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Tag: south coast

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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.

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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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Kangaroo Valley New South Wales Australia

View of the Valley

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.

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