If you attended a primary school within the Sydney area, chances are you once passed an enjoyable day at
Warragamba Dam as part of a school excursion.
Certainly, there are enough notable features for a trip to the Dam to be particularly enlightening. As the primary source of Sydney's water supply, the Dam is based in the Warragamba River, which is connected to the
Hawkesbury River.
If you have never had the pleasure of visiting a dam of any description, it is difficult to convey the scale of the place. The most striking aspect of standing before the grant concrete structures is the feat of engineering that must have occurred to stem the flow of the Warragamba tributary. Dam walls are built to withstand the corrosive effect of water, and often change the landscape itself.
This is certainly the case for Warragamba Dam, although the vicissitudes of Sydney's rainfall have guaranteed that the water levels have made hardly any impact upon the intricate structures that constitute the mechanics of the dam itself.
There are four main attractions for visitors to Warragamba Dam, including the
Warragamba Dam Grounds, the
Warragamba Recreational Reserve,
Burragorang Lookout, and
18th Street Lookout.
The Dam grounds themselves make provision for interested members of the public, with viewing platforms, and a visitor's centre. The Recreational Reserve also provides picnic and BBQ facilities, within striking distance of a children's playground. After enjoying a picnic with the family, you can choose between the two look-outs. While views of Lake Burragorang are striking and picturesque, it is also possible to take in the sight of the Auxiliary Spillway, for those of you who are more interested in the engineering features of Warragamba.
Before planning a trip to Warragamba Dam, it is important to read the NSW Government's
Visitor do's and dont's to ensure that your visit to one of the largest domestic dams in the world is safe as well as enjoyable.
