Kinchant Dam

Kinchant Dam is located in the picturesque Pioneer Valley and is 41 kilometres west of Mackay. The Dam was built on Sandy Creek to provide irrigation and town water in 1977, it holds 62 800 mega litres of water at an average depth of 6.8 metres and has a surface area of 920 hectares when full.

The dam is stocked by local fish stocking association MAFSA which includes Sooty Grunter, Sleepy Cod and since 2000, Barramundi. There are also breeding populations of Fork Tailed Catfish, Eel Tailed Catfish, Spangled Perch and Mouth Almighty. There is no boating or speed limit restrictions here, and it is a very popular spot on the weekends for those with their own speed boats, jet skis and water ski. A concrete boat ramp is provided.

Accommodation which includes camping sites, van site, dorm accommodation and self contained units are available at the dam and are provided by Kinchant Waters Leisure Resort.

To get to Kinchant Dam, travel west from Mackay through North Eton and follow the signs to the dam, which can also be accessed via a bitumen and dirt road from Mirani, past the Pioneer Valley Golf Course. At Kinchant there is a beautiful park area overlooking the dam, ideal for picnics with barbecue and toilet facilities close by. It has a kiosk, licensed restaurant, and activities other than fishing such as bushwalking and mountain bike riding.