Lake Hume is a large reservoir located approximately 15 minutes from Albury Wodonga, straddling the border of New South Wales and Victoria. The lake covers 202 square kilometres and holds a capacity of 2,982 gigalitres, making it a substantial body of water with considerable fetch and exposure to wind. The lake is divided between NSW and Victoria at Bethanga Bridge, which serves as a notable landmark for paddlers on the water.

Access to the lake is available from multiple points around its approximately 400 kilometres of foreshore, much of which runs alongside state highways and secondary roads. Most boat ramps are located on the Victorian foreshore, though the NSW side also offers access. The Mitta Arm of the lake, accessible from the Murray Valley Highway, has four boat launching areas. Apex Park on the NSW side features a sandy beach and is noted as a good launch point, with paddling under Bethanga Bridge being a popular route from that location.

The lake supports canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding alongside motorised water sports including water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Paddlers should be aware that the lake sees significant motorised boat traffic, particularly on weekends and during warmer months when conditions attract large numbers of visitors. Wind conditions on the open lake can be significant given its size, and paddlers are advised to monitor wind forecasts carefully before heading out.

Fishing is a popular activity on the lake, with golden perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, Murray cod, and redfin present. Anglers require a Victorian Fishing Licence, which covers the entirety of Lake Hume across both states. The dam wall itself is 318 metres long and 51 metres high, with a viewing platform on the NSW side offering views across the lake. The dam was completed in 1936 and was at that time the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Facilities around the lake include picnic areas, barbecue facilities, and multiple boat ramps. The foreshore provides open areas suitable for launching and landing, with mountain views to the east visible from the dam wall area.