Lake Burrendong, reservoir in Australia
Lake Burrendong is a large reservoir in New South Wales, extending across a vast area and surrounded by green hills and open spaces. The water is held back by a dam across the Macquarie River and supplies water to farms and towns like Wellington.
The dam was built in the late 1940s with a rocky core and clay lining to secure water for regional towns after World War II. Over the years, safety measures have improved, including raising the dam wall height and adding extra spillways for flood protection.
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.
When full, the water expands to three times the size of Sydney Harbour, making it one of the state's largest inland reservoirs. Visitors can experience the full scale of this impressive body of water from multiple lookout points around the grounds.
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