New boating rules for Lake Nagambie and stretches of the Goulburn River will be in place from Saturday 1 November 2025, improving boating safety and catering for a wider variety of recreational boating ahead of the summer boating season.

A summary of the significant changes is outlined below.

The full (gazetted) waterway rules are here: Goulburn River from Hughes Creek to Goulburn Weir including Lake Nagambie

Lake Nagambie

Summary of amended waterway rules

What has changed
New speed limit 20 knots speed restriction applies to all powered vessels on the Lake.
Prohibited activities
  • Freestyling, such as tricks and stunts, on personal watercrafts (i.e. jet skis).
  • Bathing and swimming between Deliah Island and the Nagambie Lake Leisure Park shore.
  • The use of wake-enhancing devices on vessels, including when the vessel is used for wake surfing or wakeboarding.
No wash zones Within all 5 knot speed restriction areas vessels, must operate with minimal or no wash.

What stays the same

  • 5 knot speed restriction areas, the rowing course area and areas prohibited to vessels.
  • Direction of travel for powered vessels is still anti clockwise (except when travelling at speeds <5 knots).
  • The 5 knot speed restriction between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
  • The prohibition on vessels involved in aerial related activities.

Goulburn River – From Hughes Creek to the Goulburn Weir

Summary of changes

What has changed
New speed limits 30 knot speed limit now applies in previous unrestricted speed areas such as the Exclusive & Special purpose zone for waterskiing, and 50m downstream of Kirwans Bridge to Goulburn Weir. This excludes vessels towing a person who is barefoot water-skiing, provided they do not exceed 35 knots.

Within these areas, vessels engaged in water skiing are excluded from clause 2(c) (5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel) only when both vessels are engaged in water-skiing, however the rule still applies when within 50 metres of any other vessel.
Other speed restriction zones Some 20 knot / 5 knot speed restriction zone boundaries have changed, with changes clearly marked.

Key changes include: the river adjacent to the Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park and at the entrance to Lake Nagambie is now 5 knots; and all of Goulburn Weir downstream of Verges Jetty.
No wash zones Within all 5 knot speed restriction areas, vessels must operate with minimal or no wash.
Prohibited activities The use of wake-enhancing devices on vessels, including when the vessel is used for wake surfing or wakeboarding.

What stays the same

  • The 5 knot speed restriction areas in backwaters, 50m either side of bridges and boat ramps.
  • The 5 knot speed restriction between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
  • Waterskiing is still prohibited between Hughes Creek to Kirwans Bridge including backwaters (excluding the special purpose waterski zone).
  • The prohibition on vessels involved in aerial related activities.
  • The prohibited area under Chinamans Bridge still applies, until further notice.