AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Paradise Dam is a sprawling freshwater lake on Queensland's Burnett River, roughly 80 kilometres south-west of Bundaberg, named after a gold-mining town that now rests beneath its waters. Built in 2005, the dam impounds the river to create a recreational playground where boating, water-skiing, fishing, kayaking, and free riverside camping all unfold against a backdrop of rolling countryside and wide open sky.↗↗
The lake draws its unusual name from the township of Paradise, a gold-mining settlement from the late 1800s that was abandoned in the early 1900s and ultimately inundated when the dam was completed. Today the submerged town adds a layer of intrigue to an already picturesque setting, and information boards at the upper day-use area tell the story.↗↗
On the Water
Paradise Dam is best known as a water-sports destination. There are no restrictions on the types of craft you can launch — powerboats, sailboats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are all welcome. A fully concreted boat ramp handles everything from trailers to small tinnies, and the lake stretches in both directions for plenty of exploring.
