Lake Paluma

Lake Paluma is a picturesque reservoir located on the western slopes of the Paluma Range, just north of Townsville in Queensland.

The lake is formed by Paluma Dam, an embankment dam built across Swamp Creek that has a length of 255 metres and a spillway of 60.9 metres. Two saddle dams provide additional support to the main embankment. The reservoir has a holding capacity of 11,830 megalitres and is managed by the Townsville City Council.

Surrounded by the serene Paluma Range National Park, Lake Paluma is a popular destination for tourists looking for some outdoor fun. While the lake itself is not part of the park, the surrounding wilderness and wildlife offer a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Northern Queensland.

Water from Paluma Dam is essential for supplying the city of Townsville, and so decanted water is piped 4.5 kilometres to the east to the Crystal Creek catchment area on the eastern side of Paluma Range to supplement the natural flow of the creek. The outflow from the dam can reach a maximum of 43.2 ML/day. Paluma Dam was built in 1957-1958, with its original storage capacity of 10,273 ML increased to 11,496 ML in 1981 and then to 11,830 ML in 2020 by adding flashboards to the spillway.

Visitors can access Lake Paluma via Paluma Dam Road. The lake and the surrounding national park offer an array of recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, swimming and non-motorised boating. The serene and calm lake is perfect for a refreshing dip or a peaceful day on a kayak or canoe. The