Yalwal is a small historic cemetery in the hills west of Nowra. Once an established town the last of the goldmines closed at Yalwal in the 1920s. Some of the homes were dismantled in World War I as building materials were in short supply. In 1939 bushfires destroyed most of what remained and the former township was entirely covered by water in 1972 when Danjera Creek Dam opened. Yalwal Cemetery is all that remains from the original settlement. The graveyard was restored as a bicentennial project in 1988. The oldest grave dates back to 1854.
Photographed and transcribed by Peter Olsen in June 2014.
Heading South on Princes Hwy in South Nowra turn right at Kalandar St. Drive 1/2 km. Veer left onto Albatross Rd at roundabout. Drive 1/2km. Turn right onto Yalwal Rd. Drive 10kms. Turn left onto Yalwal Rd (dirt rd). Drive 15 kms. (There is no turnoff as shown on local maps. Road runs straight all the way.) Cross creek, go up hill past two campsites. You will come to a gate dead ahead with a sign Private Property. Cemetery is 100m past gate straight ahead up the hill. There is a small pedestrian gate to right of main (locked) gate. (Gates are visible in Streetview image below.)
25 Jun 2014