Tinaroo Dam was started in 1953 and completed in 1958, and was built to dam the water from the Barron River to supply irrigation for the regions tobacco farms and produce; as well as to supplement water passing through the Barron Gorge Hydro-Electricity Station. Tinaroo Dam is now one of the three largest water storages in Queensland, which is about three quarters the size of Sydney Harbour, and is often referred to just as Lake Tinaroo. Today, it’s multi-purpose use includes water supply for the Tableland towns, crop irrigation, stock watering and recreation.

The town has grown over the years, with the waterway offering a pleasant escape from the heat and attracting locals and tourist alike. There is something for everyone, with a variety of activities including sailing, water-skiing, swimming, boating, fishing, red clawing, bird watching, and walking. For a relaxing stroll, you can walk along the jetty to see the dam spillway, then stop off in one of the many picnic spots. Facilities in the area including restaurants, BBQ’s, picnic areas, boat ramps, toilets, showers, walking tracks as well as the varied local accommodation including caravan parks, camping spots, B&B’s, motels etc.
 

The lake also provides an ideal habitat for birds and bird watching, with recorded sightings of over 300 different bird species, that include: White-bellied Sea Eagle, Osprey, Herons, Egrets, Ibis, Spoonbills, Rufous Night Heron, Black-necked Stalk, Purple Swamphen, Caspian Tern, Eurasian Coot, Red-kneed Dotterel, Whistling-Ducks, Green Pygmy-Goose, Black fronted Plover and many more. There is also fishing all year round, with the catch including our famous barramundi.

There is also the Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre at Black Gully. This education establishment is staffed by teachers offering programs catering for pupils from pre-school to Year 12. Fostering an increased enjoyment, appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment, pupils develop an understanding of and a caring attitude towards the preservation and maintenance of the world around them. The programs range from hands-on skills in canoeing and team building to studies of forest types, endangered species, water quality and cultural heritage.

The Department of Innovation and Information Economy (Sport and Recreation Queensland) run the Lake Tinaroo Outdoor Recreation Centre, which provides a hall/gymnasium, tennis court, ropes course, BBQ, orienteering course, accommodation and campfire area. An activities officer is also available on site at an additional cost, to undertake activities such as high ropes, sailing, canoeing and abseiling.

Contact the Tableland Information Centre for further information. There are also some great maps from this site: