The Cordeaux River Valley lies to the West of Wollongong, following Cordeaux Road past the Mt Kembla look out and up over the escarpment. Early Europeans recognised the value of the Cordeaux River Valley for agriculture and began taking possession during the 1850's. The valley was home to many pioneering families over the years until the land was resumed in stages by the state government to secure Sydney's water supply. The entire area is now of restricted access under the management of the Sydney Water Catchment. A wonderful account of the community that thrived in the valley can be found in LIFE AT CORDEAUX RIVER by John Leo MacNamara OAM (post).

 

Bruce Rees, was the last of his community to leave the valley, his property sold back to the Sydney Water Catchment Authority in 2007. His family had been farming the there since 1880.