Five Australian dams to venture to this weekend
Some think that dams and reservoirs were built specifically for fun, be it boating, picnicking on the grass or walking the shores.That all works, but for tech-heads there’s also the engineering involved in supplying drinking water, hydro-electrical power. Want to investigate more? Check the area’s potential bushfire threat status, stay COVID safe, jump in the car and head for one of these.
Toorourrong Reservoir Park, Kinglake National Park, Victoria
While Melbourne has many reservoirs to its east, for something different head north to Toorourrong in the Kinglake National Park. It’s only an hour from the city but you’ll find peaceful waters behind a dam on the Plenty River, started back in the 1880s. There’s a lawn with lurking kangaroos, BBQs and shelters, walks along the dam wall or to a lily pond, and a sobering memorial to the Black Saturday bushfires that passed through in 2009.
Gordon River Dam, Strathgordon, Tasmania
There are at least two reasons to visit the huge Gordon River Dam in Tassie’s south-west wilderness. First, the dam itself is spectacular: a 192 metre-high curved concrete wall holding back the waters of the Gordon River for hydro generators. Second, the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is rugged, scenic and the lake formed by the dam is Tasmania’s largest. The road out there is a corker and although the drive from Hobart is about two hours, it’s worth every kilometre.
Blowering Dam, Tumut, NSW
Aussie daredevil Ken Warby set the world water speed record on Blowering Dam back in 1978 (he hit 511km/h if you want to have a crack in the tinny) but for most of us, its more peaceful attractions are achievable. Three times the size of Sydney Harbour, it’s perfect for boating, a stroll along the 747 metre dam wall is a must, or continue further to Blowering Falls – a five kilometre return hike. You’re closer to Canberra than Sydney here, and it makes a great stopover on the scenic route to Melbourne.
Hinze Dam, Advancetown, Queensland
Bigger even than Queensland’s former Minister of Everything (The man called Russ, after whom it is named), the Hinze Dam supplies water to the Gold Coast thanks to its 1.85km dam wall. It’s about 30 minutes inland but you could picnic at Pocket Park, try a stand-up paddleboard at the Western Ramp area, or maybe an electric boat, canoe or kayak from the same. The portly Mr Hinze would not have enjoyed the walking trails, but you probably will.
Barossa Reservoir, Williamstown, South Australia
The Barossa Reservoir is about an hour north-east of Adelaide and offers the perfect environment for a picnic, barbecue or a stroll through the bird-filled bushland. But it has another very special feature. The dam itself, built back in 1902, is a so-called Whispering Wall: stand at one end of the 144-metre curved concrete wall, talk in a normal voice, and someone at the other end can hear you clearly thanks to the parabolic effect on the acoustics. If you’ve got kids, it’s worth trying just to see their little jaws drop in surprise.
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