On my many day trips around the Wollongong {surrounding areas} I have driven past sign that I wanted to go back and check out. So I headed to Picton and then kept on driving…not knowing exactly where I was going but knowing that I was headed in the right direction.
Being such a hot day, I was starting to feel a bit light headed {stupid Vertigo has been playing up – but I have since worked out whats been affecting that and its now stopped!} – when we saw the sign to Wirrimbirra Sanctuary we all decided it was time to stop!
So glad we did ~ its a must place for any family….only $2.00 per entry fee and the place is well looked after by Volunteers.
After we had cooled down with ice-creams, looked at all the animals we all decided that it was time to get back on the road. And we kept driving till we came to the sign I was after…..
Avon Dam ::
If you are ever in the Bargo area then take the time to stop at Avon Dam ~ the drive in seems like a long road but its worth it. At first we drove over a small bridge and I thought “Is that it? Surely there is more to the dam then that?”
And I kept on driving the crazy bendy road, keeping an eye out in case any other cars were coming and I needed to move over till we got there.
Its so worth the crazy drive in – without a doubt one of the most spectacular dams New Life on the Road has come across.
Here is our Experience At Cataract Dam ::
This Bridge was were I thought it Avon Dam was! But then I read a Sign that encouraged me to keep on driving…..luckily I did because the view at the dam was incredible.
This Sandstone Wall blew me away – the way it was made, the colours, the ledge – of course Kyle tried to climb it! – and the way it attracted all of us when we pulled up in the car.
These two drive me nuts! They have so many “Wrestling Matches” and “Sparring with Words” yet they can also have melt my heart moments, and when they do I love it when I capture it in a Picture – I treasure these moments in time.
The other day we all realised that he is going to be 13 soon!! How did that happen?
The steps leading down to the bottom of the Avon Dam are not accessible to the public…I so wished that they had tours for those interested because it would be fantastic to walk down and hear about how the water is taken from one side of the dam and pumped safely through to the other side. And what happens when the dam has too much water? Does it over flow and all these rocks/steps/buildings go under?
None of the water fountains were working, it was such a shame cause they would have been so pretty to see them in action. The garden beds were incredible – such colour and so well looked after. Then we found this crazy looking cage…..
We were all trying to work out what this cage was used for???? There is no roof {maybe it has been damaged one time?} and the wire is too big for birds? Yet there was all these heavy duty chains hanging from the beams above to half way down? Â So very weird….Kyle of course wanted to climb in and see what it was all about!
This is one of the Bends ~ Driving away from the Dam I stopped to take a quick Picture cause I was wondering if our Motorhome would be able to drive under this rock without scrapping the roof top 🙂
David has seen this picture and he reckons we would come close to touching the over hanging rock ~ our bus is 3 1/2 metres high.
And the mirror on the side of the road is a really good idea cause the bends are so sharp that seeing what is coming is a must – mind you we were the only ones on that road that day.
Have You Been To Avon Dam?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
Other Dams in the Area ::
That cage reminds me of Jurassic Park III when they were trying to cross the Dam and the Pteranodon were in the cage. 🙂
Oh yes that cage is so much like the Jurassic Park III cage 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Those sandstone walls are spectacular, Lisa!!! I’ve driven passed Bargo many times but have never thought to stop there. We might just have to this next time! 😉 x
Grace recently posted..FYBF – When Flowers Bloom Again
Oh Grace, I too have been past the “Avon and Nepean Dam” a few times, so glad I went back and went for the drive down – so worth it 🙂
I’ve never been – looks great – even just the drive!
Its spectacular – actually I reckon that Avon Dam is by far the best dam we have come across so far {in New South Wales} that is 😉
I can see the similarity between the Avon and Nepean Dams. That sandstone wall is amazing. It was a pity the fountains were not working. Sometimes the fountains in the botanical gardens in Townsville don’t work and it is such a shame – when it is hot it is lovely to watch them and I always feel cooler near them too!
jan recently posted..Tuesday in Townsville Taylors Beach Road Trip and Mini Break
It’s like trains and railways…I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by dams too, Lisa. This is amazing and would absolutely be a place I would want to visit 🙂
Hi – did you find out what the cages and chains were for? We were there today and came across your blog when we came home to research what they might be. Am having trouble finding any references to what they once held.
Hi Ade,
What a magical place to visit! Thanking you for stopping by here at New life on the Road. I shared the picture {awhile ago} on our Instagram account and one of our followers let us know that the cages where for birds. The wonderful person said that they live near the Dam and the cages was once set up for birds but no longer in use 🙂
Hope you had a great day.
Cheers
Lisa xx