Hinze Dam is a water supply reservoir on the Nerang River in Queensland‘s Gold Coast hinterland, featuring lakeside parks, walking trails and recreational facilities. This guide covers opening hours, parking, facilities, accessibility and practical tips for planning your visit.
The sanctuary is a key stop on the Springfield and Tamborine Rainforest day tour from Brisbane.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Gates open daily 6am–6pm. Visitor centre: Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm, weekends 10am–4pm |
| Entry price | Free admission. Free parking |
| Address | Advancetown Road, Advancetown, Queensland 4211 |
| Nearest town | Nerang (15 kilometres northeast), Advancetown (5 kilometres) |
| Time needed | 1–3 hours depending on activities (walk, picnic, café visit) |
| Distance from Gold Coast | Approximately 25 kilometres from Surfers Paradise (30 minutes’ drive) |
Hinze Dam opening hours
The main gates are open daily from 6am to 6pm. Visitors must exit before 6pm when gates close.
Hinze Dam Visitor Centre and View Café:
- Monday to Friday: 9am–4pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8.00am–5pm
The dam wall walking path and recreational areas are accessible during gate opening hours (6am–6pm).
Why book the Springbrook & Tamborine Rainforest tour from Brisbane?
- Explore World Heritage rainforest: Wander through ancient rainforest landscapes in Springbrook and Tamborine, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
- See Natural Bridge: Visit the stunning Natural Bridge rock formation and its cascading waterfall — a highlight of the region.
- Glow-worm cave experience: Enjoy the magical sight of glow-worms lighting up a cave in the rainforest after dusk.
- Expert local guide: Learn about the unique flora, fauna and geology of the Gold Coast hinterland from a knowledgeable guide.
- Comfortable day trip from Brisbane: Includes transport so you can relax and enjoy waterfalls, lookouts and rainforest walks without needing to plan logistics.
Hinze Dam ticket prices
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Entry to Hinze Dam is free. There are no admission charges for walking trails, picnic areas or recreational facilities.
Parking is free at all car parks within the dam precinct.
Fishing: A Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIPS) is required for fishing at Hinze Dam. Permits cost $62.47 per year and can be purchased online via the Queensland Government website. Catch and release fishing only is permitted at Hinze Dam.
How to get to Hinze Dam
Hinze Dam is located 15 kilometres southwest of Nerang via Advancetown Road (also called Nerang-Murwillumbah Road in sections).
From Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise): Take the M1 Pacific Motorway south towards Brisbane. Exit at Nerang (Exit 69). Follow Southport Nerang Road to Nerang, then take Advancetown Road west. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.
From Brisbane: Take the M1 Pacific Motorway south towards the Gold Coast. Exit at Nerang (Exit 69) and follow directions as above. Journey time is approximately 1 hour.
The Visitor Centre is accessed via Spillway Road, signposted from Advancetown Road. Picnic Parkland is accessed directly from Advancetown Road (before the Spillway Road turn-off).
Public transport: No direct public transport serves Hinze Dam. Limited bus services operate to Nerang from the Gold Coast. A private vehicle or tour operator transfer is required from Nerang.
From Brisbane, the easiest way to visit is on a Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest tour.
Parking at Hinze Dam
Free parking is available at multiple locations within the dam precinct:
Upper car park (Visitor Centre): Approximately 50–60 spaces near the visitor centre, View Café and spillway viewing platform. This car park provides access to the dam wall walking path.
Picnic Parkland car park: Large car park with approximately 80–100 spaces, located on Advancetown Road. This car park serves the main playground, picnic facilities and barbecue areas.
Spillway lookout car park: Small car park (8–10 spaces) at the base of the spillway for viewing the spillway when flowing.
Pocket Park and Waterside Park: Smaller car parks serving additional picnic areas along Advancetown Road.
Boat ramp car parks: Western Boat Ramp (Nerang-Murwillumbah Road) and Eastern Boat Ramp (Range Road) have dedicated car parks with boat trailer parking.
Parking is busiest between 10am and 2pm on weekends and school holidays, particularly at the Visitor Centre and Picnic Parkland.
How long to spend at Hinze Dam
Most visitors spend 1 to 3 hours at Hinze Dam, depending on chosen activities.
Dam wall walk (3 kilometres return): 45–60 minutes. The walk crosses the dam wall from the Visitor Centre to the Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct on the northern side.
Visitor Centre and café: 30–45 minutes to view educational displays and have refreshments at the View Café.
Picnic and playground: 1–2 hours for families using playground facilities and barbecue areas.
Boating and fishing: Half-day to full-day activities. Electric boats, kayaks, canoes and sailing craft are permitted on Advancetown Lake (formed by the dam).
Visitors combining multiple activities (walk, picnic, café) typically spend 2–3 hours.
Accessibility at Hinze Dam
The dam wall walking path is paved and accessible for wheelchairs and prams. The 3-kilometre path is level with gentle gradients, suitable for mobility aids.
Visitor Centre and View Café are wheelchair accessible with level entry and accessible toilets.
Picnic Parkland playground includes accessible pathways, though some playground equipment may not be suitable for children with limited mobility. Accessible picnic tables and barbecue facilities are available.
Accessible toilets are located at the Visitor Centre, Picnic Parkland, Pocket Park and Waterside Park.
Mountain bike trails are not wheelchair accessible and include uneven terrain, steep sections and technical features.
What to see at Hinze Dam
Hinze Dam was originally constructed in 1976, raised in 1989 and significantly upgraded in 2011 when the wall was raised by 15 metres. The dam now holds 310,730 megalitres of water at full capacity and is the main drinking water supply for the Gold Coast.
The dam is un-gated, meaning water flows over the spillway when the dam reaches 100 per cent capacity. When spilling, water tumbles down the centre of the 1,850-metre-long spillway into a plunge pool below, creating a dramatic spectacle visible from the spillway viewing platform.
Dam wall walk: A 3-kilometre paved path crosses the dam wall, offering panoramic views across Advancetown Lake to the surrounding Gold Coast hinterland and Springbrook National Park. Interpretive signage explains the dam’s construction, local flora, fauna and water management. The walk is popular with cyclists, walkers and joggers.
Hinze Dam Visitor Centre: Educational displays explain the 2011 upgrade project, the dam’s role in water supply and flood mitigation, and water conservation. The centre includes interactive exhibits suitable for children.
View Café: The café offers indoor and outdoor seating with views across Advancetown Lake. Menu includes breakfast, lunch, coffee, cakes and ice cream.
Picnic Parkland: The main recreation area includes a large playground with climbing structures, rope swings, slides and tunnels. The playground has a nautical theme with boat-shaped play equipment. Nine picnic tables (four sheltered) and four barbecues are available. The area is shaded by eucalyptus trees.
Wildlife: Kangaroos and wallabies are frequently seen grazing near the dam, particularly early morning and late afternoon. Koalas inhabit eucalyptus trees in surrounding bushland. Birdlife includes black swans, cormorants, eagles, rainbow lorikeets and king parrots.
Water activities: Electric-powered boats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, rowing shells and stand-up paddleboards are permitted on Advancetown Lake. Petrol-powered watercraft, water skiing and swimming are prohibited. Two boat ramps provide water access.
Fishing: Golden perch, silver perch, Australian bass, Mary River cod and saratoga are stocked in the dam. Fishing is catch and release only. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required.
Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct: Located on the northern side of the dam wall, this network of purpose-built mountain bike trails ranges from beginner to advanced. Access is via the dam wall or forest roads.
Practical tips for visiting Hinze Dam
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 9am or after 4pm to avoid peak crowds at the Visitor Centre and Picnic Parkland car parks on weekends. |
| If the dam is spilling (at 100 per cent capacity), visit the spillway viewing platform for dramatic water flow views. Check the Seqwater website for current dam levels. |
| Bring sun protection and water. The dam wall walk and picnic areas have limited shade, and temperatures can exceed 30°C in summer. |
| Dogs on leashes are permitted in Picnic Parkland, Pocket Park and on the pathway from Picnic Parkland to the upper car park. Dogs are not permitted on trails, the dam wall, in the café or Visitor Centre. |
| Electric boats and kayaks can be hired from local operators in Nerang. Contact the Visitor Centre for operator details. |
| Fishing requires a Queensland recreational fishing licence (free) and a Stocked Impoundment Permit ($50 per year). All fishing is catch and release only. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Hinze Dam suitable for children? | Yes. The Picnic Parkland playground is designed for children aged 3–12. The dam wall walk is suitable for all ages, and the View Café has children’s menu options. |
| Can you swim at Hinze Dam? | No. Swimming is prohibited in Advancetown Lake as it is a drinking water supply reservoir. |
| Are petrol boats allowed? | No. Only electric-powered boats, sailboats and paddle craft (kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards) are permitted. Petrol-powered boats, jet skis and water skiing are prohibited. |
| Is camping allowed at Hinze Dam? | No. Camping is not permitted at Hinze Dam. The nearest camping is at Cedar Lake Country Resort (private campground near Advancetown). |
| Can you see the dam spilling? | The dam spills when it reaches 100 per cent capacity, typically during periods of heavy rainfall. Check the Seqwater website for current dam levels. The spillway viewing platform provides the best viewing location. |
| Are there toilets and facilities? | Yes. Public toilets, picnic tables, barbecues (free), shelters and a playground are available at Picnic Parkland. The Visitor Centre has toilets and the View Café serves food and drinks. |
Things to do near Hinze Dam
Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park (20 kilometres west): A waterfall flowing through a rock arch and cave, home to Queensland’s largest natural glow worm colony. One-kilometre walking circuit. Best viewed at night for glow worms.
Springbrook National Park (25 kilometres west): UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest with walking trails, waterfalls including Purling Brook Falls, and lookout points.
Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves (25 kilometres north): Purpose-built glow worm sanctuary with 30-minute guided tours.
Curtis Falls (28 kilometres north): A 15-metre waterfall in Tamborine National Park accessed via a 1.1-kilometre walking trail.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk (30 kilometres north): A 1.5-kilometre elevated walkway through rainforest canopy with a 40-metre cantilever bridge.
Cedar Creek Falls (30 kilometres north): Rock pools and waterfall with swimming permitted. 500-metre walking trail.
More Queensland travel
- Other Queensland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Six reasons to visit K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
- Plan your visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.
- Guide to Old Government House in Brisbane.
- Plan your visit to the Queensland Maritime Museum in Brisbane.
A guide to walking in Bunya Mountains National Park.
