Burrinjuck Dam

Burrinjuck Dam, a historic concrete gravity dam on the Murrumbidgee River, is a serene getaway in the New South Wales tablelands. Surrounded by eucalypt forests and rolling hills, the dam and its reservoir offer a peaceful retreat for fishing, boating, and bushwalking. The area is rich in Aboriginal heritage and early European settlement history, with the dam itself being a marvel of early 20th-century engineering.

Highlights & What to See

• Burrinjuck Dam Wall – Walk along the impressive dam wall, completed in 1928, and marvel at the views over the reservoir and the Murrumbidgee River valley.
• Fishing on the Reservoir – Cast a line for Murray cod, golden perch, and trout. The dam is a popular fishing spot; bring your own gear or hire a boat from the nearby caravan park.
• Burrinjuck Waters State Park – This park offers lakeside camping, picnic areas, and walking trails. Look out for kangaroos and abundant birdlife.
• Historic Taemas Bridge – A short drive away, this elegant steel truss bridge (circa 1893) crosses the Murrumbidgee and is a fine example of colonial engineering.
• Bushwalking & Wildlife – Explore trails through dry sclerophyll forest, keeping an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles, wombats, and wallabies.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a half-day to a full day at Burrinjuck Dam, combining a walk on the dam wall with fishing or a picnic. For a more immersive experience, consider an overnight stay at the Burrinjuck Waters State Park campground or the nearby caravan park. If you're self-driving from Canberra or Yass, you can easily fit it in as a morning or afternoon excursion.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Yass – Explore this historic town with its well-preserved 19th-century buildings, local wineries, and the Yass Valley Way scenic drive.
• Weereewa Lookout – Just north of the dam, this lookout offers panoramic views over Lake Burrinjuck and the surrounding countryside.
• Murrumbateman – A short detour for cool-climate wine tasting at cellar doors like Eden Road Wines or Helm Wines.
• Canberra – The nation's capital is an hour's drive south, with its museums, galleries, and culinary scene.
• Brindabella National Park – For more rugged bushwalking and mountain scenery, head west into this park.

Please check official sources for current details.