Mangrove Creek Dam Picnic Area
Mogo Creek, New South Wales 2775
About the Business
Welcome to the Mangrove Creek Dam Picnic Area, located in the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. This establishment is not only a point of interest but also a popular tourist attraction for visitors of all ages.
To reach the dam, simply turn off into either Williams Road or Kyola Road from George Downes Drive near Kulnura. You can also find a navigable map on our website to guide you to the picnic area, where you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the dam and its surrounding area.
The Mangrove Creek Dam is an impressive structure, standing at a towering height of 80 meters (260 feet) with a crest length of 380 meters (1,200 feet). Its storage capacity is a staggering 190,000ML, which is approximately 30% of the capacity of Sydney Harbour. Composed of rolled, soft sandstone from the Narabeen Group of sandstones and siltstones, the dam also contains processed basalt from quarries at Kulnura and Peats Ridge. The face of the dam boasts 13,500 cubic meters of concrete, covering an area of about 30,000 square meters.
During the dam's construction in 1981, a rare photograph captured the area before it was submerged underwater. Another photograph taken in May 1986 showcases the completed dam, showcasing the impressive feat of engineering.
Previously, families resided in Dubbo Gully downstream from the dam, but for safety reasons, the land was resumed and is now part of the Mcpherson State Forest, forming a National Park. Visitors can access this area through a locked gate at the end of Waratah Road. Organized visits, including walks, 4-WD trips, and cycling/mountain biking, are conducted in this area. The Hinterland History Ride provides a detailed map and directions for a mountain bike ride through the park.
Over the years, the dam's water level has fluctuated between just over 20% capacity to just under 70%. Currently, the Lower Wyong to Mangrove Creek Dam Transfer Project is underway to improve water harvesting. This project involves the construction of two new pump stations and a pipeline between Wyong River, Mardi Dam, and Mangrove Creek Dam. The aim is to transfer water from Mardi Dam to Mangrove Creek Dam, allowing for more water to be harvested from Wyong River and Ourimbah Creek. Mardi Dam will serve as a balancing storage with spare capacity to store water during high river flows. Additionally, the system will transfer water back from Mangrove Dam when necessary to augment supply. The Australian Government Water Fund is funding this project at a cost of close to $90M.
Come and explore the Mangrove Creek Dam Picnic Area, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Central Coast, learn about the dam's history, and witness the ongoing efforts to improve water management in the region.
Photos
Contacts
Mogo Creek, New South Wales 2775, Australia
Hours open
Monday:
08:30 - 18:00
Tuesday:
08:30 - 18:00
Wednesday:
08:30 - 18:00
Thursday:
08:30 - 18:00
Friday:
08:30 - 18:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 14:00
Sunday:
Closed
Reviews
"Ive loved this Lookout since my husband first brought me here over 15 years ago. Absolutely beautiful views. Today we saw a lace monitor sunning itself right near one of the observation decks. There are several barbecues and seats to sit at. Usually there is a public toilet block but they're renovating it so porta loos are there instead. Its a great place to come for a lazy picnic. Highly recommend"
"Lovely, peaceful spot with stunning views. Brand new BBQ area that's well maintained. They have portable toilets there currently as the 2019/2020 bushfires took out the toilet blocks there. It looks like they are in the process of building a new one though."
"Really glad this has opened up again to the public after the catastrophic bushfires last summer. It's a lovely drive all the way and the picnic and BBQ area is beautifully laid out (free gas BBQ's). There is a wide and well appointed viewing platform to the right of the picnic area. Unfortunately they lost their toilet block in the fires and at the moment there are portables available."
"Great location to spend an afternoon enjoying the view and a picnic or BBQ. There are free gas BBQs (4 in all), several benches with and without shade and toilets. Decent amount of parking and the drive is very nice. Did I mention the view! You can't walk around much due to the area being restricted to protect the water catchment."
"Beautiful beautiful can u say absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! LOST OF free wild life moving around. Safe, has barriers to protect you from slipping and falling over. Road closes at 5pm and opens 9am. Site is tranquil. 3rd largest catchment in New South Wales... lots of fun tree foliage and melalecucia also. Ideal spot for picnics and family outings..eveb has a barbeque spot for use. Surrounded by pristine lush Australian bush. Roads are well maintained."
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