Coxs River
The Coxs River is a long river in New South Wales, Australia. It starts in Gardiners Gap in Ben Bullen State Forest, near Cullen Bullen, and flows about 155 kilometers southeast and east until it joins the Warragamba River to form Lake Burragorang. The river drops about 931 meters on its journey.
It runs through the Megalong Valley and parts of the Greater Blue Mountains area, including the Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd National Parks. Along the way, many small rivers join it, such as Jenolan, Kowmung, Wollondilly, Kedumba, Little, and others.
The Coxs River is dammed at several lakes: Lake Wallace (used to cool a power plant), Lake Lyell (used for Lithgow’s water supply and cooling), and Lake Burragorang (a major water source for Sydney). It is crossed by a historic stone railway bridge at Wallerawang (built in 1870) and a newer double-track underbridge (1923). The Great Western Highway crosses the river east of Wallerawang on the Jack Wilson Bridge.
Aboriginal people used the Coxs River as a route to cross the Blue Mountains; the other crossing route was Bilpin Ridge. Governor Macquarie named the river after William Cox, a road maker and builder.
In 2008–2009 there were reports of water quality problems in the upper river with metals linked to nearby power station activity. Authorities said the water becomes safer as you move downstream toward Warragamba Dam, where it helps supply Sydney’s water.
The area around the river offers recreation such as bushwalking and camping. Popular routes include the Six Foot Track, and there are horse-riding tours in the Megalong Valley. Access is easy near Hartley, but vehicles aren’t allowed near Lake Burragorang.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:59 (CET).