Queens Lake picnic area
Queens Lake Nature Reserve
Overview
Perfect for swimming, boating and fishing, Queens Lake picnic area, in Queens Lake Nature Reserve, is an ideal family day out on the Mid North Coast, near Port Macquarie.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Queens Lake Nature Reserve in North Coast
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching.
Be warned; once discovered, you might not want to leave the natural beauty of Queens Lake picnic area, just a short drive south of Port Macquarie. Nestled amongst towering eucalypts and lush rainforest, this idyllic lakeside spot is a refreshing oasis in the summer months. Situated in Queens Lake Nature Reserve on the Mid North Coast, it’s a great day out for families and nature-lovers who enjoy a secluded getaway without the crowds.
While away a relaxing day filled with swimming, fishing and boating. Or just sit back in the shade while the little ones enjoy paddling in the calm waters. After a relaxing lunch at the picnic tables, launch the boat or canoe from the small wharf and explore the lake.
The surrounding forests make it perfect for wildlife and birdwatching. You might see glossy black cockatoos, swift parrots and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a koala.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/queens-lake-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Queens Lake Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Queens Lake Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Queens Lake picnic area .
Getting there and parking
Queens Lake picnic area is in the southern precinct of Queens Lake Nature Reserve. To get there:
From Ocean Drive
- From the townships of Lake Cathie or Bonny Hills, turn onto Bonny View Drive
- Turn left onto Jolley Nose Drive, then right onto Corama Place.
- Turn left onto Waterloo Creek Road
- Continue to Queens Lake Road, turn left, and continue to the picnic area.
From Pacific Highway
- Turn off the highway onto Bobs Creek Ro ad just north of Herons Creek
- Continue for 4km, veer right onto Waterloo Creek Road, and drive for 1km.
- Turn right onto Queens Lake Road and continue to the picnic area
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Queens Lake picnic area can become boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at Queens Lake picnic area.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Queens Lake Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Take advantage of the milder weather and go windsurfing on the lake. Or, if you prefer to stay on land, explore the reserve on foot and enjoy a spot of birdwatching along the way.
Summer
It's an ideal time to use the reserve's riverside location to enjoy swimming, fishing, paddling and boating.
Winter
Use the cooler months as an opportunity to get yourself active and go cycling through the reserve. You might even spot some wildlife as you're riding along.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
43°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
165mm
Facilities
- Please note there are no toilet facilities in this picnic area.
- Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it's a good idea to bring your own.
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Boat ramp
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Queens Lake picnic area is in Queens Lake Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Flocks and feathers
The lake and coastal region attracts not only wildlife, but makes for some the best bird watching in the region. Bring your binoculars for a feast of feathered beauties. You’ll see nectar-loving birds such as the honey-eaters and threatened swift parrot feast in the spring on native blossoms.
- Queens Lake picnic area Perfect for swimming, boating and fishing, Queens Lake picnic area, in Queens Lake Nature Reserve, is an ideal family day out on the Mid North Coast, near Port Macquarie.
Local wildlife
With such an array of vegetation, there’s a staggering 200 species of bats, possums and gliders that have been recorded in the reserve, and probably dozens that haven’t yet been identified. At night, the bush comes alive with yellow-bellied gliders, grey-headed flying foxes and the smaller insect-eating micro-bats. Old growth forests provide an important habitat for the magnificent large forest owls. If you’re still around in the evening, you might hear the powerful, masked and sooty owls as their haunting calls echo through the forest. Queens Lake Nature Reserve is also an important refuge for the koala, as development encroaches further on its habitat. The reserve is home to a number of koalas that have been rehabilitated and released by Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
- Queens Lake picnic area Perfect for swimming, boating and fishing, Queens Lake picnic area, in Queens Lake Nature Reserve, is an ideal family day out on the Mid North Coast, near Port Macquarie.
Towering giants
This reserve protects several significant ‘old growth’ areas and ‘old tree’ hotspots where you can see some of the forest giants that used to inhabit the region. With diverse eco-systems ranging from coastal, lakeside, rainforest and swamplands; it’s a haven for a huge range of tree-dwelling animals, frogs and birds, including a number of threatened species.
- Queens Lake picnic area Perfect for swimming, boating and fishing, Queens Lake picnic area, in Queens Lake Nature Reserve, is an ideal family day out on the Mid North Coast, near Port Macquarie.