Lake Cressbrook, QLD.

View of Lake Cressbrook from our campsite.

We have been to Cressbrook Dam before but we have never camped there. We were keen to camp there because on our previous visit we only had time to partly do one of the walks and we were impressed with the amount of wildlife we saw in such a short time. There used to be a fee to pay to enter the Lake Cressbrook area but that is no longer the case.

There are about 30 bollarded tent camping sites and only 6 sites for caravans and camper trailers. Sites can not be booked and there is a self-registration booth at the entrance to the campground. It is very popular here on weekends and holidays. As well as an amenities block with flushing toilets and hot showers there is a large camp kitchen and a fish cleaning station in the campground.

Pets are not allowed in the Lake Cressbrook area or the campground. One of the reasons for this is the abundant wildlife to be found here. Someone tried to camp with a dog while we were there but the rangers were on to them straight away.

Kangaroos are plentiful around the lake.

The campground is a couple of kilometers away from the public boat ramp and has lake frontage with its own mooring area. Although boating and fishing is allowed on the lake, swimming is prohibited.

We thought the main walk started from the boat ramp area so we walked there from the campground and had a look at the boat ramp. There are excellent facilities here with two children's playgrounds, a beach volleyball court and many sheltered picnic tables. We tried to find a path from the playground area but there are signs prohibiting entry so we returned to the campground; altogether a walk of about 2 km. We were pleased to spot a koala in a tree along the walk.

Lake Cressbrook Boat Ramp

One of the playgrounds in the public area at Lake Cressbrook 

Fortunately, we met a couple of rangers in the campground who showed us the entry to the walking track next to the Self-registration booth. This turned out to be in the opposite direction from the boat ramp and is a circuit of about 5.5 km with great views of the lake. About half way around there is even a bush toilet which could be a contender for best "Loo with a View". 

How's that for a Loo with a View?

Black-fronted Dotterel

Eastern Osprey

Details for Lake Cressbrook Campground:
Where: 142 km (less than 2 hours) north-west of Brisbane.
Facilities: All sites are unpowered. 30 tent campsites (no camping beside your vehicle due to bollards). 6 caravan or camper trailer sites (the entry to 4 of these sites could be a challenge for some caravans). Fire places (BYO wood), water taps, flush toilets, hot showers, camp kitchen comprising covered area with several tables and gas BBQ's, industrial bins near entrance, fish cleaning station, boat mooring area. Boat ramp and playgrounds about 2 km away.
Fees and Bookings: $8 per adult per night, $32 family of 2 adults and dependents. Self-registration on arrival. No bookings. Maximum stay 14 nights. 
Prohibitions: Do not collect firewood. No generators. No pets (strictly enforced). No swimming in lake. No fish cleaning on or around the lake.
Of Interest: Lots of wildlife. Boating permitted. Fishing allowed with a permit.

Wildlife List: Koala, Grey Kangaroo.

Bird List: Whistling Kite, Eastern Osprey, Grey Butcherbird, Galah, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Wood Duck, Australasian Grebe, Peaceful Dove, Variegated Fairy-wren, Grey Fantail, White-faced Heron, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Laughing Kookaburra, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Masked Lapwing, Noisy Miner, Australian Pelican, Pheasant Coucal, Crested Pigeon, Pale-headed Rosella, Grey Shrike-thrush, Welcome Swallow, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Black-fronted Dotterel, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Willie Wagtail.