Lake Baroon & Baroon Pocket Dam
Lake Baroon was formed by creating a Dam across the Obi Obi creek at a place known as The Narrows. This captures water flowing from Maleny towards Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
These days, SEQ water manages the Dam and its 7,500 hectare catchment area. This catchment collects an average of 20,000 megalitres of water each year.
The dam wall stretches 370 meters across the gorge, and was finished in 1989. It holds 61,000 megalitres of water.
As the largest Dam on the Sunshine Coast it provides all of areas drinking water.
The Baroon Pocket Dam normally supplies Caloundra and Maroochydore, but helps Brisbane at a pinch as well.
Lake Baroon is a popular local facility used for the selected leisure and water sports activities outlined below.
Impact of building Lake Barron
For some of the locals, its creation involved a lot more than the facts and figures show. Especially for George and Aldy Johnston who purchased 50 acres of land in Baroon Pocket above the Narrows in 1977.
The couple built a home there for their three children.
George also built the kids a magnificent tree house in the large Camphor Laurel about 50 meters from the home. A skill that he would develop much more later in life.
Between 1977 and 1986 the couple ran a mixed farm. They harvested mostly Kiwi Fruit along with Peas, Corn, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Beans and Watermelons.
To supplement the families’ income, there was also a small herd of beef cattle.
But, then the decision was made to dam Obi Obi Creek below their farm at The Narrows.
flooding Obi Water farm
As a result, 12 properties had to be acquired and flooded. Including George and Aldy’s “Obiwater Farm”.
Determined to remain as farmers in the area, they negotiated some land swaps with the Water Board, and obtained acreage above the dam on the Montville side.
Their plans to continue farming and build an Education Center did not pan out.In 1995 they applied to Council to build cabins instead. Secrets on the Lake was born.
Today you can still meet George who is now in his 80’s.
Most Sunday mornings you will find him handing out complimentary Roses, direct form his garden to ladies taking breakfast at Secrets Cafe.
If pressed, he might tell you how it felt to watch his home, and farm slowly sink below the rising waters. But he has certainly moved on from that.
George’s Tree House building skills have since created some of the most luxurious Cabins in the Hinterland, all boardwalk connected Luxury Treehouses.
For most people visiting the area, the Dam at The Narrows simply produced a picturesque waterway and playground.
There are two access points to Lake Baroon
From Maleny, you can reach the water via Teak Street, and a short drive through North Maleny, along Baroon Pocket Road to the Southern Recreation Zone.
Alternatively, you can access the Dam Wall, and the Dam itself from the Montville side, via a steep decline down Narrows Rd.
From this side, the car park and amenities are directly below George’s cabins and restaurant.
There is ample parking, picnic, BBQ and toilet facilities at both Recreation Zones and at the Spillway.
What is allowed at Lake Baroon
The lake’s facilities are available from 5.30 am to 6.30pm over summer with slightly shorter hours (6am -5.30 pm) during Winter.
Swimming is restricted to two designated areas, one at the Southern Recreation area (Maleny side), and one at the Northern Recreation area (Montville side).
Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing and paddle craft are all allowed on the Lake along with Electric powered boats, but access is only allowed at the two Recreation Zones as most of the remaining banks are on private land.
Water Skiing, Jetskiing, and Wakeboarding are not allowed, nor are animals or Camping.
You can fish from your own watercraft, or from the shore at the two Recreation areas only.
Fishing permits are required, and must be obtained before Fishing on the Lake. Permits cost only $12 for a week or $58 annually. Visit this Queensland Government website to purchase a SIPS permit, or to find a list of places that can sell you a permit.
Walking Tracks near Lake Baroon
If you enjoy a pleasant walk in the bush there are a number of options nearby.
Martin Williams Track
On the Maleny side, starting from the Southern Recreation area, there is a circular walking track. It covers roughly 3 kilometers of mostly grassed pathway. The path does include a hilly section which can be bi-passed via a shortcut.
The path is also popular with cyclists and mountain bikers who should circle the track in a clockwise direction to get best use of the turns in the higher section.
On the Monteville side, there are three options.
Leading from the Car park at the Dam wall, you will find a short trail down to the head of the Spillway. This path is quite steep and uneven.
It will lead you through a magnificent area of Grass Trees and native forest.
You arrive at a lookout where the water thunders past before dropping a hundred meters back into the Obi Obi creek.
If the step path is not suitable, there is an even shorter, path beside the spillway where you can still see the thundering water leaving the Dam.
If you are there when the Spillway is open it is a powerful sight and well worth the walk.
Kondalilla National Park
There is an entrance to Kondalillia National Park, on Narrows Road about 50 meters before from the entry to Lake Baroon.
This is the stepping off point for the Sunshine Coast Great Walk.
The Great walk continues for over 58 Kilometers , but there are also also much shorter walks to enjoy.
Take the 500 meter path through beautiful bush land to the Obi Obi creek, or spend a little longer on the 4.2 kilometer round trip to the Baroon Lookout.
