Aroona Dam is an oasis in the outback if ever there was one.
Early explorer Edward John Eyre shared these observations when he stumbled across the area in 1894:
“.. for seven miles among the hills, to a point where the scenery is peculiarly grand and sublime. The cliffs rose perpendicularly from the channel of the water course to a height from 600 to 800 feet, towering about us in awful and imposing prominences. At the base was large pool of clear, though brackish water.”
While the explorers of Eyre’s day did not tend to describe their travels with much enthusiasm, it is clear that Eyre himself was taken aback by the splendour of the area.
What is Aroona Dam, exactly?
Today, the pond of brackish water has transformed into a reservoir with a capacity of about 5,000 megalitres.
Built by the Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) between 1952 and 1955, Aroona Dam was established to supply the nearby mining town of Leigh Creek and its eponymous coalfield.
Coal mining operations ceased in 2015, and the following year, the town started to source its water from a bore field a few kilometres to the south.
Now, Aroona Dam’s pristine winters and surrounding bush are perfect for recreation seekers and nature lovers alike.
The access road terminates at a picnic area on a peninsula that juts out into the reservoir, and it’s a beautiful spot to rest a while and soak up the outback ambience. Here there are also toilets and picnic tables.
During golden hour, the brown hills around the lake light up orange as their near-vertical rock layers dip into the water. It is an amazing place to spend a few hours, and you’re unlikely to run into other people here.
Can you camp at Aroona Dam?
No, you cannot camp at Aroona Dam.
As a kid, I remember seeing campers at the bottom of the dam wall, but this is now prohibited as various signs at the dam will point out.
Camping at Aroona Dam should not be confused with the Aroona Campground – a national park campground nestled in the beautiful Aroona Valley.
More information about the Aroona Campground can be found here.
If you’d like to camp nearby, my pick would be the Copley Caravan Park.
For something slightly closer, try a campsite at the Leigh Creek Outback Resort.
Hiking around Aroona Dam
Keen to strap on the boots?
There are two main hikes to choose from.
Aroona Sanctuary Interpretive Trail
One lesser-known aspect of Aroona Dam is the 44 square kilometre nature sanctuary that surrounds it.
Declared in 1995, Aroona Sanctuary is the result of the concerted efforts of more than 200 locals to preserve and protect local flora and fauna. Before this, the land had suffered serious degradation from rabbits and goats.
Yellow-footed rock wallabies were released in 1996 and the population remains today. You may also spot turtles, swans, emus, wallabies, kangaroos, and some of the over 100 bird species such as rainbow bee-eaters, red-capped robins and white-plumed honeyeaters.
To immerse yourself in the glorious bushland that surrounds the lake, take the 5.5-kilometre interpretive walking trail which starts from the car park and toilet area. This trail is sometimes referred to as the Mount Aroona Loop Hike.
Sadly, some of the signage has seen better days and is a little hard to follow.
But intrepid hikers will be rewarded as the trail traverses mountainous terrain, saltbush rangelands, creeks lined with river red guns, rocky outcrops, and wetlands below the dam wall.
Akurra Trail
The 10.5-kilometre Akurra Trail links Aroona Dam with the Leigh Creek township and will be attractive for those who want to learn more about Indigenous culture, tradition, language and country.
The Akurra Trail starts near the hospital on Black Oak Drive and then continues in a general westerly direction toward the dam. Eventually, it emerges on the banks opposite the picnic area.
There are also two looped sections of the trail to ensure you see some different scenery on the way out and on the way back.
Can you fish in Aroona Dam?
Yes!
The dam was opened to recreational fishing in 2018, with 20,000 callop (otherwise known as yellow belly or golden perch) and 10,000 Murray cod released the following February.
If you want to fish at Aroona Dam, you’ll need a permit which can be purchased from the SA Water website.
Murray cod are catch and release all year round. For golden perch, there is a minimum length of 33 centimetres and a personal daily bag limit of 2 fish.
What else can you do at Aroona Dam?
In April 2019, the dam was open to non-motorised watercraft which includes canoes and kayaks.
Depending on your level of fitness, you could easily cover most if not all of the reservoir in a few hours.
But the best parts, in my opinion, are the secluded inlets and other areas of Aroona Dam that are not accessible to people on the land. Take your time in any case and enjoy what this special area has to offer.
Kayaks can be hired from reception at the nearby Leigh Creek Outback Resort.
How do you access Aroona Dam?
To access Aroona Dam, look for the turnoff just under 4 kilometres south of the town itself.
The dirt road in (which runs around 6 kilometres) can sometimes be rough, but is still suitable for 2WDs.
Note also that sections of Aroona Dam are reserved for either fishing or watercraft activities. These areas are clearly designated on signboards should you need clarification.
Happy exploring!
