Stretching over 1.5km long with plenty of room for everyone, Lake Corella, between Mount Isa and Cloncurry, is not so much a campsite but a way of life.
When we recently called into this ‘freebie’ spot for a couple of days’ rest after some long, hot days behind the wheel, arriving at this outback oasis was a real eye-opener.
Camping right on the water’s edge or around several side arms of the lake, there must have been more than 50 motorhomes, campervans, caravans, camper-trailers and even tents, some obviously camping alone (plenty of room to spread out here) and others in numerous small clusters enjoying each other’s company.
It was mid-winter, but up here shorts, T-shirts and thongs were all the go with daytime temperatures nudging 30°C – a really great spot to escape the cold winter blues down south.
Looking across the wall of the dam
One thing here that really struck us, was that for most of the campers this was not an overnight rest spot with plans to move on the next day, it was their ‘home base’ for days, weeks and in some instances, several months … and it was easy to understand why.
Created by the damming of the Corella River back in the early days of setting up the large uranium mining operation at nearby Mary Kathleen, Lake Corella, originally a valuable water supply these days is serving a very different purpose. In the usually hot, dry outback of Australia, the sight of water, even murky brown rivers, somehow seems to have magnetic appeal. When you find a place like Lake Corella however, with its lovely blue water vista, it is understandably a place that’s hard to leave.
We had heard about the place from some fellow travellers and when we came to what appears to be a locked gate across the access road approximately 53km west of Cloncurry, we knew that the chain here isn’t actually locked unless there has been recent rain making access dif? cult or impassable. After closing the gate behind us and slowly following a quite good condition gravel track (approximately 1.5km), the delightful outback scene of Lake Corella opened up in front of us.
Going fishing on the lake
Surrounded by colourful red, rocky hills the multi-fingered waterway here is not only a scenic delight, it is also a popular spot for the fishos. For those who come prepared with small dinghies, it is possible to catch a feed of yellow belly, black bream or cod, but the most popular and rewarding activity was setting pots in the deeper water for red claw (yabbies). Talking to some of the ‘locals’ it was clear that with just a little effort, they were catching enough for a good feed, or at least a sizeable entrée almost every day. Freshwater mussels are also an option here, simply by walking around in shallow water and digging them up with your feet. Too easy and quite yummy, too.
Lake Corella is also a popular spot for canoeing or with a small sailing boat or even a wind surfer – you are in for many hours of fun in this idyllic, well protected waterway. Getting your boat into the water is also quite easy either from the official boat ramp or from your campsite just about anywhere around the edge of the lake.
Cattle graze near the lake.
If you are interested in birdlife, then here at Lake Corella you will be in heaven with many varieties in the trees and especially on the water – including pelicans, brolgas, kites, ducks, darters, babblers, egrets, jabirus, finches, ring-neck parrots and heaps more. Cattle can also be seen wandering through the campsites on the way down to the water for a drink. There are also some pleasant walks to be enjoyed here and on the wildlife front, a quiet stroll around the western section of the lake will often reveal a number of freshwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks and even an occasional camel can be sighted in the distance.
Campers here at the lake must be fully self-sufficient as there are no facilities provided except a few rubbish bins scattered around the foreshore. As these bins are often full, please be prepared to take your rubbish away you with. There is very little shade available, except for a few sites well away from the water.
For those keen on photography, Lake Corella is a real delight. The ever-changing colours of the surrounding hillsides, the birdlife and boating activity on the water, the peaceful camping scenes, not to mention the colourful sunsets over the water are all just lovely. Yes, you will have trouble putting your camera down.
The wall of the dam.
Coming back to the campers, well, we found them a pretty sociable lot with plenty of happy hours, camp?re get-togethers, etc. and if you need a few basic supplies (to extend your stay even further) there is always someone heading into Cloncurry (53km away) or Mount Isa (67km) to bring them back for you … or go for the short drive yourself. While you can collect water from the lake to do your washing or other general camp use, drinking water must be brought with you or re-supplied in your occasional trips ‘into town’.
Other nearby outings from Lake Corella includes a visit to the old, now abandoned township of Mary Kathleen just 10km away heading westwards towards Mount Isa. Here at the old town, all buildings and infrastructure have been removed (in a huge on-site sale years ago) leaving just the streets, curbing and many cement slabs where homes and businesses used to be. These slabs today make great campsites (just like in caravan parks) and during our recent visit we found 6 or 8 campervans and caravans set up here in the now quite eerie peace and quiet under the shade of trees right in the middle of the old town. There is also a sealed (but in poor/potholed condition) roadway leading some 7km to the old mine site. Close to the site the road has only recently been fenced off with a locked gate which we understand is in preparation for the re-opening soon of mining activity in the area.
Another beaut outing, only 7km west from Lake Corella (near the Fountain Springs Rest Area on the highway), is a Mining Heritage Trail – a 4WD track (quite rough in sections) into the Argylla Range to the old copper mining settlements of Ballara, Bulonga and Hightville, and at the end of the trail (around 25km) is the colourful cliff face and deep, permanent waterhole at Fountain Springs. Allow around 4 to 5 hours for this outing along what is a very interesting and quite scenic adventure trail into the area’s century old historic past.
The gate to Clem Walton Park.
Back at the lake, an alternative campsite is through another closed gate – entry sign Timburu Station (Clem Walton Park) near the lake, leading to (after 1.6km) a nice tree-lined area beside a creek. In this area, mostly suitable for smaller units, is a nice picnic area with toilets and bins, tables and chairs and plenty of shade. This area was originally set up back in the 1950s as a picnic area for the workers and residents of nearby Mary Kathleen uranium mining township. The creek (overhung with a red rock cliff) here was pretty dry during our recent visit, so we opted for the more crowded but much more scenically appealing lakeside camping option.
Lake Corella – make it a ‘must do’ on your next trip through north west Queensland – you’ll be pleased you did.
