Lake Borumba is formed by Borumba Dam, located west of Imbil and roughly between Amamoor and Kenilworth. It is an un-gated dam built in 1963 and upgraded in 1997, primarily to provide water to the Mary Valley irrigation scheme.
The lake is a stocked impound, which means fish are supplied into the dam to provide a better fishing experience. It also means it requires a stocked impound fishing permit or SIPS which covers the costs of stocking the dam with fish.
The dam has a concrete boat ramp with parking for vehicles with boat trailers near it. The mornings and afternoons were the busiest at the boat ramp. Considering it was during a fishing competition it wasn’t too busy.
Boats are the main activity for on the lake with other related activities to be enjoyed. Boats and other water craft, such as canoes and kayaks, can only be launched and landed at the boat ramp.
Once on the water in your boat, fishing, sailing, water skiing, tubing, and generally enjoying being on the water can be had.
Unfortunately, there is no swimming allowed at Lake Borumba. It is a shame because the water is cool and a great relief from the warm weather in the hotter months. There is a swimming spot at the camp grounds but nothing close to the lake.
Day Use Area
Additional parking can be found at the general day use area, only a few metres from where the boat ramp is. There are many sheltered picnic tables to support a large gathering and a couple of free barbeques to cook up a feast.
Flushing toilets are at the far end with three unisex toilets and an additional disabled toilet. There are water taps around but none are drinkable so make sure you bring drinking water with you.
Next to the dam wall on the roadway is a lookout over the Borumba Dam and the lake. There is some informal parking and a sheltered lookout with basic seating. Some information about the construction of the dam showing its age with the details shown in imperial measurements.
Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds
There is no camping at Borumba Dam itself, however, there are paid camping options close by. The closest is Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds, a bit over one kilometre before reaching Borumba Dam, downstream on Yabba Creek.
There is also another camping spot further back towards Imbil, about 4 kilometres from the dam. I have stayed at Borumba Deer Park many years ago but found this weekend that it has a new brown sign. We will have to visit again soon to add it to the list. There is also camping at Imbil Camping Retreat, 13 kilometres from the dam in Imbil.
We stayed at Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds over the weekend and walked to the dam on Sunday morning. It is quite hilly and there is no dedicated walking path so you need to watch for traffic. With a fishing competition on there were a few vehicles heading to the dam in the morning.
There are powered and unpowered options with good size camp spots. The powered sites can have a long distance to the power box so make sure you have a good length lead (20m), otherwise, secure a closer spot if you have a basic lead.
The fire pits available for borrowing helps complete the campsite, with firewood available to buy. We were able to have a fire together each evening, something I find makes camping all that much better.
I’d recommend bringing your own firewood if you can, as the wood seems to be sourced from a local mill. The firewood is a softer variety that doesn’t burn for too long.
Things To Do at Camp
Children are catered for with a couple of table tennis tables and a beach volley ball net. The kiosk lends out table tennis paddles and volley balls for use.
There is also a screen with a movie played late afternoon for something more sedate. Most of them were happy to run around an play making new friends during their stay.
The camp grounds runs along Yabba Creek but for the most part it cannot be accessed as it is too dense to get to the water. We had a walk along the edge of the bush where we came across a Kookaburra.
You can head down the track to a ford crossing with some great swimming spots at the ford. If you have some paddle craft, this is also a great spot for kayaks and canoes.
The park lets you hire kayaks for a couple of hours for free. Pop on the supplied wheels and walk them down to the ford and you can paddle a fair way up the creek. Children can participate as well but they need an adult with them.
We had an amazingly relaxed weekend camp, our first to break our camping drought during COVID began. We returned home feeling like we had been away for longer than a weekend.
To Get There
From the Bruce Hwy heading north, take exit 244 heading to Lake Borumba. Turn left at the end of the exit onto Old Bruce Hwy and follow for 4.6km. Turn left into Kenilworth Skyring Creek Rd at the brown sign for Tourist Drive 42 and follow for 5.6km. Turn right into Tuchenkoi Rd to continue on Tourist Drive 42 and follow for 4.6km to the end and turn left onto Mary Valley Rd. Follow Mary Valley Rd for 4.5km and turn right into Brooloo Rd, again following the brown sign for Tourist Drive 42 and Lake Borumba. After 2.2km you will reach another turn to follow the tourist drive. Do not turn and continue straight ahead on Yabba Creek Rd into Imbil. Follow Yabba Creek Rd for 13.2km and you will be at the day use area of Lake Borumba.
If coming from Gympie, head south and after passing the McDonalds, take the Mary Valley Road exit to follow the Mary Valley Tourist Drive 42. At the overpass, turn right, then follow the directions from Mary Valley Rd below.
From Gympie Visitor Information Centre, turn right to head north on the Bruce Hwy for 1.8km and exit left onto Mary Valley Rd and the Mary Valley Tourist Drive 42. Follow Mary Valley Rd for 24.2km and turn right into Kandanga Imbil Rd at the brown sign for Tourist Drive 42. Follow Kandanga Imbil Rd for 8km to the end, turning right onto Yabba Creek Rd after crossing the bridge over Yabba Creek. Follow Yabba Creek Rd for 13.2km and you will be at the day use area of Lake Borumba.