Warragamba Dam, Australia’s largest concrete dam, created Lake Burragorang, which serves as Sydney’s primary water supply reservoir.
A visit to the dam’s visitor centre and nearby lookouts offers a unique chance to explore its fascinating history and importance.
Read on to uncover the story behind Warragamba Dam and find out how to make the most of your visit.
Getting There
Warragamba Dam is easy to reach, with clear signposting along the way.
If you’re coming via the M4 Motorway, turn left onto the Northern Road (A9) towards Wallacia. Then, take Kingshill Road and follow the signs to Warragamba Dam.
For those driving in from the south, turn off the Northern Road onto Willmington Road, then take Park Road and follow the signs from there.
Two large parking areas near the visitor centre provide convenient options for parking your car.
Official address:
1 Production Avenue, Warragamba NSW 2752 (see location on map).
About Warragamba Dam
Warragamba Dam is one of the largest domestic water supply dams in the world. Even more remarkably, Lake Burragorang, formed by the dam, is four times the size of Sydney Harbour.
If you have time after visiting the dam, consider driving south to Burragorang Lookout for stunning views of this expansive lake.
The dam has a reservoir capacity of over 2,000 gigalitres, with the lake’s surface area spanning an impressive 75 square kilometres.
Construction of this engineering marvel began in 1948 and was finally completed in 1960.
It took three million tonnes of concrete to create the barrier in the Warragamba River, which ultimately formed Lake Burragorang, now Sydney’s largest water source.
In 1999, the Sydney Catchment Authority took over management of the dam to ensure clean water supply for the Sydney Metro, Blue Mountains, and Southern Highlands areas of New South Wales. Today, it is managed by Water NSW.
The dam grounds were closed for a decade to undergo major upgrades and reopened to the public in 2009, featuring a new visitor centre and an auxiliary spillway designed to handle extreme flood events.
| Warragamba Dam in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Height: | 142 metres |
| Width: | 351 metres |
| Thickness base: | 104 metres |
| Thickness top: | 8.5 metres |
The Workforce
Nearly 2,000 people from over 25 countries worked tirelessly, seven days a week, to build Warragamba Dam.
To accommodate the workers and their families during construction, the Warragamba township was purpose-built as a dedicated village.
The township fostered a strong sense of community, hosting regular pub nights, dance events, and English classes for immigrant workers.
In 2012, a memorial was unveiled to honour the 15 men who lost their lives during the construction of the dam.
Visitor Centre
Warragamba Dam features an excellent visitor centre packed with information about the dam, its construction, how it operates, and more.
The Visitor Centre is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, except on Christmas Day and Good Friday. The dam grounds are open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, extending to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving time.
One of the first things you’ll notice upon arriving at the visitor centre are the two massive green valves. Manufactured in England and installed at the dam in 1958, these valves were originally used to control the flow of water through the pipes.
In 2005, they were replaced with more efficient German-engineered butterfly valves, though the originals remain on display as a nod to the dam’s history.
Lookout Points
You can enjoy excellent views of the dam from a steel platform located on the western side of the visitor centre. On the opposite side, another lookout provides access to a path where you can walk onto the top of the dam wall.
From the dam wall, you’ll be treated to impressive views of Lake Burragorang on one side and the Warragamba River on the other.
Keep in mind that pedestrian access to the dam wall is only available on weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 4 pm.
For another perspective, head to the lookout on Eighteenth Street, which offers great views of the dam wall and the auxiliary spillway.
Picnic Areas
The area around Warragamba Dam features several excellent picnic spots, making it a popular destination for weekend visitors.
Haviland Park, located just south of the visitor centre, offers plenty of open space, picnic facilities, and toilets, making it ideal for a relaxing day out.
A bit further away, Warragamba Waterboard Oval serves as the home ground of the Warradale Football Club. This area includes a soccer field, tennis courts, and a spacious picnic area with a playground, covered BBQs, and toilet facilities.
Additionally, there are picnic tables in the park area on the northern side of Warragamba Dam. This peaceful spot is perfect for a stroll, offering lovely views of the dam wall.
I’m looking forward to seeing the dam and the Warragamba River tomorrow. My relative, explorer George William Evans, was the first settler to see this area in the early 1800’s.
Wow that’s very interesting, Julie. Hope you’ll have a great day exploring the area, it’s beautiful out there.
Thank you for taking the trouble to post this informative piece on the Burragorang Lookout (and also Warragamba Dam).
I visited the Lookout about 47 years ago, just once, and liked it very much then. I’m sure that the paths and facilities around the lookout have changed somewhat over that time, and this page has actually been helpful. Your efforts to bring this to people interested in walks in the bush, etc. in Australia are appreciated by me, and I am sure, by many others.
Thanks for your kind words Janine, hopefully you can visit this beautiful place again in the future.