Lake Burrendong State Park

Lake Burrendong State Park is a sprawling water-based playground in the Central West of New South Wales, centred on one of the state's largest inland dams. The park offers a classic Australian outdoor escape: wide-open skies, red-earth shores, and a vast reservoir that draws water-skiers, fisherfolk, and campers. It’s a place where you can trade the coastal crowds for quiet coves and starlit campsites, with the nearby historic gold-rush town of Mudgee adding a dash of wine-country sophistication to your itinerary.

Highlights & What to See

• Water sports on Lake Burrendong – The lake is a magnet for powerboating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and sailing. Multiple boat ramps make launching easy, and the sheltered bays are perfect for beginners.
• Fishing for golden perch and Murray cod – Anglers flock here for year-round fishing; try your luck off the banks or from a boat. The lake is regularly stocked, and the fishing is reliable.
• Camping by the water – Choose from basic lakeside campgrounds like Ploughman’s Flat or more developed sites with facilities at Burrendong Dam. Waking up to the sound of lapping water is the real draw.
• Burrendong Dam wall and lookout – Walk across the massive dam wall for panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding valley. The nearby lookout is a prime spot for sunset photos.
• Birdwatching and wildlife – The park is home to kangaroos, emus, and a huge variety of waterbirds. Bring binoculars for spotting pelicans, cormorants, and black swans.
• Bushwalking and 4WD tracks – Several short trails explore the lakeshore and eucalypt woodlands, while unsealed roads offer gentle off-road adventures for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors stay one to three nights, allowing a full day for water activities and another for exploring the dam and surrounding bush. If you’re on a self-drive itinerary through the Central West, a weekend is ideal: arrive Friday afternoon, set up camp, spend Saturday on the water, and depart Sunday after a leisurely morning. Day-trippers from Mudgee can comfortably see the dam wall, have a picnic, and do a short walk in half a day, though you’ll wish you had longer.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Mudgee – Just 30 minutes south, this charming town is renowned for its wineries, farm-to-table dining, and historic buildings. Combine lake days with cellar-door tastings and a meal at a hatted restaurant.
• Wellington – A 20-minute drive north, Wellington offers the Wellington Caves, a fascinating complex of limestone caverns with guided tours, plus the Wellington Boot, a giant sculpture worth a photo stop.
• Dubbo – An hour north-west, Dubbo is home to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, one of Australia’s best open-range zoos. It’s an easy day trip from the lake.
• Gulgong – A 45-minute drive east, this historic gold-mining village has well-preserved 19th-century streetscapes, antique shops, and the Henry Lawson Centre.
• Lake Burrendong Arboretum – Located on the lake’s eastern shore, this peaceful garden showcases thousands of native and exotic trees, with walking trails and picnic spots.

Please check official sources for current details.