Ewen Maddock Dam: Maddock Park, Swimming, Paddling and Trails

Ewen Maddock Dam is a Seqwater lake near Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast, and Maddock Park on its shore has a sandy swimming area, free BBQs, picnic shelters and a playground. It is also a launch point for kayaks and canoes and the start of more than 9 km of walking, mountain bike and horse trails.

The dam was built across Addlington Creek, a tributary of the Mooloolah River, and finished in the early 1980s. It is part of South East Queensland’s drinking water supply. Seqwater lets the public use the shoreline for recreation, so the rules below protect the water as well as you.

Picnics, BBQs and the playground at Maddock Park

Maddock Park is off Mooloolah Connection Road and is the main place to stop. You will find picnic tables, shelters and free BBQs, plus a playground and a sandy beach beside the water. Seqwater’s upgrade work reopened the park with new shelters, tables and benches, barbecues, playgrounds, connected concrete paths and a beach sitting area.

The park is named after Ewen Maddock, an early settler and local pioneer. The Coach House at the park entrance is a replica of the family cottage, Koongamoon, which the Maddock family built on the banks of the creek.

A second, quieter picnic spot is the Ornamental Wetlands on the southern side of the lake, off Steve Irwin Way. It has picnic tables and parking, and it shows how wetlands help keep a water catchment healthy.

Can you swim at Ewen Maddock Dam?

Yes, but only in the designated swimming area at Maddock Park, which is marked with buoys. There are no lifeguards, so adults need to watch children at all times. Seqwater’s safety advice is to never dive where you cannot see the bottom, to wear a lifejacket where you can, and not to swim after drinking alcohol.

Still water can hide submerged obstacles and uneven ground. Stay out of any buoyed-off area elsewhere on the lake: these are restricted for everyone, including swimmers, canoes and kayaks. Dogs and other animals must not enter the water at any time.

Paddling and fishing

Only non-motorised craft are allowed, so the lake suits kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, sailing dinghies and stand up paddleboards. Launch and retrieve only at the designated recreation area at Maddock Park, because most of the land around the lake is private. Keep away from the dam wall and any exclusion zones, and wash down your craft before you leave to stop the spread of aquatic weeds. A wash bay was built at the park for this.

You can fish from a paddle craft or from the platform on the boardwalk at Maddock Park. Seqwater’s fishing page says a fishing permit is required and must be bought before you fish (a Queensland Stocked Impoundment Permit), though older Seqwater material said otherwise, so check Seqwater’s current rules. Take your fishing line and hooks home with you, because they harm the lake’s wildlife.

Trails at Ewen Maddock Dam

There are more than 9 km of multi-use trails around the lake, shared by walkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders. Seqwater’s trail map shows a Main Track of about 8 km that runs from Maddock Park to Gympie Street North, plus shorter loops of about 1 km and 800 m, and a car park for the multi-use trails.

The boardwalk and the narrow walking tracks near Maddock Park are for walkers only. On the shared trails everyone gives way to horse riders, and mountain bike riders give way to pedestrians. Stay on the marked trails and obey the signs.

Carry water and a first aid kit, check the weather before you go, and tell someone your plans if you walk alone. Seqwater does not publish trail grades, so allow extra time on your first visit.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on a leash at Maddock Park and on the surrounding trails. Keep your dog out of the lake, the foreshore and the launch points, and bring bags to clean up, because there are bins on site. Dogs and horses can disturb the wildlife, so keep control of them.

Camping near Ewen Maddock Dam

There is no camping at Maddock Park itself. Seqwater lists a privately run campground at the dam, and you book and ask questions directly with the operator. Camping is allowed only in designated camping areas, and overnight stays on the water are not permitted.

Planning your visit

• How long: an hour or two for a swim and picnic, or a half day if you add the boardwalk and one of the short loops.
• Best time: the park is open longer in the warmer months, so plan a swim between September and April.
• What to bring: drinking water, sun protection, a lifejacket for paddlers and a Stocked Impoundment Permit if you plan to fish.
• Cost: entry is free.
• Contact: Seqwater on 1300 737 928.

Check Seqwater’s recreation and safety notices before you go for closures and blue-green algae warnings.

Getting to Ewen Maddock Dam and parking

Maddock Park is off Mooloolah Connection Road, about 15 minutes by car from the centre of Landsborough. From the Brisbane CBD it is about 87 km, or about 75 minutes by car without traffic. There is car parking at the park, at the Ornamental Wetlands and at a multi-use trail car park.

Seqwater does not list public transport to the lake, so plan to drive.

Nearby

• Landsborough – museum, heritage walk and Pioneer Park, a few minutes from the lake.
• Beerwah and the Glass House Mountains – Australia Zoo, lookouts and walks to the south.
• More waterside days on the lakes and rivers page and more to see on the Sunshine Coast page.

You might also like

• Baroon Pocket Dam (Lake Baroon) – another Seqwater lake with picnics, swimming and paddling, in the hinterland.
• Wappa Dam – spillway views and a park near Yandina.
• Kondalilla Falls and Maleny – waterfall walks and country cafes in the hinterland.

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