Lake Awoonga

Lake Awoonga is a large reservoir on the Boyne River about 30 kilometres south of Gladstone near Benaraby in Queensland. Formed by the Awoonga Dam, it is the primary water supply for Gladstone and a major recreational destination. Notable for its stocked barramundi fishery, one of Australia's largest, the lake offers boating, fishing, camping and picnic areas set within bushland with views of the dam wall and surrounding ranges.

Visitors can expect a large freshwater reservoir surrounded by bushland and open parkland. The main recreation areas provide picnic shelters, barbecues, lookouts over the dam wall and lake, and sealed boat ramps for fishing and boating. The lake is renowned for barramundi and other stocked species. Areas to explore include foreshore picnic grounds, viewing platforms, bushwalking tracks and designated camping and boating access points. The setting is tranquil and natural, focused on outdoor recreation and wildlife watching.

Formed by damming the Boyne River, Awoonga Dam was completed in 1985 to secure water supply for Gladstone's industry and urban community. The dam wall was raised significantly in 2002, greatly increasing storage capacity to become one of Queensland's larger water storages and enabling development of its renowned stocked fishery.

The lake is of community significance as Gladstone's principal water supply and a major regional recreation and fishing destination. The Boyne River valley lies within the traditional Country of Bailai, Gurang and Gooreng Gooreng peoples.