Wollondilly Tourism : Nature in the Wollondilly Shire :

Avon Dam - Bargo

Work on Avon Dam began in 1921 and was completed in 1927 at a cost of around $6.3 million. It was strengthened in 1971 at a cost of $3.8 million by buttressing its downstream face with a rock fill embankment.

• Height: 72 metres

• Length: 223 metres

• Total capacity: 214,360 mega litres

• Catchment: 142 square kilometres

• Lake: 10.5 square kilometres

Facilities at the dam include - Electric BBQs, Playground, Toilets, Drinking Water, Viewing Area, and Picnic Shelters.

Visiting hours are 10am to 5pm daily (7pm on weekends and public holidays during Daylight Saving Time).

For educational excursions and project material, please contact our Educational Office on 02 4720 0334 / 3

Bents Basin - Wallacia

Situated of the Silverdale Road, Bents Basin provides Swimming, Canoeing and Camping facilities.

Park entry fees apply. Picnic sites can be reserved for your group. Facilities for hire include an Education Resource Centre, Camp Kitchen & Shelter.

Getting There: Campsite is accessed via Wolstenholme Avenue entrance only. Wolstenholme Avenue is off Greendale Road from Wallacia in the north or Liverpool in the east. Roads are sealed and camping is car based.

54.2 km W of Sydney.

GPS: Latitude 33◦ 55' 54.804”S Longitude 150◦ 37' 57.252”E

General Information:

This deep waterhole, forming part of a gorge on the Nepean River between Camden and Penrith, is a popular spot for people escaping Sydney.

Enjoy water-based activities such as swimming, fishing & canoeing. There are fireplaces and accessible toilet facilities (though the Basin is not easily accessible by wheelchair). There is bushwalking through Gulguer Nature Reserve to Caley's Lookout. Car-based and caravan camping is available in the camping area (bookings essential, fees apply).

Wood fired fireplaces and fire-rings for campfires are provided. Bring your own firewood, or purchase at campground for $9.50 20kg hardwood. It is an offence to take firewood from the bush.

Facilities for hire include Campground Shelter & Kitchen, Picnic Areas & Hall with Commercial Kitchen - further information and bookings at Bents Basin Office 0247-748662.

Campers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Park Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time

9:00 am to 7:00 pm Daylight Saving

Bookings and contact information

For more information, or to book a campsite phone the NPWS Bents Basin State Conservation Area office on:

Phone: 0247-748662 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday.

Fees:

Camping Fees apply

Adults = $14 per night (16 yrs and over)

Children $7 per night (5yrs to 15yrs)

No charge for under 5 years

Car entry fees apply $7 per day - National Pass holders exempt.

Park Use Fees apply

Vehicle = $7 per day - National Pass holders exempt

Burragorang Lookout - Nattai

Breathtaking views of Lake Burragorang. Facilities provided include tables, new gas BBQs, playground equipment, toilets and also disabled access to the lookout vantage point.

Open 7 days

9am - 5pm. (Entry fees may apply)

BURRAGORANG LOOKOUT MAY OCCASIONALLY BE CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES.

If you are planning a trip to the lookout it is advised to phone to confirm that the lookout is open for visitation.

For any enquiries please phone either

* WOLLONDILLY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE ON (02) 4677 8313

* NATIONAL PARK & WILDLIFE SERVICE IN PICTON ON (02) 4677 0859

Cataract Dam - Appin

Cataract Dam is located on the Cataract River, a tributary of the Nepean River, just below the junction with the Loddon River. The dam was completed in 1907 and cost about $1.3 million.

• Height: 56 metres

• Length: 247 metres

• Total Capacity: 94,300 mega litres

• Catchment: 130 square kilometres

• Lake: 8.5 square kilometres

Facilities at the dam include - Electric BBQs, Playground, Toilets, Drinking Water, Viewing Area, and Picnic Shelters.

Visiting hours are 10am to 5pm daily (7pm on weekends and public holidays during Daylight Saving Time).

For educational excursions and project material, please contact our Educational Office on 02 4720 0334 / 3

Cordeaux Dam - Wilton

Construction began in 1918 and was completed in1926 at a cost of about $2.5 million. Cordeaux was upgraded in 1988 at a cost of $3 million with a system of drains in the wall and foundations.

• Height: 57 metres

• Length: 405 metres

• Total capacity: 93,640 mega litres

• Catchment: 91 square kilometres

• Lake: 7.8 square kilometres

Facilities at the dam include - Electric BBQs, Playground, Toilets, Drinking Water, Viewing Area, and Picnic Shelters.

Visiting hours are 10am to 5pm daily (7pm on weekends and public holidays during Daylight Saving Time).

For educational excursions and project material, please contact our Educational Office on 02 4720 0334 / 3

Douglas Park Causeway

Douglas Park Causeway is a popular picnic spot with parking, swimming and canoe launching beach available.

There are no formal facilities at this site so bring a picnic rug, picnic supplies can be purchased at both Wilton and Douglas Park.

Little River - Bargo State Recreation Area

A beautiful swimming hole near Buxton. To get there, park your car at the quarry at the end of Boundary Road, Buxton. Walk about 1km to the river then cross over the river and follow the old farm road to the right. There are about four swimming holes along here.

Mermaids Pools

From Tahmoor turn into Rockford Road to the Rockford Bridge. Turn right into Charles Point Road then right again into parking area. Under the bridge you will find the entrance to a well worn track which follows the right bank for approximately 200m before the track splits into two. The upper track is the easier route and the lower track follows the Bargo River with some light climbing involved.

Both trails meet up again on the Matilda Track. A diversionary walk to the See Through Pool (often mistaken for Mermaids Pools) is worth a look. The Matilda Track continues on further with a walk down to the Mermaids Pools or a little further to the Look Out.

Further walking is available to Tahmoor Canyon, Tahmoor Gorge and Sugar Loaf Pass (very steep with rock steps) or an easier walk from the Rockford Bridge along the Bridging Track following the Bargo River upstream to Tahmoor.

The walk to Mermaids Pools from the bridge is approximately 3km, or around one and a half hours return walking time. There are no facilities available and it is recommended that persons take their own drinking water. Parents would be advised to take special care of children in this area due to steep cliffs and water hazards. Maps are available at the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

Mount Annan Botanic Garden

Mount Annan is the native plant garden of the Botanic Gardens Trust. It covers 416 hectares, making it the largest botanic garden in Australia. The plantings are designed to display the diversity of the Australian flora and will eventually include many of our 25 000 known plant species.

Nepean Dam - Bargo

Work on Nepean Dam started in 1925. It was interrupted for a few years by the Depression but resumed in 1933. The dam was finally completed in 1935 and cost about $12.3 million.

• Height: 82 metres

• Length: 216 metres

• Total capacity: 70,170 mega litres

• Catchment: 320 square kilometres

• Lake: 3.3 square kilometres

Facilities at the dam include - Electric BBQs, Playground, Toilets, Drinking Water, Viewing Area, and Picnic Shelters.

Visiting hours are 10am to 5pm daily (7pm on weekends and public holidays during Daylight Saving Time).

For educational excursions and project material, please contact our Educational Office on 02 4720 0334 / 3

NSW National Parks & Wildlife service

Contact Julie Medana For Infomation On Natonal Parks Within The Wollondilly Shire such as Thirlmere Lakes National Park etc.

Picton Botanical Gardens

Getting There

A short walk from the historic village of Picton brings you to the Botanical Gardens sector. Head north along Argyle Street until you come to RSL Park. The Park provides push button BBQs, wet weather / shade shelters for up to 50 people, clean bathrooms with disabled access and playground equipment for kids.

At the northern boundary of RSL Park you will see a walking path through the tennis courts and oval. Follow the path until you reach the beginning of the cycle way, a 9km return walk or ride on flat surface.

The path crosses the bridge and follows the course of Stonequarry Creek. It provides beautiful views to the farming lands directly behind the Village. The creek also keeps the kids amused with the simple pleasures in life such as frog and tadpole spotting. If you are looking for a pretty picnic spot then you will enjoy the gardens and the creek.

Parking for cars and coaches is available at RSL Park or on Regreme Road (map is available at the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

For the less able bodied we advise to park in Regreme Road car park where you will only have a small walk to the attractions provided.

Botanic Gardens Facilities

Facilities in the gardens include a cycle way, BBQ's, tables, toilets, playground equipment for the kids and of course a landscaped garden to enjoy.

Weddings and Other Functions

Bridal parties enjoy the Botanical Gardens as a unique venue for their special day. Details for booking the Botanical Gardens gazebo and staging area for a function are available through:

Wollondilly Shire Council. FEE APPLIES

RSL Park - Picton

Leads into the Botanical Gardens and cycleway. Shelters, electric free BBQ, playground equipment, disabled facilities, coach parking.

Ideal for group visits, close to Picton Bowling Club and main street attractions.

Starlights Trail Bushwalk

The 12km return walk through Nattai National Park and into Nattai Wilderness commences from Wattle Ridge Road west of Hilltop. For further information contact National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Thirlmere Lakes National Park (NPWS)

Thirlmere Lakes National Park is situated just south of the township of Thirlmere. Follow West Parade (on the western side of the railway line), then take Slades Rd to access the park. If you are travelling from the south along West Parade an entrance to the park can be found at Couridjah. Both access roads are gravel and although 4WD is not necessary care needs to be taken as the road is narrow and wildlife such as wombats can be present.

Thirlmere Lakes was declared a National Park in 1972. Activities in the 630ha park include swimming, canoeing, bushwalking, bird watching and cycling (along Slades Road & W.E. Middleton Memorial Drive only as cycling & horse riding is not allowed on the walking tracks).

Thirlmere Lakes also has two picnic areas that are equipped with BBQ, toilets, parking and picnic tables with seating. At the end of W.E. Middleton Memorial Drive access to the Nattai Wilderness can be found along the Couridjah Corridor (from Thirlmere Lakes down Blue Gum Creek to Little River). Maps and further important information can be found at the National Parks or Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre on (02) 4677 8313

Warragamba Dam - Warragamba

Completed in 1960, Warragamba Dam holds about four times more water than Sydney Harbour and accounts for about 80% of the region's available water supply.

• Height: 142 metres

• Length: 351 metres

• Thickness at base: 104 metres

• Width of central spillway: 94.5 metres

• Concrete mass: 3,000,000 tonnes

• Width of auxiliary spillway (at mouth): 190 metres

• Length of auxiliary spillway: 700 metres

Facilities at the dam include - Information Centre, Electric BBQs, Hot Water, Playground, Toilets, Drinking Water, Viewing Area, Kiosk

Note: Warragamba Dam wall is no public access, the Viewing Platform is recommended on 18th St.

Wirrimbirra Sanctuary

Wirrimbirra is a special place to visit. Experience the magical sights and sounds of the Australian Bush. The home of the White Waratah.

• Budget cabin accommodation for individuals, families and groups.

• Gift Shop and Native Plant Nursery

• The White Waratah Café for catered functions.

• Experience native wildlife up close - kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wombats, dingoes and more.

• A unique venue for family and group celebrations, meetings etc.

Wollondilly Bushwalking Guide Book

Robert Sloss publications offer a terrific guide to bushwalks in the Wollondilly Shire - Bushwalking, Cycling & jogging the Wollondilly Country - RRP $9.90, available at the Wollondilly Visitor Information Ct 4677 8313.

Other publications by Robert Sloss include:

# Mittagong to Katoomba Trekking

# Mt Alexander Reserve

# Kanangra Walls - Cloudmaker Track

# Alpine Bushwalking

# Bushwalking the Southern Highlands

# Bushwalking theLower Blue Mountains

coming soon is the new Guide to the Royal National and Heathcote National Park inc the Seacliff Track Bundeena to Wollongong.

Eftpos over the phone available.

Yerranderie Silver Mining Ghost Town

Silver was discovered at Yerranderie in 1871 with silver mines opening in 1898. For 20 years the teams hauled machinery and silver until the vast yield gave out.

Guesthouses and camping resorts opened and revitalised the town as a tourist resort until 1960 when Warragamba Dam was completed and the valley flooded.

Today, visitors can still enjoy the peace and serenity of the valley and explore the heritage of days gone by.

Travelling via Mittagong/Wombeyan Caves Rd back into the Wollondilly Shire from the west will bring you onto the Oberon Stock Route a 5 hour journey of around 280km (4WD).

Due to Catchment restrictions the NPWS conducted tours are no longer available, however visitors can discover the historic silver mining village in other ways.

We strongly recommend ringing the team at Yerranderie for explicit directions before travelling.

Do not attempt to access Yerranderie during wet weather in a normal car; even 4WD vehicles can have trouble on the slippery clay.

Contact Yerranderie Town for the latest road conditions, bookings and notification of your estimated time of arrival on: (02) 4659 6165.

An alternative to driving your own vehicle is via:

NSW Wilderness Transit Service - Ph: (02) 4683 2344

Curtis Aviation from Camden Airport - Ph: (02) 4655 6789.

In the event of bushfires within the Burragorang Valley all access to Yerranderie Township are closed immediately, for updates during fire emergencies log onto www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact NPWS on (02) 46770 859

NPWS Discovery Unit Tours

Discovering Thirlmere Lakes guided walk

Regular walk program provides the opportunity to explore these beautiful lakes with a Discovery Ranger. We will look at the lakes ecosystem and learn about its interesting natural history.

Bring water, snacks, hat & sunscreen and wear sturdy shoes.

Pick up a brochure at the NPWS office or the Wollondilly Visitor Information Centre.

Macarthur Bushwalkers Club

Mountain Devils Bushwalk Club

Southern Highlands Bushwalk Club