Glenrock Lagoon

Glenrock Lagoon is located 7 kilometres (4 mi) south-west of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The catchment area is bounded by the following catchment areas: Murdering Gully to the north east, Throsby Creek, Hunter Valley to the north and north west, Winding Creek, Lake Macquarie to the west, Dicks Creek and Bulls Creek, Jewels Swamp to the south west and Dudley Beach to the south east.

Glenrock Lagoon came into existence 6,000 years ago when the sea level stabilised after the last ice age. The Lagoon is a small body of water approx 900 metres (3,000 ft) long and approx 100 m (330 ft) wide and covers an area of approx 80,000 square metres (860,000 sq ft). This area does vary depending upon the water level. The water levels can vary as much as 2 m (7 ft).

While the early European pioneers named it "Glenrock" because of the rugged nature of the glen (a narrow valley), the area of Glenrock Lagoon was originally called Pillapay-Kullaitaran, meaning "The Valley of the Palms", because Cabbage Palm was common to the area. The Awabakal people are the traditional land owners of the area. Archaeological evidence has been found to date a campsite at Swansea Heads at 7,800 years, (Dept of Lands 1990). The remains of a tool making site mark the location of communal gatherings at the lagoon.