Warragamba Dam

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Posted 2014-05-26 by Anne Dignam ⇒ follow

On the outskirts of Penrith, near Silverdale and Wallacia is Sydney's water supply , part of the Wollondilly Shire.

There are 2 ways of viewing the Dam. The first may I suggest be at Eighteenth Street, Warragamba – turn right passing the shops and taking a left steep road down pass the Warragamba Workers Club, to the end of the road. There is little signposting and it's far from accurate as we found out.

This gated section closes at 5pm and you have a wonderful view of from the southern end, viewing the spillages and barrels and runoffs when they open their gates to release logs or excess water. There are stations explaining what has happened since Warragamba's creation of the Dam in 1960.

is the largest concrete dam in Australia holding 80% of Sydney's drinking water. Sydney Catchment Authority took control of in 1999 in order to supply clean and cleansed water to Sydney, Blue Mts and Southern Highlands of NSW. Auxiliary spillways and major changes have been made since SCA have taken over responsibility of the Dam.

Heading to the Visitors Centre, which closes at 4pm, was a bit tricky; there is little to no signposting, after many wrong turns and so close yet so far frustrated moments, may I suggest you keep on the main road, keeping the shops to your right, this will lead you past this water tower and down to some automatic gates at Haviland Park. Here you may park your car and enjoy the park or visit the Centre. No cameras are allowed in the centre.

There are large value and pump machinery outside the centre with stations explaining the values operation.

The first thing I noticed were the massive changes since I was last here 30 years ago as a child. You can no longer walk the dam wall, but I believe in the next year or two this maybe a possibility.

Haviland Park, is a large park where you can picnic, relax or walk and there is a Visitors Centre, with 2 look down points. Inside the Visitors Centre a large window overlooking the dam for those cold winter days, so you can stay warm. The centre is "information overload" so don't be in a rush while here. We arrived late afternoon with the sun shining across the water which was blinding and unfortunately we couldn't see the beauty of the river system beyond the dam.

Lake Burragorang, was once, strongly connected with the Gundungarra people who lived here before it was flooded and became . Learn about the aboriginal dreamtime stories and many interactive and interesting facts of the creation of the dam.

A wonderful day out for all and a great venue for a large group. Later in the year I believe a few more areas will be opened, so keep a lookout for small changes.