Looking across the Finley Lake, it is hard to imagine that at Finley’s beginning the lack of water posed a serious problem for those early settlers. They did find water in the late 1800s at the edge of this part time swamp (where the current lake exists) but it was unsuitable for human consumption.
Water, or more correctly the lack of it, continued to be a problem with the need for supplies to be brought in by rail and school children being asked to bring their own from home during the dryer years. It was not until 1941 that a town reservoir and water tower was completed making water available for general reticulation.
No scheme for the beatification of the town has displayed as much imagination as the plan to convert that swamp and drainage area bordered by the Newell and Riverina Highways into an ornamental lake.
In years of heavy rainfall when the area was flooded to capacity it was easy to visualise the possibilities of the proposition. After more than 10 years of discourse, planning, fundraising and construction - the Finley Lake was officially opened on 6th November 1975.
From that day the Finley Lake has provided a welcome oasis for the weary traveller as well as being a venue for many and varied water recreational pursuits. (Taken from http://finley.org.au/thelake)
There is a wooden boardwalk / pier adjacent to the carpark where you can launch a canoe!