The third annual Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt has wrapped up for 2025, with the $3,000 grand prize won by Gladstone local, Melinda Cowburn.
The Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt is an initiative of Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB), which owns and operates Awoonga Dam.
The free community-focused event encourages families to visit Lake Awoonga and hunt for our elusive mascot: “Barry the Barramundi”, with the help of useful clues.
GAWB CEO Darren Barlow said the Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt enables participants to explore the natural beauty of Lake Awoonga.
“We’re very proud of the Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt and we look forward to running this free, family friendly activity for the community again next year,” Mr Barlow said.
“Lake Awoonga is a wonderful place to spend the day, with expanded recreational reas, a new playground at Riverston Bay, and the immensely popular Aquaculture Gladstone interpretive display just a short drive up the road,” he said.
The scavenger hunt runs for four months and challenges participants to find clues for the hunt on GAWB social media channels and via our media partners: 4CC and Gladstone News.
After following the clues and finding Barry the Barramundi, participants can scan a QR code and submit their entry.
Every month, a lucky participant is randomly selected to receive a $500 gift card, before drawing the grand prize at the Lake Awoonga Adventure Race.
This year’s winner, Melinda Cowburn, won a $3,000 Visa gift card, and was thrilled with the win.
“The scavenger hunt on its own is a great event, but it was fantastic to draw the grand prize winner at the Lake Awoonga Adventure Race,” Mr Barlow said.
“The Adventure Race is always a highlight for locals who are keen to test their fitness in the water with kayaking, and on the land with running and cycling.
“We send our thanks and congratulations to the Benaraby Progress Association for another successful event.
“We also thank Hammo and the team from 4CC, who carried out an outdoor broadcast at the event and have been our media partners for the Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt.”
GAWB has proudly sponsored the Lake Awoonga Adventure Race since 2019.