Lake Bennett: a freshwater lake with a history

Lake Bennett is an artificial freshwater lake south of Darwin, set in a landscape of tropical wilderness. Its story began not as a visitor attraction, but with a practical use for the water. Today, the name brings together a lake where visitors can swim and a development that progressed from a natural waterhole to a dam and, eventually, recognition as a recreational destination. Located on the Stuart Highway, Lake Bennett lies about 87 kilometres south of Darwin, making its location easy to pinpoint. Development began in the early 1970s; by the end of the decade, Lake Bennett was established as a recreational destination.

From waterhole to recreational destination

In the early 1970s, Victorian cattle farmers George and Ken Bennett developed Lake Bennett on land held under a pastoral lease. Initially, the site had a natural waterhole. The brothers enlarged it by building a dam, to provide water for irrigation and small-scale grazing. So, a natural waterhole and an artificial lake here do not refer to two different places, but to two stages in the development of the same body of water.

In its early years, the names “Bennett's Dam” and “Bennett's Lake” were also used informally. They refer to two aspects of its origins: the dam that was built and the enlarged body of water. By the end of the 1970s, Lake Bennett was already established and publicly recognised as a recreational destination. The area's history therefore includes both the practical use of the water and its later role as a place for recreation. The former names recall its beginnings, while Lake Bennett is the name used today.

Swimming and paddling at the lake

Visitors can swim at Lake Bennett. Canoe and kayak hire has also been offered; check before you arrive whether hire is available for your travel dates. Public access for swimming is only through the resort. Before your visit, check with the resort for the current access arrangements and follow local safety advice when swimming.

If you are travelling with children, it helps to plan these activities separately: for swimming, check the access arrangements and local advice; for paddling, also confirm that hire is available. This will help you decide whether swimming will be the main focus of your stay or whether you would also like to go canoeing or kayaking, without assuming that hire will be available.

Planning your trip to Lake Bennett

If you plan to swim, check the current access arrangements; for paddling, the availability of canoe or kayak hire is also important. Its location on the Stuart Highway, about 87 kilometres south of Darwin, also helps you plan where Lake Bennett fits into your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Malak, Kakadu, Driver, Alyangula, Nightcliff, Ludmilla, Petermann, Marrakai.

Return to the main travel guide: Northern Territory.