Lake Broadwater Conservation Park

Lake Broadwater is 30km southwest of Dalby, in the locality of Nandi, Western Downs Region, Queensland.

In earlier times, Lake Broadwater and its surrounds were a focal point for local Aboriginal people and early European settlers due to an abundance of food and a reliable water source.

By 1849, Lake Broadwater was part of the 'St Ruth' pastoral run, and by 1872, 'St Ruth' was put up for closer settlement and the area around the lake became part of 'Loudoun'. The lake was set aside as a camping and water reserve on the stock route used by teamsters, drovers and pioneers moving to and from the west, but its significance for that purpose faded after the rail reached Dalby and beyond in 1868, and a protracted drought left the lake dry for some time.

In 1901, the lake was divided into four separate lots and sold by the Wambo Divisional Board to the owners of nearby 'Loudoun'. It was fenced off and closed to the public. Locals advocated for the reacquisition of the lake for the public, and in 1931, 16ha on the western side was reopened for public use.

The other blocks encompassing the lake were eventually re-acquired, and in March 1981, the 1,220ha Lake Broadwater Environmental Park was gazetted, with Wambo Shire Council appointed as trustees.

In December 1994, Lake Broadwater Environmental Park was re-gazetted a Conservation Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, allowing the public continued access to the lake.

The recreation area of 8ha on the lake’s western shore, comprising the picnic and camping areas, amenities block and hall, was reclassified from the park in 2004 and is now managed by Western Downs Regional Council. The Council remains the trustee of Lake Broadwater Conservation Park and undertakes its day-to-day management.

Lake Broadwater, surrounded by cypress pine, eucalypt and brigalow open woodland, is a shallow lake which covers approximately 350ha of the 1,212ha conservation park. It is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.

The lake fills only after heavy rains and, when full, is up to 4m deep. It dries out periodically—sometimes for lengthy periods.

More than 230 species of birds have been recorded at the park. The number and variety are due primarily to the wide range of habitat types; from wetlands to vegetation representative of drier inland regions. It is a valuable breeding ground for waterfowl, including migratory species.

The park also preserves valuable remnants of the vegetation types which once covered the Western Downs before European settlement. Many are now uncommon elsewhere due to agricultural development.

Four hundred and fifty species of plants have been identified in the park, along with at least 30 mammals, 55 reptiles, 22 frogs, numerous fish and a myriad of invertebrates.

The lake is now a popular location for picnicking, walking and birdwatching, as well as power-boating, skiing, canoeing and swimming when conditions are suitable.