After 30 years of closure, once- popular freshwater Lake Bonney is bringing back locals and tourists Sam, 7, Max, 5, and Mason, 5, play on the sand dunes overlooking Lake Bonney. TOURISTS and locals are flocking to Lake Bonney in the state's South-East after the coastal jewel's three decades of isolation finally ended. A century ago, it was a popular fishing and picnic spot, but wastewater from pulp mills, and a dangerous legacy from the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, had made the freshwater lake in southeastern South Australia off-limits for recreational use. Charred logs from the devastating fires were stored there, but the lake became unsafe to use after a storm washed many of them into the water. But recent state government inspections of the lake found that water quality had improved and many of the logs have been removed. The waters are now deemed safe for use by canoes and kayaks. Adjoining the Canunda National Park, the sweeping views, giant dunes and nearby ocean are helping put the lake, 13km southwest of Millicent, back on the tourism map. "It's just a fantastic location that not many people know about," Millicent Mayor Peter Gandolfi said. It was a popular fishing and picnic spot and now a lot of people are using the surrounding dunes for four-wheel-driving and camping ... and you've got the ocean on the other side, so it ticks a lot of boxes for campers. Mr Gandolfi believes that in just a few years, boats and adventure-seekers will be allowed back in the waters, making it a popular tourist destination. "Once we've identified all the stray logs, there will be a management plan put in place," he said. I hope within the next few years, we'll be able to have yachts and boats back in the lake and let even more people enjoy this place which is our backyard. Sam, Max Hunt and Mason play on the shores of Lake Bonney.