Barossa Reservoir: The Whispering Wall

The Location

The Whispering Wall is located 51km north of Adelaide CBD. It is only 10km from Williamstown and 13km from the heart of Gawler. The drive from the city is an easy one, with most of it being on the Northern Expressway or Main North Road. Around the Barossa Reservoir itself is a country setting filled with eucalyptus trees. You might even see a Koala or two.

If you're looking for an interesting day trip, or if you live nearby, it's certainly worth the drive.

The Acoustics

As we stated above, the Whispering Wall has a special feature. Due to the location of the dam and the design, sound will travel along the wall. This is how it got it's name.

At each end of the dam wall are areas where people can stand and can talk each-other across the 144 metre gap. Voices can be heard clearly due to the parabola affect of the wall design. This is what makes the Whispering Wall such an amazing place to visit.

What Else is There?

The Whispering Wall isn't the only reason to visit the Barossa Reservoir. There is a huge grassy area next to the wall that is perfect for picnics and for kids to play. Native birds frequent the trees and occasionally you'll see a Koala or Kangaroo. There are toilets nearby, and a sheltered eating area too.

So why not end your trip to the Whispering Wall with a picnic in the park? If you don't have a picnic prepared, there are often food vans or an ice cream truck on-site to cater to your lunch time needs.

If you're looking for a playground or shops to stop at, Gawler is just a stone's throw away from the Whispering Wall too.

History
Barossa Reservoir: Among the world's first

In the 1880s, Gawler was supplied by water drawn from a well on the South Para River, By 1897, the quality of water had become contaminated by cesspools in the area.

To supply clean water to the region, the Waterworks and Drainage Commission (now SA Water) constructed the Barossa Reservoir.

Approximately 400 workers lived in camp tents or rough huts at the height of the construction and the work took three years to complete.

Whisper
Barossa Reservoir: The Whispering Wall

Widely known as "The Whispering Wall", at the time of it's completion in 1902, Barossa Reservoir was not only the first arch dam in South Australia, but the highest in Australia. It generated international interest for it's bold and visionary design.

The dam has surprising acoustic properties. Sounds at one end of the dam can be heard clearly at the other end. It's curved, slender shape and quiet location induces conditions that contribute to the transmission of sound. Straight line sound waves reflect obliquely off the wall as they travel 140 metres to the other end.

Water
Barossa Reservoir: Water Supply

The Barossa Reservoir receives water from the South Para River via a tunnel aqua-duct about 2.4 meters in diameter with a capacity to deliver up to 450 megalitres a day.

Quick Facts:
Built: 1899 - 1902
Location: Yettie Creek, 11km south east of Gawler
Height: 36 metres
Length of crest: 144 metres
Capacity: 4515 ML
Waterspread area: 62 ha
Catchment natural: 7 km2
Catchment diversion: 228 km2
Flow rate: 450 ML/day
Cost to build: £170,000 (approximately $20m)

This reservoir is owned and managed by SA Water. SA Water is wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. It provides water, recycled water, and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people across South Australia.

The Barossa Reservoir is a beautiful place to visit and well worth the trip. You won't regret adding it to your list of South Australian places to visit and the rest of the family will love it too.

If you know of any other places that we should visit and write about then let us know. Send us a message or leave a comment of your favourite local wonders and we'll add it to our list.

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