Destination's Journey

Category: South Coast

  • Cordeaux Dam New South Wales Australia

    Cordeaux Dam New South Wales Australia

    Cordeaux Dam

    Constructed between 1918 and 1926, Cordeaux Dam provides water to Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney.

    Egyptian-Style gateways and housings on the dam wall enhance the appearance of the structure and reflect the time of construction, as many Australian soldiers served in Egypt during World War One.

    Cordeaux Dam was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in November 1999, because of the architectural, social and engineering values. Not only does it supply water, but it has great historical and current social value.

    How to Get There

    Located 90 minutes from Sydney and 30 minutes from Wollongong, it is a nice place to stop on your way to Picton Road. From the entrance, follow the road to the upper car park, where you can stop, or continue to the lower park and the dam wall. Shelters and seats at both locations provide shade and great picnic areas as well as toilet facilities.

    The Dam

    After Parking at the lower level, we walked across the dam wall, which let us see the architecture up close. Walking the length of the wall enabled us to see the spillway and the housings in detail. Brass plaques on the housings and gateways provide details on the dam, which informs visitors about its construction.

    Specifications for Cordeaux Dam:

    • Total capacity: 9.364×10−5 billion gigalitres; 24,736 billion US gallons (20,597×109 imp gal).
    • Greatest depth of water: 52 metres (170 ft).
    • Greatest height of wall: 58 metres (191 ft) (above foundations).
    • Length of crest including pylons: 404 metres (1,327 ft).
    • Area of lake: 781 hectares (1,931 acres) (when full).
    • Top water level 304 metres (996 ft) AHD .
    • Completed in 1926.
    • Cost: A£945,000 ($1,908,000).
    • Concrete in wall: 215,176 cubic metres (281,440 cu yd).
    • Length of spillway weir: 152 metres (500 ft).
    • Width of crest: 5 metres (16.5 ft).
    • Width of base: 46 metres (150 ft).

    Dam Grounds Opening Times

    • 10 am to 5 pm daily
    • Extended hours, 10 am to 7 pm, on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving time
    • Entry is free
    • Entry is not permitted 15 minutes prior to closing time
    • Before travelling check that the dam is not undergoing maintenance and closed
    • Upstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam
      Upstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam
    • Downstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam
      Downstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam
    • Roadway at the Top of the Dam Wall
      Roadway at the Top of the Dam Wall
    • Plaque of the Dam's Specifications
      Plaque of the Dam’s Specifications

    What Did We Think?

    We though it was a great place to stop on our trip to Jervis Bay, because the dam wall is interesting and the picnic tables and shade areas are well set up.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Nowra New South Wales Australia

    Nowra New South Wales Australia

    How to Get There

    Only two and a half hours drive south of Sydney, Nowra is a great place to explore the nearby Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven District. Public transport by train and bus goes to Nowra, but you will then need to organise personal transport to explore outside of the town.

    Where Did We Stay

    While in Nowra, we stayed at Springs Shoalhaven, because it was in a quiet location and had an on-site restaurant at the adjoining club. The clean rooms and great views over the golf course we a nice place to relax before going out for dinner. The meals at the club were great and the staff friendly.

    Nowra’s Buildings

    Wandering through Nowra’s business district, we found several nice old buildings, which were worth stopping to look at.

    Roxy Theatre
    Roxy Theatre
    Mechanics' Institute and School of Arts
    Mechanics’ Institute and School of Arts
    Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church
    Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

    Nowra Street Art

    Walking through the central shopping district of Nowra, you will come across many pieces of excellent street art decorated buildings. Mostly located around the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, others can be found in side streets, which makes them fun to track down while exploring.

    Aboriginal Child - Street Art Nowra
    Aboriginal Child – Street Art Nowra
    Quest Street Art in Nowra
    Quest Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Cockatoo Street Art in Nowra
    Cockatoo Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art

    Ben’s Walk

    The walk loops around the Shoalhaven River, through its gorges and forests. The walk begins at the Nowra Showground, where you can enjoy a barbecue, and superb views of the river and mountains from Hanging Rock. The complete track provides a return walk of about 5.5 kilometres taking around two hours. A short return walk from the footbridge to the Showground and Hanging Rock takes around 10 minutes. A suspension bridge provides a fun crossing of the river.

    Hanging Rock
    Hanging Rock
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Stairs to Ben's Walk
    Stairs to Ben’s Walk
    Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek
    Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek

    Soldiers’ Monument

    Opened in 1931, this memorial commemorates all those who served in conflicts that involved Australia. The bronze statue represents an Australian soldier, his helmet and rifle discarded now that has won and returned home, but remains forever vigil.

    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial

    Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum

    The museum has an almost complete collection of the aircraft operated by the RAN.  This ranges from the early 1950s when HMAS Sydney and Melbourne were acquired to a recently retired Seahawk helicopter.  A purpose-built air-conditioned building houses all the displays. Inside a raised mezzanine floor provides an excellent overhead perspective of the displays.  This is something that many aviation museums are lacking.  There is also plenty of space between each display so that they can be seen easily without the crowding that some museums use.

    To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

    RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5 Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra HMAS Albatross www.destinationsjourney.com
    RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5

    What Did We Think of Nowra?

    A great place to stay with a range of activities to do and things to see. We used it as a base for exploring Kangaroo Valley and further afield to Kiama and the Illawarra.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Kangaroo Valley New South Wales Australia

    Kangaroo Valley New South Wales Australia

    Kangaroo Valley

    Two hours from Sydney, or 30 minutes from Nowra (to Hampton Bridge in the middle of Kangaroo Valley), this is a great place to escape the big city. We stayed in Nowra and explored from there, but there are many closer places to stay, especially if you go camping. During our time we went bush walking, explored local history and admired the amazing scenery.

    Hampden Bridge Kangaroo Valley

    Built in 1898 to replace an older wooden structure, Hampden Bridge features four large crenellated turrets made of locally quarried sandstone. Named after Lord Hampden, Governor of New South Wales from 1895 to 1899, it is a tourist attraction in Kangaroo Valley, because of its distinctive appearance.

    Parking is easy due to the on street and off street car parks at either end of the bridge. From the Nowra side of the bridge, a stairway descends to the Kangaroo River, to view the underside of the bridge.

    Hampden Bridge
    Hampden Bridge Kangaroo Valley
    Hampden Bridge Kangaroo Valley
    Hampden Bridge Kangaroo Valley
    Kangaroo Valley’s Hampden Bridge
    Kangaroo River Under Hampden Bridge
    Kangaroo River Under Hampden Bridge

    Pioneer Village Museum Kangaroo Valley

    Set in 8 hectares of bushland, the one hectares pioneer village contains building built like like those of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Displayed are a dairy, forge, school house, settler’s cottage, a Museum, war remembrance room and suspension bridge on one of the bush trails.

    Pioneer Village Farm
    Pioneer Village Farm
    Farmhouse Kitchen
    Farmhouse Kitchen
    Horse Buggy
    Horse Buggy
    Pioneer Village Museum Buildings
    Pioneer Village Museum Buildings
    Pioneer Village Museum Buildings
    Pioneer Village Museum Buildings
    Slab Hut at Pioneer Village
    Slab Hut at Pioneer Village
    Suspension Bridge at Pioneer Village
    Suspension Bridge at Pioneer Village
    Suspension Bridge at Pioneer Village
    Suspension Bridge at Pioneer Village

    Cambewarra Mountain Lookout

    Located at the top of Cambewarra Mountain, the lookout provides panoramic views out the the coast and at 678m above sea level gives you views from Coolangatta Mountain in the north all the way to Sussex Inlet in the south.

    Around 20 minutes drive from Nowra, it is easy to get to, but the drive up the mountain is slow, with narrow, twisting roads in places.

    Apart from the views, a cafe offers snacks and a lunch menu, with inside and outside seating, depending on the weather. On our visit, it was a great place to warm up after a cold morning start and relaxing by a warm fire was wonderful.

    View From Cambewarra Mountain Lookout
    View From Cambewarra Mountain Lookout
    Cambewarra Mountain Lookout CAfe
    Cambewarra Mountain Lookout CAfe

    Tallowa Dam

    Constructed across the Shoalhaven River, Tallowa Dam is popular with tourists and locals, because of water sports and picnic opportunities. For a relaxing day, the picnic area has a nice grassed area, while nearby, the water is easily accessible. Organised trips by local tour operators, provide the opportunity to kayak downstream.

    The dam wall is not accessible, but a track leads to the downstream side, where you can view the wall and some infrastructure.

    We were luck on our stop there to see some kangaroos that were relaxing in the picnic area.

    Kangaroo at Tallowa Dam
    Kangaroo at Tallowa Dam

    Fitzroy Falls

    One of the highlights to Kangaroo VAlley is a visit to Fitzroy Falls, not only for the waterfall’s 80m drop, but also the surrounding eucalypt forest and views over the gorges and valleys. Parking in the large car park and paying the park’s entry fee, we first stopped at the Visitor Centre. It contains loads of information about the local history, wildlife and birdwatching and walks. With wheelchair-accessible facilities and a short boardwalk to the scenic views of the waterfalls, you do not need to go bushwalking to enjoy yourself.

    West Rim Walking Track

    After a stop at the Visitor Centre, we started on the 3.5km return West Rim Track, which is graded at level three, being slightly undulating but very well maintained. Along the way we found more views of the falls, and amazing views over the valley.

    After finishing the walk, we found that a mobile coffee van had setup shop in the car park. A great surprise after the walk.

    Fitzroy Falls
    Fitzroy Falls
    Fitzroy Falls
    Fitzroy Falls
    View of the Valley
    View of the Valley
    View of the Valley
    View of the Valley
    Sign Post at Fitzroy Falls
    Sign Post at Fitzroy Falls
    Walking Track at Fitzroy Falls
    Walking Track at Fitzroy Falls

    Belmore Falls

    Managed by NSW Parks and Wildlife, Belmore Falls Walking Track is well maintained and although graded 3, has a lot of steps. After parking the car and paying the entry fee we took around 45 minutes to walk the track. We stopped many time to look at the scenery, so if you don’t stop you may be quicker.

    Arriving in the afternoon, the sun was in a bad position for photos. We would advise doing the walk in the morning for a better sun angle.

    Belmore Falls
    Belmore Falls

    What Did We Think of Kangaroo Valley?

    A great place to get away to for a few days or a week. During our visit, we only scratched the surface on what’s available here, as the number of walking tracks is huge. Highly recommended for anyone who like nature and the outdoors.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.