Lake Canobolas

Located approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Orange, below Mount Canobolas, Lake Canobolas is a man-made reservoir that was completed in the early 1900s across Molong Creek.

The lake played a vital role in supplying water to Orange from 1918 to 1957 when it was managed by the Canobolas Shire Council. The 103 hectares area now comprises the lake, an earth sanctuary, a nature reserve, and a Scout Camp in the Cabonne Shire. Since the 1970s, the administration of the area surrounding Lake Canobolas and the dam were taken over by the Orange City Council and developed for recreational purposes. Suma Park Dam on the eastern side of Orange became the primary source of water supply for Orange in 1962.

Lake Canobolas is situated at the foothills of Mount Canobolas, an extinct volcano, offering a stunning natural backdrop. The lake's name has been derived from the Aboriginal words "coona" meaning shoulder and "booloo" meaning two, referring to the twin peaks known now as Old Man Canobolas and Young Man Canobolas. The picturesque and serene landscape around the Lake attracts tourists, locals and also provides an ideal spot for recreational activities.

One of the most popular recreational activities at Lake Canobolas is dragon boating. The Color City Dragons and Pinnacle Paddlers dragon boat clubs frequently use the lake. The Lake also serves as an ideal location for other outdoor activities, such as the Orange Triathlon Club and Goldseekers Orienteering Club's Park foot orienteering. The area also provides bird watching opportunities around the earth sanctuary and nature reserve in the vicinity.

Lake Canobolas is an excellent destination to admire the