Warragamba Dam is one of the largest domestic water supply dams in the world. Located just over an hour from Sydney City, the dam is considered the heart of Warragamba and a nostalgic location for many who enjoyed family outings and picnics within its stunning grounds. Today the Dam is still a magnificent site to behold with a number of places to walk, enjoy a picnic and admire Lake Burragorang from the viewing platforms.
A major engineering feat of the mid-20th Century, the dam was created by damming Warragamba River and flooding the Burragorang Valley, the storage lake is four times the size of Sydney Harbour and stores around 80 percent of Sydney’s water. The location of the dam was first suggested in 1845. The deep narrow gorge of the Warragamba River, at the exit to Burragorang Valley, was identified as an ideal place for a dam by Polish explorer Count Paul Strzelecki. More than a century and many droughts later, work finally started in 1948 to build a reliable new water supply for Sydney’s growing population. It took 12 years and 1,800 workers to build the dam, which opened in 1960. It was such a major undertaking that a town was built next to the site to house the dam builders.
A local Gundungurra Aboriginal creation story tells of two dreamtime spirits Mirragan – a large tiger cat, and his quarry Gurangatch – a part fish part reptile who lived in a lagoon where the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee rivers meet. During a long cross-country battle in the Dreaming (Gunyungalung), the deep gorges of the Burragorang Valley were gouged out. It was this valley that was flooded when Warragamba Dam was built.
Visiting Warragamba Dam
The Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre is open daily, 10am - 4pm, including public holidays (closed Good Friday and Christmas day). The center has a museum that showcases the “Water for Life” permanent exhibition telling the historical story of Sydney’s dams and catchments and future of water supply. There are also a number of temporary exhibitions featured at the museum.
Barbeque facilities and a children's playground are located at the adjacent Warragamba Recreation Reserve managed by Wollondilly Shire Council, and Warragamba township has cafes and shops for hot drinks and meals.
The Terrace Gardens at Warragamba Dam provide a picturesque setting for visitors. These gardens offer spectacular views of the dam's spillway and gates, making them a popular spot for leisurely walks and photography. Access to the Terrace Gardens is available on weekends and public holidays from 10:00am to 4:00pm, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
The building of Warragamba Dam was a monumental undertaking, harnessing groundbreaking engineering technology and a workforce from around the world. Learn more about Warragamba Dam’s unique history by taking a short heritage walk through the grounds. Informative signs and heritage items along the way reveal the stories behind the dam’s construction and ongoing management.
A free, wheelchair accessible shuttlebus is provided on specific weekends throughout the year - check WaterNSW website for dates.
Want to find out how full the dam is this week? Click the button below:
Dam Levels
Educational Excursions
Warragamba Dam also has a great program for school and educational groups. For information on project materials and to book an educational excursion, head to WaterNSW.
Warragamba RV Site
Open 7 days a week, the Warragamba RV site offers free 48 hour parking for self contained recreational vehicles (max length 12.5m). Available facilities include toilets, free BBQs, potable water and a free dump point (follow the blue way finding signage).
Access is provided by a boom gate from sunrise sunset and for those wishing to access the area after hours can use the intercom on the left hand side of the road entrance. The intercom will call through to Council's after-hours service who will check for spots available for you. For more information, download the brochure below.
