BIG expanses of water often bring a sense of tranquillity, and that’s what you’ll find amid the beauty of Lake Maraboon and Fairbairn Dam, just 18km from Emerald.

Lake Maraboon is aboriginal for “where the black ducks fly”. Three-and-a-half times the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Maraboon supplies water for the Emerald Irrigation Scheme, the coal mining industry and domestic use. Its capacity is 1,440,000 megalitres, and the “coastline” is 250km long.

To savour the serenity, stay at Lake Maraboon Holiday Village on the shores of Lake Maraboon. Accommodation ranges from air-conditioned cabins to caravan and tent sites. There is also a restaurant and bar, a pool in a semi-tropical setting and a kiosk.

Do some birdwatching or go tramping in the bushland. Fishing is a rewarding pastime, as there are eight varieties of fish stocked in the lake. You can also catch the famous redclaw, the area’s freshwater crayfish. If you do, here’s a recipe to try. Cut the redclaw down the middle and rinse. Place in a frying pan with half an inch of white wine. When the redclaw shells turn red, remove from heat. Sprinkle grated tasty cheese on the redclaw meat. Mix garlic and thickened cream together and pour over redclaw in the pan. Return to heat for no more than one minute, and let sit for one minute before eating.