Sensational Scenery in the Wollondilly
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
For a day out that feels a world away, one immersed in nature, curious discoveries and local life, Oakdale and the Burragorang State Conservation Area are the ideal destinations. Within the Wollondilly Shire and on the traditional lands of the Dharawal and Gundungurra people, the Burragorang Lookout is found here, one of the most spectacular lookout spots in New South Wales.
As you drive through the Wollondilly Shire and leave busy roads behind, the scenery opens up to vibrant green pastures and farmland. Known for its spectacular natural beauty, you can’t help but feel yourself relax. On the way to Oakdale as you pass through The Oaks, keep an eye out for the Mobil service station. There, sitting gleaming on the rooftop, is a giant golden turret. It’s something completely unexpected, especially when in contrast to the practicality of a service station, adding a wonderful cultural element to the local scene. A local icon. You’ll also encounter unique and artistic ways locals decorate their properties, including quirky garden sculptures.
The first stop of the day is at Burra Bakery, a great local spot. The smell of fresh bread greets you when you walk in as well as a hello from friendly staff. Locally owned, it’s a neighbourhood meeting place where you can have a yarn over a vegemite scroll and Di Pacci coffee. The fresh bread rolls would also be perfect for a packed picnic lunch to enjoy at Burragorang Lookout.
From here, it’s less than a ten-minute drive to the Burragorang State Conservation Area. Along the way, the character of Oakdale and Nattai locals is reflected in their fun choice of letterboxes, including a giant scrap metal kangaroo that looks like it belongs in an outdoor gallery. There’s also cow shaped letterboxes, including one that looks like a tinman version from Wizard of Oz, making it a fun game of ‘eye spy’ on your drive.
Arriving at Burragorang Lookout, you can’t help but exclaim ‘WOW’ as you approach the view. Sitting high above Warragamba Dam on the edge of the Blue Mountains escarpment, the landscape is spectacular, with sweeping blue hues and green foliage. The view of Lake Burragorang in particular is majestic, a lake supplying around 80 per cent of Sydney’s drinking water. Before it was a lake, it was the Burragorang Valley, home to the Gundungurra people and later farming communities and coal mines.
Due to Sydney's water shortage during World War II, Warragamba Dam was built, and by its completion in 1960 the valley was flooded. Burragorang Valley up to that point was a popular holiday spot for Sydneysiders, known for its resort-style guest houses, campgrounds, fishing spots and riding schools. As you look down over the valley, you can imagine the residential homes, guest houses, farms and businesses that are now deep underwater, often referred to as ‘The Lost Valley’.
At the lookout there are informational signboards, picnic tables, a BBQ, facilities and more spectacular scenery at the second viewpoint further along. Keep an eye out for wildlife including the elusive tiger quoll and powerful owl, an exciting spotting if you see one.
On the way back home, the Oakdale Workers Club is a terrific local spot for dinner. Cheerful, full of life, a family-friendly destination with old school charm. Try the fish and chips with nostalgic flavours, or the piping hot oven cooked pizzas. Out front, a monument commemorates the area’s coal mining history, with an estimated 72 million tonnes mined in the Burragorang-Nattai region collieries alone, this is a poignant snippet of local mining history.
A day trip to Oakdale and the Burragorang Lookout offers the best of everything – amazing scenery, connection with nature, great food, historical significance, curiosities and time well spent. One to add to your weekend travel list.
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