Camping around Burdekin Falls Dam
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 08:25
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Grungle
Hi All,
I have a few days off over Christmas and would like to take the family camping within a few hours of Mackay (that won't be too crowded). I have searched the internet and have come accross the usual info pages on camping and fishing and like the look of the Burdekin Falls
Dam (
Lake Dalrymple).
Has anyone spent time around that area camping and fishing and what are your thoughts. I know its a long shot but even one opinion will be enough to help make our decision.
Regards
David
Reply By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 10:50
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 10:50
Grungle.
We were there earlier this year.
Camping area at the
dam wall end. I understand there is no camping on the
lake shore line.
Facilities are good if a little under used. Seems to be somewhat of a secret to all but locals.
I will make it back sometime in the future with boat in tow.
We were just passing through on our visit.
You may want to make inquires with the rangers (sorry no contact info handy) it can get busy due to relatively small number of camping sites. The local water skiers frequent the
lake.
All the best and have a great xmas.
AnswerID:
211503
Follow Up By: Grungle - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:02
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:02
Thanks Wim,
I have read that the
campsite is a disused caravan park where a caretaker charges $10 per night per family which is great. We will take a tinny to try some fishing and hopefully the
lake is big enough to steer clear of those keen on the water sports.
Thanks and have a great Christmas.
Regards
David
FollowupID:
471672
Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 11:20
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 11:20
David,
You ARE going the back way via
Eungella Dam ;-) A very nice drive via
Collinsville to Burdekin (Falls)
Dam detouring back via the National Trust listed
Ravenswood township and the huge piece of white quartz sticking out of the ground at White Blow Environmental Park:
Another hour and a bit north of there, is good camping above the
dam on the Burdekin River and in particular, Fletchers creek (and
Dalrymple National Park).
Andrew
AnswerID:
211511
Follow Up By: Grungle - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:06
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:06
G'day Andrew,
Definately will be going the backway as I haven't traversed that country yet and prefer the slow and scenic to the high speed and bland.
Thanks for the siteseeing tips as
well. I will have around 5 days so hope to suss out as much as I can.
BTW what are you up to over the break?
Regards
David
FollowupID:
471676
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 20:12
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 20:12
When are you heading up that way.....we haven't planned anything yet (nice to just relax this time of year), so will probably end up at a secluded spot somewhere.....can't plan too far ahead now :-)
Andrew
FollowupID:
471704
Follow Up By: cackles - Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 22:27
Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 22:27
keep an eye out for us, have planned a few days fiching but thats looking a it dodge at the moment,
plan b is a drive.
cackles
FollowupID:
471904
Follow Up By: Grungle - Saturday, Dec 23, 2006 at 07:12
Saturday, Dec 23, 2006 at 07:12
Will do cackles.
Weather doesn't look like its going to be favourable but a little rain will be nice after the dry we have had.
Regards
David
FollowupID:
471932
Reply By: Pezza (Bris) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 16:46
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 16:46
Hi David,
If you go the back way be sure to
check that there is no water going over the spillway, if you look at my rig pics you will see one photo of a bluddy great wall, that is the spillway, and my bike is parked on the only southern access road to the
campground.
The
camping area is very nice with green grass and shady trees, as Wim said though, not many of them, a dozen or so I guess, there is also hot showers and
toilets in the clean ammenities, all up a very nice place to
camp and spend a few days.
Avagoodn
Pezza
AnswerID:
211553
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 18:10
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 18:10
No likelihood of overflowing in the next week or two....the poor
dam is down to 80% capacity at the moment (some 1,500,000 Megalitres!!), i just don't know how we will all survive ;-)
Andrew
FollowupID:
471662
Follow Up By: Grungle - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:30
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:30
Hey Pezza,
Your no wrong about the size - bloody big bugger!
We will definately be heading there now for a few days. Thanks to you and everyone who replied, it was an easy decision.
Cheers
David
FollowupID:
471688
Reply By: Member - Poppy (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 17:55
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 17:55
David
Burdekin Falls
Dam is a great place to
camp. However if you are fishing in the
lake itself you would certainly need a boat and most importantly you will need a fishing permit as the
lake is part of the SIPS scheme and allows you to catch barra out of season.
These permits are available from most local tackle stores or the
post office
Be aware the DPI&F officers do patrol the area
Take some redclaw pots as
well
Cheers Ray (
Townsville)
AnswerID:
211571
Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:25
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:25
Ray, have you fished for barra in the
dam? If so, how did you go?
IUm originally from Charters Towers (back before the
dam was built). Still got family up there and will probably be there in May next year.
Have been to the
dam a couple of times, but never fished. I figure there is a lot of water between fish as it is a very big
dam. But as I will have the tinnie with me (part of a trip to the Cape), I could always drop out there for a couple of days if the fishing is worth it.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Grungle - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:36
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 19:36
Hi Ray,
Yes we will be taking our new tinny on its maiden voyage. Sit for my boat licence Christmas eve and get it issued day after boxing day before we head off. As you can imagine, the whole family is chomping at the bit to get on the water.
I have heard the fishing is better in the river as opposed to the
dam but I plan to try as may
places as I can fit into this short holiday. As long as we can find a nice
camp spot then we will have a great time.
Thanks for your reply.
Regards
David
FollowupID:
471689
Follow Up By: Member - Poppy (QLD) - Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 08:26
Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 08:26
Hi guys
The fishing is hard in the
lake itself as it is a huge area and lots of water skiiers but up in the backblocks around the timber should be ok
Fishing the river below the spillway is the best but it is only for the adventurous as the area is all boulders and
rock holes and a lot of care is needed.
Great place to relax for a couple of days, no supplies though, so take everything with you.
Merry Xmas to all
Cheers Ray
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