Thinking of your next camping-and-boating trip in one? What about a picturesque campsite right next to a placid lake, and enjoying water sports with family and friends before you opt for a quiet moment of fishing?
Such an ideal out-of-town boating location with a majestic Mt Edwards as the backdrop is Lake Moogerah. Nestled in the Boonah district and referred to as the heart of Scenic Rim, Lake Moogerah has a peaceful and quiet rural setting surrounded by lofty mountains. Located approximately just 100km southwest of the Gold Coast, it is a scenic two hour-drive west towards the great diving range.
The area derives its name from the Aboriginal word moojirah, meaning “home of the thunderstorm. And on our visit on Easter Sunday, the rains and storms did not disappoint. Completed in 1961, the lake has a catchment area of 228km2 and provides irrigation water to landholders along Reynolds Creek, with water also diverted to farmers in the Warrill Valley.
BOATING
By far, the best attraction on this lake is boating. Motorised and non-motorised watercrafts are permitted on the lake, which draws fishermen, and those into water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing to visit with boats and water toys in tow during long weekends and holidays. The Lake Moogerah Caravan Park rent out tinnies and kayaks for those without their own watercrafts in tow.
The holiday seasons attract the most watercrafts to the lake. This year’s Easter weekend gathered approximately 80 watercrafts with 1/3 of those quizzed originating from the Gold Coast. (The rest mostly come from Brisbane and surrounding townships, and other places).
There are two public boat ramps at the lake and the waters are also well signed due to the safety risks posed by submerged hazards. A 6-knot speed limit in the heavily timbered arms of lake is imposed. There is a no boating/fishing zone around the dam wall. It should be noted that much of the land surrounding the lake is private property. Launching, retrieving or beaching on land around the lake are not allowed, except at signed designated recreation areas. Permits are not required for boating. Overnight stays on the water are not permitted.
FISHING
You can fish from your boat or along the shores in the designated recreation areas. Moogerah Lake is one of South East Queensland’s more established lake fisheries and has been stocked by Maroon Moogerah Fish Stocking Association.
Local angler, Dan, from Beenleigh, has been coming to the lake for years. He points out there are well fed big fish in the lake, so fish can be easily caught from a boat or along the shoreline. Dan and his son, Jake, caught several fish each morning of their stay, by using live shrimp baits they caught overnight using a bait trap. Dan recommends casting lines five metres from a boat, around the heavily timbered areas or the rock points near the dam wall. By counting down depths to find where the bass are holding at, father and son were able to bring in five good-sized Australian bass.
In the lake, baitfish such as bony bream and shrimp are common. Although the main species are Australian bass, you can also catch silver and golden perch, Mary River cod, eels and a freshwater catfish called tandanus. A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish at Lake Moogerah.
CAMPING
At the Lake Moogerah Caravan Park, powered and unpowered tent and caravan sites, as well as overnight cabin sites are available. The Park’s front office has been managed by Robyn for 12 years. She has personally been coming to the Park since 1983, and explained the park is a popular boating location because the shoreline is a shallow bank, which allows boat owners to leave their watercrafts directly in front of their camp sites for the duration of their stay. There are barbecues, covered picnic areas and toilet facilities. On Easter weekend 2016, an estimated 2,500 guests were checked in, making for a quintessential Australian camping experience complete with nightly fireworks.
Another overnight stay option is Camp Moogerah, where they offer waterfront camping sites with boat access. Likewise, you can camp or caravan at School Camps QLD, which is another camping area popular with water skiing enthusiasts.
The Moogerah area has several B&B’s, and picturesque homestead lodgings, such as Moogerah Lakehouse at End of the Line, and Milly’s Place on Lake Moogerah Road. Further downstream from Lake Moogerah, there are more camping grounds and hotel and motel-style accommodation at Aratula, Kalbar and Boonah townships.
WALKING THROUGH NATIONAL PARK
At the end of the Moogerah Connection Road, you will find the Lake Moogerah Café. This area also provides access across the dam wall to Moogerah Peaks National Park and the Mt Edwards walking trail. At the other end of the lake, another popular walking trek is Mt Greville, which is a cone-shaped and deeply fissured mountain.
The lake is the biggest in the Scenic Rim, and arguably the most beautiful. The kids will love Lake Moogerah and surrounding areas. The facilities scream of freedom, with unmarked tent sites and boats directly in front of your camp site. It feels like days gone by, when freedom was not limited by rules and white lines.
Lake Moogerah makes an ideal base for touring the Scenic Rim. The small unpopulated country towns, the local architecture and the quaint little timber weatherboard pubs of the region make for some interesting side trips.
By Andrew Kancachian
SAFETY
The lake is managed by Seqwater with dedicated rangers who regularly conduct on-water patrols in cooperation with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and the local police. They check for correct safety equipment, while boat operators undergo a license check. Seqwater Ranger, Glynn, explained that his role involves educating tourists about aspects in and around the waterways. He also points out that, since Seqwater began undertaking water patrols, there have been less on-water boating incidents occurring. For more details www.seqwater.com.au.
