Avon Dam, Heritage-listed dam in Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia

Avon Dam is a gravity dam across the Avon River at Avon in the New South Wales Southern Highlands. Its wall is built of sandstone blocks quarried on site and fitted in an irregular pattern, packed with sandstone concrete, with a 0.61-metre layer of basaltic concrete on the upstream face to make it watertight. The rock was quarried to cut a deep channel through a ridge to a neighbouring creek, forming the spillway.

Construction started in 1921 and finished in 1927, with the opening ceremony held in January 1928. The project was a major infrastructure undertaking of that period.

The dam incorporates Egyptian design elements in its gateways and lotus columns, reflecting fashions that emerged following archaeological discoveries of that era. These architectural touches give the structure an unusual appearance that sets it apart from typical engineering works.

Visitors should expect changing light and weather conditions depending on when they visit, as the surroundings are relatively open. It is best to explore the location on foot and take time to see the various areas around the structure.

The structure was built using cyclopean masonry, where large sandstone blocks from local quarries were fitted into irregular patterns. This construction method makes the work special and shows careful craftsmanship in how it was built.