Upper Yarra Reservoir, lake in Australia
Upper Yarra Reservoir is a large water storage facility near Warburton in Victoria, supplying Melbourne and the Yarra Valley with drinking water. The dam is made of earth and rock, stands around 90 meters (295 feet) high, and sits within a forested catchment area that feeds it with runoff from the surrounding hills.
The reservoir was completed in 1957 to meet rising water demand from Melbourne's growing population. During construction, a small settlement housed the workers on site, and the remains of the old McVeigh Water Wheel still stand as a reminder of earlier power generation in the area.
The Wurundjeri people have a long connection to this land and its waterways, and that presence still shapes how the area feels today. Walking the bush trails, visitors move through a forest of tall eucalyptus and tree ferns that has been lived in and cared for over many generations.
The area is reached by car from Melbourne via Lilydale and Warburton, with entry gates open from early morning until evening. Camping spots need to be booked in advance, and visitors should know there are no power hookups on site, only shared barbecues and fireplaces for cooking.
From the viewing platform on the Brimbonga Track, visitors can watch water flow directly out of the dam into the aqueduct that carries it all the way to Melbourne. The Fern Gully Track nearby is a short loop through dense forest where birds and small animals are often spotted just a few steps from the path.
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