The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is located in the Wollondilly Shire in the Macarthur region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park is situated approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Sydney CBD and about 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Wollongong. Thirlmere Lakes National Park forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The park includes three main lakes – Thirlmere, Couridjah and MacArthur. All three lakes are man-made and were created for the purpose of supplying water to Sydney. Thirlmere is the largest and most famous of the three lakes, with a surface area of 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres). Couridjah and MacArthur area are smaller, at 200 hectares (490 acres) and 100 hectares (250 acres), respectively.
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is a popular recreation area for Sydneysiders. The park is also home to a museum that houses a collection of locomotives and rolling stock from the New South Wales Government Railways.
History
The Thirlmere Lakes were created in the late 19th century as part of the Sydney Water Supply Scheme. Thirlmere was dammed in 1887, followed by Couridjah in 1891 and MacArthur in 1897. The three lakes were originally named after the townships of Thirlmere, Couridjah and MacArthur, which were flooded to create the lakes.
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park was established in 1979. The park was originally known as the Thirlmere Lakes State Recreation Area. In 1995, the park was renamed Thirlmere Lakes National Park.
Attractions
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is a popular recreation area for Sydneysiders. Facilities in the park include picnic areas, BBQs, walking trails, lookouts and a children’s playground. The park is also home to the NSW Rail Museum, which is located in Thirlmere.
The NSW Rail Museum is housed in a former locomotive shed and contains a collection of locomotives and rolling stock from the New South Wales Government Railways.
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is also home to a number of threatened species, including the Blue Mountains water skink and the spotted-tail quoll.
Accessibility
The park is wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed, but the dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Timings and Admissions
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission to the park is free.
For more information, visit the Thirlmere Lakes National Park website.
Getting There
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is located in the Wollondilly Shire in the Macarthur region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park is situated approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Sydney CBD and about 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Wollongong. Thirlmere Lakes National Park forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is accessible by car from Sydney via the M5 motorway. The park is also accessible by train, with the nearest station located in Picton about 4 kilometres away from the park.
Final Verdict?
The Thirlmere Lakes National Park is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a day trip from Sydney. The park has plenty of facilities and is home to the NSW Rail Museum. The Thirlmere Lakes are also beautiful and a great place to go for a walk or a picnic. However, it’s worth noting that the park is quite popular, so that it can get busy on weekends and holidays. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, visiting during the week is best.
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