Nepean Gorge
Encyclopedia
The Nepean Gorge is a gorge on the Hawkesbury-Nepean River
west of Sydney
, New South Wales
. It is south of the western suburb of Penrith
. It is carved through the sandstone typical of the region, Hawkesbury sandstone. There is some speculation as to why it runs through the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains rather than around it.
The gorge is popular for water recreation by small watercraft all year. Lookouts above the gorge are accessible by dirt roads on both banks and the area is steeped with Aboriginal history. Evidence of prehistoric volcanic activity in the area also exists in the soil and stone of nearby hills.
The gorge is administered and protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
.
Nepean River
The Nepean River is a river in the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia.The headwaters of the Nepean River rise near Robertson, about 100 kilometres south of Sydney and about 15 kilometres from the coast. The river flows north in an unpopulated water catchment area into Nepean Dam, which...
west of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. It is south of the western suburb of Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
. It is carved through the sandstone typical of the region, Hawkesbury sandstone. There is some speculation as to why it runs through the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains rather than around it.
The gorge is popular for water recreation by small watercraft all year. Lookouts above the gorge are accessible by dirt roads on both banks and the area is steeped with Aboriginal history. Evidence of prehistoric volcanic activity in the area also exists in the soil and stone of nearby hills.
The gorge is administered and protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Office of Environment and Heritage - the main government conservation agency in New South Wales, Australia....
.