Your Complete Guide to Camping at Somerset Dam

Imagine waking up to the soft lapping of lake water on the shore, with happy kookaburras laughing in the big gum trees above you. That is how camping at Somerset Dam feels. This hidden gem is approximately 90-115km from Brisbane city centre, usually an 80-90 minute drive, depending on your route and traffic. The dam is nestled in the beautiful hilly topography of Queensland. It is a blend of relaxed entertainment and a family-friendly bush adventure. Enjoy slow and safe shallow-water swimming, or spot kangaroos hopping across the land at sunrise.

Why Camp in this Spectacular Queensland Destination?

From Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, or Toowoomba, the Dam is approximately 90-115km away, generally an 80–90 minute drive. This area also features smooth and paved roads, such as the D'Aguilar Highway & the Esk-Kilcoy Road.

There are several things that will catch your eye at this point. The lake is bounded by green hills. The air smells of gum leaves. Birds sing. Grey kangaroos jump in the foggy mornings. Little joeys peek out of the pouches of their mothers. Wallabies graze around your tent. Koalas rest in the gum trees.

The lake is the main draw. You can row in a kayak, launch a little tinny boat, or go wakeboarding. You can fish for bass, golden perch, and saratoga. A SIPS permit is needed. It costs $13.15 per week or $62.47 per year (concessions available at $44.94 per year).

For land-based activities, explore sections of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This 161km historic track accommodates hikers, horse riders, and cyclists, with trailheads accessible from Esk or Toogoolawah. The terrain ranges from easy, flat sections suitable for families to challenging gradients for experienced riders.

Best Places For Your Campsite

The selection of a place can make your visit to Somerset Dam a quiet and pleasant experience. You'll find plenty of options to suit any camper and budget. Each has its own charm. Let's explore the options.

Somerset Park Campgrounds

Located at 2210 Esk-Kilcoy Road, Somerset Dam, QLD 4312, this SEQWater-managed site offers both powered and unpowered sites on green grass beside the Stanley River. Direct river access provides fishing and swimming opportunities within walking distance of most campsites.

Supply runs are convenient, with Esk and Kilcoy shops less than 30 minutes away. The facility provides clean amenities blocks with hot showers, and the flat terrain accommodates large caravans and motorhomes.

Book it by calling 0428 180 450. Also, consider emailing scamping@seqwater.com.au. The prices change according to the season. Check the reservation site for the latest prices.

Note that Somerset Park operates under strict SEQWater regulations: generators are prohibited at all times (making portable power stations essential for 240V needs), pets are not permitted, and as this is a drinking water catchment, all waste must be carried out, and soap/s detergents kept well away from the water.

NRMA Lake Somerset Holiday Park

Situated at Hazeldean, 78 Kirkleagh Road, QLD 4312 (note: some navigation systems may list this as Esk or Somerset Region), this family-friendly park offers cabins, glamping tents, and both powered and unpowered camping sites by the lake.

It features two boat ramps. This makes it easy to launch a boat. Most of the sites offer expansive lake views. It has a small store selling bait, ice, and basic items.

Kids will enjoy the mini golf. There is a camp kitchen and numerous barbecue areas for cooking. However, it becomes busy during school holidays. So, book 3-6 months in advance via the NRMA site.

Camp Somerset Waterfront Sites

It is a quiet place on Stanley Pocket Road, Crossdale, QLD 4312, and it has three lakeside locations:

Koala Grove provides shaded, family-friendly camping with direct boat ramp access. As the name suggests, koala spotting is likely here—look up in the river red gums.

Pelican Point offers superior lake views and clean washrooms.

Turtle Cove features two protected, sunset-facing bays. Many couples like it.

Each site has shelter sheds and fire pits (where allowed) and is boat-friendly. While power is limited at these sites, they are ideal for solar charging setups. Note that Camp Somerset primarily hosts school groups during weekdays, with lakeside sites available to the general public on weekends and during school holidays.

Kirkleagh Recreation Area

Popular for fishing and paddling, this area offers unpowered grassed camping areas, basic toilets, and picnic tables. It represents true off-grid camping—visitors must bring drinking water and rubbish bags, and remove all waste upon departure.

No bookings are required, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early on Friday afternoons or holiday weekends to secure prime waterfront positions.

Private Bush Camping

The Somerset Dam hinterland features numerous private camping properties listed on Hipcamp and similar platforms. These range from mountain-view hilltop sites to working farms where dogs are permitted on-leash (unlike SEQWater sites).

Offerings vary significantly—some provide basic bush camping with no facilities, while others include amenities. Always verify details regarding toilet access, potable water availability, pet policies, and host contact information before booking.

To compare campgrounds, here's a quick table:

Top Activities in and around your Campsite

Somerset Dam is a scenic area offering several entertainment options. It's safe for everyone. The most popular things to do are as follows:

Water Adventures at The Spit

The Spit has ramps, barbecues, and soft grassy spots. It is crowded during weekends, with many boats and jet skiers. You can tube, wakeboard, or simply float in the sun. Check the current notices regularly, as the ramps and swimming areas may change.

Fishing Fun

The Somerset Dam is well known for bass. The lake is stocked often. You'll find opportunities to fish for bass, golden perch & saratoga. Check QLD size and bag limits, as some species like Mary River cod have special rules. Adults need a SIPS permit. Try the ramps, such as O'Shea's or Woody's edges at Kirkleagh, in the morning.

Brisbane's Valley Rail Trail

This is a 161km historic rail trail. There are flat, short sections. Others are long rides and may be undertaken by experienced bicycle riders. Bring your own bike. Watch the wallabies, creeks, and old silos. Stop at Esk for eats or bike hire.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife activity peaks at dawn and dusk. Apart from kangaroos and wallabies, keep an eye out for echidnas, lace monitors, and the diverse birdlife including white-bellied sea-eagles and rainbow bee-eaters.

Important: Observe from a distance. Do not feed wildlife—it disrupts natural behaviors and can be dangerous. Keep food secured in vehicles or sealed containers to avoid attracting animals to campsites.

Power Solutions for Off-Grid Camping at Somerset Dam

Many of Somerset Dam's best camping experiences—particularly at Kirkleagh, Camp Somerset, and private bush sites—offer no 230V power. For modern campers running refrigerators, charging boat batteries, or powering medical devices like CPAP machines, this presents a challenge. Traditional generators are prohibited at SEQWater-managed sites due to noise and environmental concerns, and are impractical in the peaceful bush settings that make Somerset Dam special.

This is where BLUETTI portable power stations become essential camping equipment. Unlike generators, these lithium battery systems operate silently (under 45dB), produce no fumes, and can be recharged via solar panels during the day while you fish or swim.

For serious anglers and extended stays: BLUETTI Elite 200 V2

The Elite 200 V2 delivers 2,073.6Wh of battery capacity with a 2,600W continuous output (4,000W surge), sufficient to run a 12V camping fridge for approximately 3–4 days, charge electric fillet knives for processing your bass catch, or power a CPAP machine overnight for multiple nights without recharge. The 1,000W solar input allows full recharging via portable solar panels in 2–3 hours of good Queensland sun—perfect for keeping your catch cold while you're out on the boat.

Key specifications:

• Battery Capacity: 2,073.6Wh
• AC Output: 2,600W (4,000W surge)
• Weight: 24.2kg (portable with integrated handles)
• Solar Input: 1,000W max
• Recharge: 80% in 50 minutes (AC), 2.5 hours (solar)

For weekend anglers and light campers: BLUETTI Elite 100 V2

The Elite 100 V2 offers 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output in a more compact 11.5kg package. Ideal for weekend trips, it comfortably runs camping lights, charges phones and cameras, powers a portable fridge overnight, and recharges trolling motor batteries. The 1,200W AC charging enables 0-80% in just 45 minutes if you have access to mains power at NRMA Holiday Park before heading to an off-grid site.

Key specifications:

• Battery Capacity: 1,152Wh
• AC Output: 1,800W (2,700W surge)
• Weight: 11.5kg
• Solar Input: 1000W max
• Noise Level: <30dB (whisper quiet)

Critical use cases at Somerset Dam:

• Keeping fish fresh: Power a 12V/240V portable fridge/freezer to store your bass and yellowbelly catch at safe temperatures
• Boat maintenance: Charge electric trolling motor batteries and fish finder batteries overnight
• Safety: Run medical devices (CPAP machines) without generator noise disturbing wildlife or fellow campers
• Communication: Keep phones, EPIRBs, and navigation devices charged in areas with limited mobile coverage

Smart Camping Tips

The best way to make your trip to Somerset Dam perfect is to plan it. Consider the following suggestions to make the trip convenient:

Best Visiting Times

March–May & September–November are ideal. Daytime temperatures are on the 15–25°C scale. There is also very little traffic. That makes it possible to find a good place to sit.

The flowers are blooming everywhere, the fish bite nicely, and walking is nice. Summer is the hot season. Therefore, it's ideal for boating and swimming at that time. But it's crowded during school breaks. Winter temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees. It may get even colder during the night. However, do not forget that there are places that allow fires during those moments.

Booking Your Campsite

Busy times fill up fast. Here is when to book:

• Christmas/summer holidays. Make a reservation 6 months earlier.
• Easter and school holidays. 3-6 months works well here.
• Long weekends: 2-3 months is the ideal time.

Safety Steps

• Fire Safety: Check current fire bans at qfes.qld.gov.au before departure. When total fire bans apply, no open fires are permitted—including in designated fire pits. Use gas cookers with caution. During permissible periods, bring your own firewood (collecting from the National Park is prohibited) and fully extinguish all embers with water, not sand.
• Sun Protection: Queensland sun is intense year-round. Apply SPF50+ sunscreen, wear wide-brimmed hats, and seek shade between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Water Safety: Always wear life jackets when boating. Observe designated swimming areas marked by buoys—submerged timber and variable depths create hazards outside these zones.
• Wildlife Awareness: Eastern brown snakes are active in warm months. Wear closed shoes when walking, use a torch at night, and maintain a clean campsite free of food scraps.

Mobile Coverage

The dam has areas with a weak phone signal. Telstra is generally reliable, but it occasionally fails. Download maps in advance. When walking a long way, leave someone with an idea of the direction you are taking.

Leave No Trace

As a primary drinking water source for Brisbane and Ipswich, Somerset Dam has strict environmental protections:

• All rubbish must be carried out—there are no bins at Kirkleagh or The Spit
• Use only provided toilets or approved portable toilet systems (chemical toilets must be emptied at designated dump points, not in bushland)
• Never wash dishes, clothes, or yourself with soap in the lake—phosphates damage water quality
• Dispose of grey water (sink/shower water) at least 100m from the lake
• Stay on marked paths to prevent erosion

Start Your Adventure to Somerset Dam

The Somerset Dam will present you with a lifetime of camping stories. Watch the sunset turn the lake orange and red. You may either fish or ride bicycles on abandoned train tracks or sit and watch the birds fly by. This is a place for everyone.

Secure your campsite early, check fire bans and fishing regulations before departure, and ensure you have reliable off-grid power. With a BLUETTI power station, you can keep your catch fresh, your devices charged, and your campsite silent.

FAQs

• Can I take my dog to the Somerset Dam to camp?

The majority of the areas around the lake are not pet-friendly. This is necessary so as to keep the drinking water safe. However, privately owned Hipcamp spots exist where dogs are allowed, but only on a leash. Always check the specific rules for your site.

• Do I need a fishing permit?

Yes. Adults need a SIPS permit. This is $13.15 per week and $62.47 per year. Children under the age of 18 do not require a fee to fish. They must be accompanied by an adult with a permit.

• How far from Brisbane?

It's approximately 90-115km: 80-90 minutes by car, depending on the route.

• Are generators allowed?

No. Somerset Park does not allow noisy generators. Quiet, smoke-free options like BLUETTI power stations are ideal.