Lake Birrabeen

Kgari, Queensland

At this swim a fine white sand beach with shallow entry leads to a wide expanse of crystal clear water. Just as good for swimming and splashing about as the other more famous lake nearby. The water in this perched lake is similarly slightly high in acidity to inhibit the presence of any creepy crawlies in the water. Above: The beach near the alternative car park at Lake Birrabeen (Order this image)

The two access points to the lake here will give you two very different impressions. First I ventured down the slighly overgrown bush track from the car park near the toilets and picnic tables, which is the car park you first encounter when arriving from Central Station. The views of the lake are obscured, both at the viewing platform and along the track. The shore here is quite scrubby, with matted tree roots criss-crossing the sand and sedges in clumps around the water's edge. My impressions were that it was good for swimming, but with quite a few trip hazards on the beach and in the water, with clear stretches of sand interrupted by the tree roots. The picnic table in the bush on the top of the dune, which is remote from the beach, was not that well maintained, with the vegetation starting to close in around it. This spot does however have the only toilet facilities. Above: Obstacles at the edge of the water at the northern end of the beach closest to the picnic table and toilets (Order this image)

It was not until I ventured on to the "alternative" car park, 400 metres further down Birrabeen Road, that my impression of this lake completely changed. From the top of the dune, there are commanding views of the lake, with a staircase that leads down to an open beach with oodles of clean white sand, and gentle waves lapping the shore. The first few metres of the lake are very shallow, which makes this a great beach for mucking about on the sand and running through the ripples at the water's edge. Beyond that the water has a white wine glass colour before reaching deeper water for a proper swim. The lake itself is very large, at over a kilometre across, but entry and exit is limited to the western shore. Above: The white sand and crystal clear water at Lake Birrabeen (Order this image)

From the lakes on K'gari that I have visited, this lake was the closest to rival Lake McKenzie for its beach and swimming suitability, so I suggest you prioritise a visit here if doing a tour of the southern lakes on the island. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this swim, the managing authority advises that dingoes roam this area, with safety advice on site, including not to take food to the lake. The marker indicates the approximate location of the alternative car park at the lake. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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