Goulburn Weir, Water infrastructure on Goulburn River near Nagambie, Australia

Goulburn Weir is a concrete and granite structure that spans across the Goulburn River and creates a large reservoir by blocking the water flow. The structure controls the river and impounds water that supports local communities and agricultural areas downstream.

Built between 1887 and 1891, this was Australia's first major irrigation diversion project and marked a turning point in how the country managed water resources. Its completion helped open new agricultural possibilities for the surrounding regions.

Lake Nagambie, the reservoir formed behind the weir, hosts rowing regattas and waterskiing tournaments, and a 5-kilometre parkrun is held on its foreshores. The town of Nagambie sits on the lake shore. The weir's design was considered so advanced that it appeared on the back of half-sovereign and ten-shilling notes from 1913 to 1933, including Australia's first banknote.

Access the weir via Goulburn Weir Road, where you will find picnic areas with tables, barbecue facilities, and restrooms available. An information center on site provides details about the structure's history and operations if you want to learn more.

The weir housed one of the southern hemisphere's earliest hydroelectric turbines, which was used to power lighting during nighttime gate operations. This early power system made the structure a technological innovation for its era.