LAKE COOBY
Lake Cooby is only a 35 kilometre drive from Toowoomba and easily accessible from the New England Highway. When travelling north from Toowoomba turn left into Meringandan Road (just past the Borneo Barracks Golf Course): follow the signs. Travelling south from Crows Nest, turn right into Meringandan Road just south of Cabarlah.
Entry is free. The park is locked at night.
Cooby Creek Reservoir, Groomsville, Qld
Picnic Areas
At Loveday Cove, there are shelters, and gas barbecue facilities for those who just want to spend a few lazy hours on a family picnic. A children’s playground also caters for younger members of the family and toilet blocks have disabled access. Camping facilities are not available at Lake Cooby.
Cooby Dam Wall Picnic Area is open again after repairs to the flood damage.
Walking Track
Loveday Cove to the Dam Wall, an easy 4.5km walk. Grade 3.
The walk is mainly easy with a moderate climb in the middle. The lake serves as the water supply for Toowoomba Region and provides a habitat for waterbirds. A diverse variety of bush birds populate the areas along the trail. If you sit quietly you may be able to also see a wide range of wildlife including koalas, possums, echidna and wallabies. Please leave your pets at home.
Birds
Lake Cooby is a significant waterbird habitat, and has a rich population of bush birds, especially along the walking track.
Pets
As it is a flora and fauna reserve domestic animals are not allowed at Lake Cooby. Swimming is also prohibited at Lake Cooby.
Fishing
Fishermen must have a Freshwater Fishing Permit (Stocked Impoundment Permit). These are available from local Post Offices, by ringing the Qld Government Contact Centre on 13 13 04
Electric outboards only are permitted. The boat ramp is at Loveday Cove.
LAKE CRESBROOK
Take the Perseverance Dam Rd from Crows Nest, or turn off the Esk-Hampton Rd to Mt Jockey Rd. Follow the signs to Cressbrook Dam, Biarra Qld.
Picnic Area
The day use area is open from 6am to 8pm during the summer months (September to April) and from 7am to 6pm during the winter months (May to August). Water-based activities are not permitted outside these hours (campers included).
A great children’s playground. Sand volleyball.
Camping
With level tent sites, showers and toilets (with disabled access), hot and cold water and shared barbecues and fireplaces it’s a great place to stay. There are more then 30 campsites at Lake Cressbrook; six of these are available for campers vans and caravans.
A self-registration system operates at the camping ground. Just register yourself upon arrival at the camping ground as no bookings are taken at any time. Camping fees are placed in the envelopes provided. Camping fees (May 2019) are $8.00 per night per person or $32.00 for a family of 2 adults and any number of children. Fees are $5.00 per night per person for groups of 20 or more. A limit of 21 consecutive nights camping applies. Credit card facilities are not available.
Please note that firewood is not available on site, either for sale or by collection. All firewood for use at your campsite is strictly bring your own.
Walking track
Bushwalking: Grade 3.
7455 metres total distance.
Walking time: 150-160 minutes
The trailhead of Lake Cressbrook Walking Track is located near the boat ramp off Access Road in the Day Use Area and it can also be accessed from the camping area. It meanders adjacent to the lake’s edge, passing the camping ground before looping back through bushland.
Good views of water birds along the edge of the lake. Feral deer often seen inland.
Pets
As it is a flora and fauna reserve domestic animals are not allowed at Lake Cressbrook. Swimming is also prohibited.
Fishing
Fishermen must have a Freshwater Fishing Permit (Stocked Impoundment Permit). These are available from local Post Offices, by ringing the Qld Government Contact Centre on 13 13 04
Lake Perserverance
Lake Perseverance is only a 40 kilometre drive from Toowoomba, much less from Crows Nest. It is easily accessible from the New England Highway at Pechey or Crows Nest or from the Esk-Hampton road near Ravensbourne. In fact, you must drive past Lake Perseverance if you are driving to Lake Cressbrook from Pechey.
Unlike Cooby and Cressbrook, Toowoomba’s other water supply lakes, fishing, boating and windsurfing are not permitted at Lake Perseverance.
Dam Wall Picnic Area
Located on your right side after you come over the spillway this peninsula provides a scenic, bush setting for your picnic.
Pump house recreation area
Free gas barbecues, shelter sheds and gazebos. With lunch sizzling on the barbecue mum and dad can relax while younger children work up an appetite on the playground equipment only metres away.
Bushwalking
Lake Perseverance Lookout Walk. Grade 2.
The lookout is located at about 200m from the carpark and offers views of the lake. From the lookout you can walk another 200m and take in a different perspective of the lake.
Organised activities.
While Lake Perseverance is generally closed to fishing and boating, canoeing and water skiing are permissible activities for Perseverance Aquatic Club members and groups or individuals participating in organised activities conducted by the Lake Perseverance Recreation Centre.
A colony of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies may sometimes be seen at the foot of the Dam wall. If you stand quietly at the top of the dam at the southern end, and watch the rocks near the bottom on the far side, you will often see them moving.
Recreation Centre
Operated by the Qld Department of Justice and Attorney General, the Lake Perseverance Recreation Centre provides youth oriented adventure-based learning activities.
It is available for public bookings.
It serves as an excellent accommodation base for those participating in organised activities and for general outdoor education opportunities. The Centre number is 07 4697 8900.