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Lake Wabby
K'gari, Queensland

If you want to swim in the deepest lake on K'gari, get here before the Hammerstone Sandblow swallows it up completely. In a facscinating example of nature re-inventing itself, this lake is gradually being filled by the onward march of the sandblow.

Swimming at Lake Wabby, Kgari

Above: Overlooking Lake Wabby from the lip of the Hammerstone Sandblow (Order this image)

The 1.5 km walk from the car park heads out along flat ground to the lookout platform, where there is an obscured view of the lake through the trees. From there the walk heads downhill along an open bush track, flattening out briefly again before you reach an eery landscape of a world being overwhelmed by sand.

Ascending steeply up the front of the sandblow, the sand gets progressively higher and higher up the tree trunks until you burst out through the canopy into a massive expanse of sand, with sunlight blaring at your eyeballs from above and below. From there it is a few hundred metre walk along the top of the sandblow to find the least steep descent down to the water.

Swimming at Lake Wabby, Kgari

Above: Looking across Lake Wabby (Order this image)

The wall of sand at the lake edge is tens of metres high in parts and continues steeply into the water. After three or four steps from the shore I was in deep water, with gravity pushing me over to swim out across the lake. When I swam here, the lake was about 100 metres across and couple of hundred metres long, so ample room for an extended swim. An inflatable would be ideal here in between swims, if you are prepared to carry it in or blow it up when you reach the lake.

The steep slope means that there is no beach that you can comfortably stand on at the water's edge, but you can perch yourself up on the bank, overlooking the water, with the only flat sand some 10-15 metres back up the dune at its lowest point. From an elevated position it is very tempting to propel yourself down the bank into the water, but the practice is prohibited here after serious spinal injuries occurred when others have done that in the past.

Swimming at Lake Wabby, Kgari

Above: The steepest section of sand dune leading down to the water at Lake Wabby (Order this image)

The water has a yellow to orange hue near the shore, but visibility in the water quickly reduces in the deeper, darker water. Apparently there are catfish that hang around in the shallows sometimes, but I did not see any while I was in the water.

Here is a video of swimming at this spot in 2024, so you can compare the progression of the sandblow in subsequent years. It includes the walk to the lake, swimming in the lake, the Hammerstone Sandblow, and 4WD dashcam footage of the Lake Wabby Road.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: Along both the Lake Wabby Road and the K'gari Great Walk, K'gari, 8 km (as the crow flies) north east of Central Station. K'gari is opposite Hervey Bay, which is 300 km (approximately 3.5 hr drive) north of Brisbane.
Latitude:-25.458327 Longitude:153.130187
Getting there: From Kingfisher Bay it is 13 km of sometimes nailbiting single-lane sand tracks to the lake car park. From the car park it is a moderately steep, 1.5 km walk each way to the lake. You can also walk in to the lake from the coast along the K'gari Great Walk.

Facilities: At the car park there is a public toilet, car park, information boards. There are no facilities at the lake.
Entrance fee: Entry to Lake Wabby is free, but you will need to purchase a vehicle permit from the Queensland Government if driving on K'gari.
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear to cloudy
Under foot: Sand
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced swimmers only because the water is immediately deep away from the shore.
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs, no fires, no camping, no drinking water from the taps at the toilets. Taking, preparing, or consuming food or drinks at the lake (except water) is prohibited with the threat of on-the-spot fines.
Sun shade: No shade at the lake, apart from some limited shade well back from the water at the top of the dune. Limited shade along the walk to the lake.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Accessible toilets at the car park. The path to the lake is not wheelchair accessible.
Managing authority: Queensland Government
Nearby attractions: Lake McKenzie, 17 km by road to the west

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. There have been attacks on people on K'gari by the local dingoes. Whilst these are rare, heed the numerous warning signs on site to be dingo safe. Running down the sand dunes and jumping or diving into the lake is prohibited, as serious spinal injuries have occurred in the past here, and running down the dunes can cause serious injury or death. For your safety the managing authority also advises that walking over sandblows or up steep sections of track can be very tiring, and on hot days some people have suffered fatigue and heat exhaustion. Stay with your children at all times, stay on formed walking tracks, wear sturdy footwear (not thongs), walk in groups, avoid walking in the hottest part of the day, carry sufficient drinking water, protect yourself from the sun, look for and observe all signs, and let someone know your destination and itinerary.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park on Lake Wabby Road at the start of the walk to 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.
View Larger Map

Comments:

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