South Dandalup Dam
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South Dandalup Dam is one of the largest dams supplying Perth.
Its natural beauty, tall trees, abundant bird life and location close to the historic town of Dwellingup make it a popular year-round destination.
Rapid population growth in Perth in the late 1960s, fuelled by the resources boom in the Pilbara, provided the impetus for a new water supply program known as the Dandalup Rivers Scheme.
The first step in the scheme involved building a pipehead dam on the North Dandalup River which winds through rolling hills to the Peel Inlet.
In 1971, work began to build a much larger dam on Lake Banksiadale 20km further south. After three years, the South Dandalup Dam was completed, with a capacity of more than 200 million cubic metres – the biggest of all the dams supplying water to Perth.
The picturesque North Dandalup River was destined to play an even more important role in meeting Perth’s present and future water needs. In 1994, the North Dandalup Dam was completed as another major storage reservoir, replacing the original pipehead dam.
As well as being an important water supply source, the South Dandalup Dam is a popular recreation area for residents of the nearby town of Dwellingup.
The town, a thriving timber centre at the turn of the century, was totally destroyed in devastating fires in 1961. Now its 350 residents have rebuilt their lives and maintained the town’s ties with the fine jarrah forest that surrounds it.
Barbecues and Picnics
A visit to South Dandalup Dam offers the feel of a real day out in the country with its stands of tall jarrah trees and natural bush surroundings. A large picnic area at the top of the dam wall is equipped with free gas barbecues and picnic tables. A nearby lookout provides spectacular views over the dam and down through the valley.
Walking trails
The area is popular with bird lovers because of its abundance of popular native species including robins, finches, blue wrens and the occasional eagle soaring on an updraft in the surrounding hills.
Follow marked walk trails through natural bush to the base of the dam and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a kangaroo or wallaby.
During the wildflower season from July to November, the surrounding bush is carpeted with many brilliantly-coloured species.
To round off your outing, call in to the historic timber town of Dwellingup, only 8km away, and browse through its charming craft shops and Forest Heritage Centre.
How to get there
From Perth city centre, take Kwinana Freeway or Tonkin or Albany Highway to Armadale. Then follow South Western Highway to the North Dandalup township, a distance of nearly 50km from Armadale. Turn left at Delpark Rd (a service station is on the corner) and drive a further 18km to the dam itself which is well signposted. The whole journey from Perth should take around 100 minutes.
The dam is currently closed to visitors.
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South Dandalup Dam
Download the South Dandalup Dam brochure and Sitemap
Other Dams
South Dandalup Dam is one of several dams in the Darling Range and South West where the Water Corporation has provided facilities for your enjoyment.
Approximately half of Perth’s water supply and most of the water distributed through the Goldfields and Agricultural System now comes from catchments in the Darling Range. These supply water of very high quality at a low cost to the community.
Your Safety & the Security of our Water Services
For your own safety when visiting our sites please ensure that you confine your movements to the signed and formed pathways, roads and recreational areas. Please recognise that there are uneven surfaces and walking hazards which may exist in the area due to the nature of its design and construction, and exercise caution at all times when moving about the area.
Please do:
- Follow and comply with all directional and informational signs.
- Always monitor the whereabouts of children as they explore the site.
- Report all safety hazards to the onsite Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
- Report all unsafe, criminal or suspicious behaviour to the Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
Please do not:
- Climb walls, fences or bridges.
- Climb on pipework or other operational infrastructure.
- Deface safety and security signs.
- Trespass into signposted operational and "No Entry" areas.
- Attempt to operate operational taps, valves or controls.
- Block emergency and operational access gates and roadways with vehicles.