Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, commonly known as Manly Dam, is many things to our community - the site is of Aboriginal cultural heritage, a place for recreation and a popular spot for local families. Now it has been officially recognised on the State Heritage Register.

The Park commemorates those who have served in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved and has been regarded as a War Memorial since the 1920s.

This heritage listing will help protect this treasured area for generations of Sydneysiders to continue enjoying now and into the future.

The 375-hectare site is rich in natural biodiversity, with over 300 native plant species, including endangered species, and is home to endangered animals like the Powerful Owl and Eastern Pygmy Possum.

Over the years, the waterway has been shaped by engineering and science. The dam was built in 1892 and was a water source for the Northern Beaches and is separately listed on the State Heritage Register. It’s also the largest example of a 19th-century independent water supply system within the Sydney metropolitan area.

Also, home to the Gayamaygal people, the bushland area contains evidence of engraving sites, and the bushland vegetation has provided bush tucker and material for a huge range of tools like rope, fishing nets, medicine, shields, and canoes.

Loved by locals and visitors alike, Manly Dam is a popular spot for enjoying picnics, bushwalking, mountain biking, swimming, and water-skiing. Do yourself a favour and pay it a visit this weekend!