Explore the Snowy Mountains
A practical local guide to camping, fishing, boating, walking and planning a visit to Blowering Reservoir from Tumut.
WaterNSW describes Blowering as a rock-fill embankment with a clay core and a 747m-long wall.
Construction began in 1964 and was completed in 1968.
NSW National Parks promotes boating, sailing, waterskiing, paddling and swimming around the reservoir.
Roads, trails, fire conditions and park access can change with weather or management operations.
Why people visit
Blowering Reservoir sits in the lower Snowy Mountains and connects a lot of different Tumut trips in one place: fishing weekends, watersports, camping, picnics, wildlife watching and drives further into northern Kosciuszko National Park.
WaterNSW says the dam supports irrigation, town and industry supplies, environmental flows, flood mitigation, recreation and hydroelectric generation. For visitors, the practical appeal is the huge body of water and the network of campgrounds, picnic areas and walks around it.
Blowering is also part of local water-speed history. Visit NSW notes that Ken Warby set the world water-speed record on Blowering Dam in 1978.
Camping at Blowering
Facilities and booking arrangements can change. Use these summaries to choose an area, then confirm everything with NSW National Parks.
Beside Blowering Reservoir with unpowered camping, toilets, picnic facilities and a boat ramp. NPWS highlights paddling, sailing, boating, waterskiing and fishing.
NSW National ParksA waterside campground off Snowy Mountains Highway suited to fishing and water activities. It is a simple site, so read the official facilities list and arrive prepared.
NSW National ParksA family/group camping base beside the reservoir with access to other northern Kosciuszko attractions.
Fishing
The NSW recreational fishing guide describes Blowering as a stocked impoundment known for large Murray cod. It also identifies golden perch as a key target species and discusses rainbow and brown trout, redfin and carp.
The guide says the Blowering Murray cod fishery is open year-round under its specific rules, but regulations, size limits, bag limits and permitted gear can change. Check the current NSW FishSmart information before fishing rather than relying on an old article or screenshot.
For trip planning, Tumut is the practical supply and accommodation base before heading to the reservoir.
Walking
For visitors who want to get off the water, NSW National Parks lists Blowering Cliffs walking track as a 5km return, Grade 4 walk taking about 2–3 hours. It starts near Log Bridge Creek campground and offers views toward the cliffs and waterfalls.
NPWS describes sections as steep and notes limited mobile reception. Take water and check alerts before setting out.
Make a day of it
Staying overnight?
Compare current stays for a Blowering weekend. Tumut.org may earn a commission from eligible Expedia bookings.
Quick answers
Blowering Dam is in the lower Snowy Mountains between Tumut and Talbingo, beside the Snowy Mountains Highway and the northern part of Kosciuszko National Park.
Yes. NSW National Parks manages campgrounds around Blowering Reservoir including The Pines, Yachting Point and Humes Crossing. Check the official campground page for current bookings, facilities, fire rules and alerts before travelling.
The NSW fisheries guide identifies Murray cod and golden perch as key target species and also discusses trout, redfin and carp. Fishing rules can change, so check NSW FishSmart or the current freshwater fishing rules before fishing.
Popular activities include fishing, boating, paddling, sailing, waterskiing, swimming, camping and nearby bushwalking, subject to current access, weather and safety conditions.
WaterNSW publishes current regional storage levels and an official Blowering Dam page. Use the source links on this page for the latest figures.