Lake Burrendong, reservoir in Australia

Lake Burrendong is a reservoir formed by Burrendong Dam where the Macquarie and Cudgegong rivers meet, near Wellington in central-west New South Wales. When full it holds about 1,189,000 megalitres, covers 8,900 hectares and drains a catchment of 13,886 square kilometres. Meroo Creek also feeds it, and the lake is used for fishing and tourism.

Lake Burrendong was formed by Burrendong Dam, built to store water from the Macquarie and Cudgegong rivers near Wellington. During the 2019 drought, the lake dried up and the former town that had been inundated became visible again.

The name 'Burrendong' comes from Aboriginal language and means 'koala'. The area holds importance for the traditional custodians who have lived here for many generations and continue to care for the land, water, and animals.

Access is about 30 kilometers southeast of Wellington town, and the site works well for day trips or longer stays with visitor centers and map guidance available. Check water levels and safety alerts on waternsw.com.au before visiting to plan safely.

During the 2019 drought the lake dried up and the former town that had been inundated by the reservoir became visible again. The lake's catchment covers 13,886 square kilometres, and when full it holds about 1,189,000 megalitres.