page_title: Wyangala
section_title: Food, services and attractions
hierarchical_section_title: Wyangala / Community / Food, services and attractions
caption_attribution_description: English: Dissipater Park, just below Wyangala Dam wall.
context_page_description: Wyangala is a small village in the Lachlan Valley, near the junction of the Abercrombie and Lachlan Rivers, just below the Wyangala Dam wall. It is in the South West Slopes of New South Wales, Australia, and about 320 km west of the state capital, Sydney.
  The village was named after an indigenous word of unknown meaning, thought to be of Wiradjuri origin. The Wiradjuri were the original inhabitants of the Lachlan Valley, with campsites along river flats, on open land and by rivers. Their traditional way of life was altered, and perhaps lost, following the exploration of the valley by British explorers, John Oxley and George William Evans in 1815. White settlement followed in the 1830s, leading to violent clashes between the Wiradjuri and the settlers.
  The present-day village was established in 1928, during the construction of Wyangala Dam. However, in the same area, there was a scattered pioneering settlement known as Wyangala Flats, which was established in the 1840s. This settlement was submerged under water following the completion of Wyangala Dam in 1935.
  Although Wyangala grew substantially during periods of dam construction, the population dwindled in the subsequent years.
context_section_description: The Wyangala Country Club, on the hillside opposite the village, has one restaurant, the Country Club Bistro, in addition to having a bar and entertainment facilities. Locals congregate at the club for regular sports club meetings, for discussion forums addressing important village issues, and for other community activities.
  The village Service Station/store is located at the nearby Wyangala Waters State Park entrance. The store has a range of fishing and camping supplies, in addition to take away food and other goods.
  Wyangala has two conference venues, the first being the Vic Roworth Conference Center within the village, and the other being the community hall in Wyangala Waters State Park. Both have seating capacities for tens of participants.
  There is one holiday house in the village, near Wyangala Dam Public School. Additional accommodation is found at Wyangala Waters State Park, which contains numerous powered and unpowered camping sites, five bungalows, three cottages, one lodge, seven cabins and Jayco ensuite cabins.
  As early as the mid 1930s, Wyangala was earmarked as a major tourist attraction and important fishing ground for the Lachlan Valley. The objective of turning Wyangala into a 'national playground' and resort was the vision of Reg Hailstone, a civic leader of the 1940s and 1950s. Although Wyangala never became a 'tourist resort', Hailstone's vision for a national playground was fulfilled over the proceeding years.
  Lake Wyangala (the impounded reservoir within the Dam) is a significant and popular inland fishing location. Through the spring and summer seasons, Lake Wyangala is also used for various water sports, such as canoeing, jet-skiing, sailing, swimming and water skiing. There are walking and mountain bike trails through bushland near the village and the State Park, and houseboat hire is available for those seeking the opportunity to explore the lake and catch fish. Waterslides located within the Park are currently not operating. Dissipater Park, just below the Dam wall, has BBQ facilities for picnics and other gatherings.
  The 1.37 km (0.85 mi) long Dam wall is a notable landmark in the Lachlan Valley. It is 85 m (279 ft) high (as tall as a 25-story building), and has a width at its base of 304 m (997 ft). It can be viewed from various locations around the village and from nearby lookouts, as well as from many kilometers away on Darbys Falls Road. Historically, it was possible to drive across the top of the wall. However, as of June 2014, vehicle access was closed following the completion of an alternative access road (Trout Farm Road) and bridge downstream of the village.
caption: Dissipater Park, below Wyangala Dam wall
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