is that, unlike water skiing, wakeboarding or tubing, you don’t need a boat to tow you along, so you can head out to the furthest reaches and enjoy skimming across the surface by yourself, with one other person on the back, or with a group of other if they have their own jet ski.

6. Picnic/ BBQ.

Another fantastic way to make the most of your time at Maroon Dam is by indulging in a delightful picnic The day-use area offers several sheltered picnic tables, allowing visitors to dine out of the sun and a reasonably amount of grassy areas if they have a picnic blanket or a gazebo to set up.

While there are no BBQs on site, you can always bring your own as we often do and enjoy an outdoor culinary experience like that. Both are a great way to enjoy spending time by the lake.

7. Sports & Activites.

If visiting with a brood, there are plenty of lakeside sports and activities families and groups of friends can enjoy, such as catch, hide and seek, shooting each other with water guns, which is always great when it’s hot and flying a kite. For some downtime, it’s a great place to read a book, play some board games, or watch the clouds go by.

8. Bird & Animal Watching.

Another fantastic activity you can do, both on land and water (with binoculars) is to go bird and animal watching. Look for kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, kookaburras, blue-faced honey eaters, noisy miner birds, pied currawongs, magpies, magpie larks, wedge-tail eagles, whistling kites, white-faced herons, great egrets, pelicans and more.

9. Take Their Dog.

What’s also great about Maroon Dam is that it allows people to bring their four-legged friends into the day-use area. Granted, they must be on lead and not allowed in the water or in a vessel that’s going out on the lake, but it’s one of the few lakes that lets you take your cute furball with you, which is always great when you can bring them along.

• There is a 6 knot speed lake’s northern and southern ends.
• You must keep clear of the exclusion zones and the dam wall. And always be a safe distance from other lake users.
• Lake users must not launch, beach or retrieve their paddle craft on land other than at the designated launching area at the day-use area.

Boonah.

Rathdowney.

Moogerah Dam.

Mt Barney National Park.

Mt Maroon.

Main Range National Park.

Where Is Maroon Dam?

Maroon Dam lies in the southern part of the picturesque Scenic Rim, approximately 23 km south of the Boonah and 30 km west of Rathdowney.

How To Get To There?

What To Take to Maroon 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 Maroon Dam.

• Type Of Dam: Ungated Dam.
• Year Completed: 1974.
• Maximum Capacity: 44,319ml.
• Catchment Area: 106km2.

Accommodation: Where To Stay.

• Budget: Lake Maroon Camping Ground or Gumridge (Campground).
• Mid Range: Bilyana Cottages.
• Luxury: Tuckeroo Cottages & Gardens.

Blue-green algae and recreation Cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae) are naturally occurring bacteria that live in lakes and waterways. Most of the time, algae exist in low numbers. However, under certain conditions, algae can grow rapidly, called an algal bloom, and sometimes produce toxins that can harm your health if you swim, boat or fish in algae-affected lakes. Play it safe when visiting any of our lakes. Be aware of blue-green algae levels at our lakes and the health risks associated with swimming, boating or fishing when algae levels are high. While your safety is important to us, it is your responsibility.