Boat ramp reopens at Boynedale following significant rain event over Awoonga Dam

Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) has reopened the Trevor Burgess Boat Ramp at Boynedale, following a significant rain event at Awoonga Dam. 

The Trevor Burgess Boat Ramp, which is located at Boynedale on the southern side of Lake Awoonga, is now open to use after the dam levels increased from 46% on Friday 6 March to 68.7% on Friday 13 March. 

GAWB CEO Darren Barlow said this is a great outcome for the fishing community, as well as the region. 

“This March rain event has delivered much needed water inflows to Awoonga Dam and as the water has risen, it means boats can now launch from the Trevor Burgess Boat Ramp, which is an excellent facility near the Boynedale Bush Camp,” Mr Barlow said. 

“It’s a great place to visit, camp, hike the rail trail, and now visitors can once again launch the boat.” 

The water inflow has been a significant boost to the dam, with water levels now higher than it has been since 2019. 

Over the course of the week, from Friday 6 March to Friday 13 March, the dam height has risen from 31.8 metres to 36.09 metres. 

The Trevor Burgess Boat Ramp was officially opened in July 2023 and was closed in October 2025 because of falling water levels.