Loved by kids all over South Australia for its curious acoustics, the Whispering Wall was once famous the world over as an engineering marvel. Built between 1899 and 1902, the retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir was ahead of its time in using the strength of a curve to withstand huge pressures from behind (in this case 4515 megalitres of water). It was acclaimed by engineers in Britain and featured in the journal Scientific American. Today, people come to the reservoir to whisper to each other - their words travelling more than 140 metres around the wall and yet still heard clearly.

FAST FACTS!

• Whispers can be heard thanks to the ‘parabola effect’, which causes sound waves to bounce along the perfect curve

• On completion in 1902, it was the highest dam in Australia, standing at 36 metres. It cost £170,000 to build

• Be sure to enjoy the colours, sounds and peacefulness of the surrounding bushland!

• Some 400 people lived at the dam when it was being built. Only an old caretaker’s cottage survives today – you can see it near the picnic area