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Tag: Illawarra

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Cordeaux Dam New South Wales Australia

Upstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam

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.

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

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Illowra Hill 60 Battery Port Kembla

Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position

Illowra Hill 60 Battery

Today the Illowra Hill 60 Battery gives fantastic views over the Illawarra Coastline, however, in World War Two it was the front line of defence for the region. With an observation post on top of the hill, the two guns placed below had commanding views of fire to defend Port Kembla and its steel industry.

Getting There

Located in Port Kembla near Fisherman’s Beach, the Hill 60 Lookout has a small car park and lookout platform which lets you admire views up and down the coast. Once you have finished here, drive to the lower car park, to the tunnel entrances.

The Illowra Hill 60 Battery Tunnels

Built to allow access to the gun emplacements, two tunnels descend steeply from the entrance. The steepest sections have concrete stairs, but be careful, as rocks and dust provide trip and slip hazards. Adjacent to the stairs are the pathways a small gauge trollyway ran on, delivering shells to the guns below.

Although dark, the tunnels have been decorated by previous visitors and almost every blank space is covered with the grafiti.

At the end of each tunnel are the remains of the concrete gun emplacements. The mounting plates are still present at both while No. 2 emplacement still has the gun-shield.

A cross tunnel connected No 1 and No, 2 tunnels, meaning you do not have to return to the same entrance. This was far darker than the main tunnels, which added to the interest in following it.

During our visit both tunnels were accessible, however both also had large metal doors. These may be locked at times.

View over the Coast From the Top of Hill 60.
View over the Coast From the Top of Hill 60.
Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position
Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position
No. 1 Gun Position Tunnel Illowra Hill 60 Battery
No. 1 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 1 Gun Position Mounting Plate Illowra Hill 60 Battery
No. 1 Gun Position Mounting Plate
Entrance to the No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
Entrance to the No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position and Gun Shield
No. 2 Gun Position and Gun Shield

What Did We Think?

We had a great time exploring these tunnels, as they were interesting for their history as well as being deserted and different to the usual abandoned emplacements on the coastline. They were easy to find and parking was easy and with great views.

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.

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Nowra New South Wales Australia

Hanging Rock

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.