The Wee Jasper Valley is an idyllic little village located one hour from Canberra. The area offers visitors breathtaking views of dramatic mountain ranges, magnificent caves, flowing clear streams and the sights of Lake Burrinjuck. Reasonable camping fees and excellent facilities make the area an ideal destination for camping holidays. The Valley is the perfect place for bushwalking and picnicking and a range of other recreational and sporting activities.

Overview

Within the town are many notable attractions, including a wonderful restaurant and tavern that operate within a charming old building that was once the local police station. The main focus of tourist activities in the area are the splendid bushland reserves which offer tranquillity and a range of activities for those that like their relaxation with a hint of adventure.

Wee Jasper Nature Reserve

The Wee Jasper Reserve has been developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management, and offers an attractive campsite with modern facilities and excellent bush walking. North of the Reserve is Careys Cave where visitors can take guided tours of the Cave's brightly coloured interior and experience its beautiful limestone formations.

Other Reserves in the Valley include Careys Reserve, perhaps the most ideal location to launch a boat and sail on the relaxing waters of Lake Burrinjuck, or enjoy a variety of watersports. For those without their own boat, a tourist cruiser - The Lady BJ - regularly explores the beautiful waters of the Lake.

The region's best salmon and trout fishing is found within Billy Grace Reserve and the Swinging Bridge on the Goodradigbee River. The key attraction of Micalong Reserve is its swimming area which has large overhanging Willow trees ideal for a refreshing shaded swim.

The Valley's main attraction is bushwalking, and there are a number of trails which offer spectacular views of the village and lake. There are two one day return walks which commence near the Fitzpatrick Trackhead, one taking visitors to the top of Mount Wee Jasper, the other exploring the Wee Jasper Nature Reserve. For more dedicated walkers, the Hume and Hovell Walking Track stretches from Yass to Woomargama and winds through the Valley's most beautiful bushland areas.

Burrinjuck Dam

Burrinjuck Dam was the first State Inland Water Storage to be built in Australia, providing electricity and an irrigation system for the MIA. Construction started in 1907 and was interrupted by the first World War, but was finally completed in 1927. The wall was raised and strengthened in 1938 and again work was interrupted by war, and construction was completed in 1957.

Irrigation started when the wall was only 25 metres high. The wall is currently 80 metres high and now services the MIA in conjunction with the Blowering Dam.

The storage capacity is 1,026,000 mega litres, with a surface area of 5,500 hectares. The dam has 70 kms of backed up water and a shoreline of 700 kms.

The waters are well stocked with local fish and introduced Atlantic Salmon.

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