Barossa Reservoir — Local services in Williamstown

Barossa Reservoir is a reservoir in the SA was built between 1899 and 1902 to supply water to Gawler and other northern country areas. Built at a cost of almost A$170,000, the reservoir was hailed on completion as an engineering marvel, and with the reservoir wall rising to a height of 36 metres (118 ft), it was, at the time of its completion, the highest dam wall in Australia.

The thin arch of the dam retaining wall, curved against the pressure of the water, was an innovation considered radical, and attracted the Reservoir international attention. It was featured in the Scientific American and caused the American Engineers News to remark that its "boldness of design deserves to rank with the most famous dams in the world". The dam is notable for its parabola effect, where a voice can be heard clearly from one side to the other – over 140 metres (460 ft), end to end. This unusual acoustic phenomenon is a popular tourist attraction, and has earned the dam the title "Whispering Wall".

Place has drinking water facilities ( free) Public toilets (free) Ample parking area ( free) Parking area for...

Very nice and tidy grounds. Toilet facilities very tidy and well kept. We found it very pleasant and peaceful. The whispering wall was fantastic to find out it really works, talk at one end and you can be heard quite easily at the other end (the wind, if it is around, can muffle the sound a little). Picnic area very nicely kept as well. Definitely worth a stop in, relax and taking in a casual...

Been here twice, both occasions it was closed with no obvious notice on their web site or Google Maps. First time was “operational” and second time a day of total fire ban - which to tourists should be more easily identifiable online via their web site rather than a physical sign when arriving. Surely updating a web site is easier than physically adjusting...