Lake Kurwongbah is a small drinking water lake north of Brisbane where you can picnic, paddle and fish from the shore. It sits beside Lawnton, Kallangur, Petrie and Warner and is run by Seqwater, which opens the lake and its parks to the public seven days a week.
There is no swimming and no dogs, but the free BBQs at Mick Hanfling Park and the paddle craft zone make it an easy day out for families and paddlers.
Picnics and BBQs at Lake Kurwongbah
There are two picnic spots. Mick Hanfling Park is on Torrens Road, Petrie. Seqwater describes it as having picnic tables, shelters and free BBQs.
Kurwongbah Park is on Dayboro Road, Petrie. It is a quieter place to sit and enjoy the view of the water, and the Seqwater map marks a shelter and a picnic platform there. The dam wall and spillway are shown on the same map.
Take your rubbish with you or use the bins provided. The lake is a drinking water supply, so Seqwater asks visitors to leave facilities as they find them.
Paddling at Lake Kurwongbah
Public paddle craft, including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards, can use the lake seven days a week, but only inside the designated paddle craft zone. There are two launch points at Mick Hanfling Park, and paddle craft can only be launched from them. Paddle craft with electric or fuel powered motors are not permitted.
The lake is shared. Water skiing is for members and guests of the Lake Kurwongbah Water Ski Zone and Waterski Queensland only, and the Pine Rivers Rowing Club has priority on the rowing course in the eastern to south eastern part of the lake. Paddlers must give way to rowers at all times, because rowers travel backwards and cannot see you. Stay inside your zone, and wear a lifejacket at all times.
Launching and boating rules
To protect the banks around the lake, boats and paddle craft can only be launched from the signed launch points. Do not launch, retrieve or beach on other land around the lake. All activities on Seqwater lakes are covered by the boating regulations set by Maritime Safety Queensland, so keep a safe distance from other lake users.
The Seqwater map also marks a designated rowing course where stopping and fishing are not allowed, and a slalom course that is for event and training use only. Stay out of both.
A working water supply
Lake Kurwongbah is mainly a drinking water supply. Seqwater is one of the few bulk water providers in Australia that manages open catchments, which is why the community can paddle and fish on water that also supplies homes. Seqwater asks visitors to protect the drinking water by taking litter home, leaving facilities as they found them and cleaning their gear.
Seqwater also has a public safety app that combines lake closure updates, recreation notices and weather alerts. Search for Seqwater on the App Store or Google Play.
Fishing at Lake Kurwongbah
You can fish from the shore at Mick Hanfling Park and Kurwongbah Park, and from paddle craft inside the paddle craft zone. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required and must be bought before you fish. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries runs the scheme, and you can buy a permit through its website at daf.qld.gov.au.
Much of the land around the lake is private property, and fishing from it is not allowed. Put fishing line and hooks in a bin so wildlife is not harmed.
Rules and safety
- No swimming at Lake Kurwongbah.
- No dogs. Seqwater says there are no dog on-leash areas at the lake and asks you to leave pets at home.
- Opening hours: 5:30 am to 6:30 pm from September to April, and 6:00 am to 5:30 pm from May to August.
- Blue-green algae: check the levels on the Seqwater website before you boat or fish.
- Closures: check Seqwater’s recreation notices or app before you leave.
Planning your visit
- What to bring: A lifejacket if you are paddling, your fishing permit if you are fishing, and something to take your rubbish home in.
- Facilities: Shelters, picnic tables and BBQs at Mick Hanfling Park; wash-down facilities on site.
Getting to Lake Kurwongbah and parking
Mick Hanfling Park is off Torrens Road, Petrie, and Kurwongbah Park is on Dayboro Road, Petrie. The lake is about 40 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD. Seqwater lists the lake as accessible from Brisbane’s northern suburbs and the southern parts of Moreton Bay.
For park maps, rules and current alerts, see the Seqwater Lake Kurwongbah page.
Nearby
- Lake Samsonvale – the other big Seqwater lake close by, with picnics, fishing and paddling.
- Old Petrie Town – markets, museums and heritage buildings.
- Eatons Hill Hotel – live music, dining and a kids area.
- North Lakes – lake, playgrounds and parks.
- More in lakes and rivers and across Moreton Bay.
You might also like
- Samford Valley – village, walks and scenic drives.
- Northshore Riverside Park (Hamilton)
- Gold Creek Reservoir (Brookfield)
Quick answers
Can you swim in Lake Kurwongbah?
No. Seqwater says there is no swimming at Lake Kurwongbah.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Kurwongbah?
No. Seqwater says there are no dog on-leash areas at the lake and asks visitors to leave pets at home.
Do you need a permit to fish at Lake Kurwongbah?
Yes. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required and must be bought before you fish. You can fish from the shore at Mick Hanfling Park and Kurwongbah Park, or from a paddle craft in the designated zone.
Can you kayak on Lake Kurwongbah?
Yes, seven days a week in the designated paddle craft zone, launching from the two launch points at Mick Hanfling Park. Wear a lifejacket and give way to rowers. Check Seqwater’s alerts first, because Mick Hanfling Park is under upgrade works until about 10 December.
When is Lake Kurwongbah open?
Daily, 5:30 am to 6:30 pm from September to April and 6:00 am to 5:30 pm from May to August.
0 Comments