I had been wanting to visit the old White Bay Power Station for a while now since I heard it had reopened to the public. My friends Valerie and Sue were also keen to make a visit. It seemed good place to visit on a wet day, when it is not so nice being outdoors. We did plan a visit, but when working out the details, we found it was closed that day (a Monday).
Thursdays are usually spent bushwalking with Bob, but he was unavailable this week, and as wet weather was forecast, it seemed an ideal time to go. Both Sue and Valerie were able to come along as well. Valerie had already made an earlier visit, but was happy to go again, and act and guide and to see parts she may have missed.
White Bay Power Station is one of the few old power stations that has a fair amount of its original equipment left intact. Built in 1912, it was originally used to power Sydney’s trams, then with some additions to power the electric trains when the suburban lines were electrified. Much later it was connected to the NSW grid. It was closed in the 1983 and remained un-used. Recently the NSW Government has spent money refurbishing the building and it is now open for events. During our visit it was being used as one of the venues for the 24th Biennale Of Sydney. So there were also some art installations to see.
Here are Valerie and Sue appearing in a diorama –
It was raining outside, but here are the chimney stacks –
Back inside –
A mixture of new art and old technology.
Some of the interior spaces are huge.
All the artworks were described. For the skeleton above part of the description said “Yet Kar’s skeletons are as emotionally vulnerable as they are withdrawn”.
This is one of the old boilers used to produce steam by heating water with coal. It is four stories high. Three other boilers had been removed to make space.
I think this houses a turbine –
With a generator next to it.
And nearby was this massive condenser used to turn the steam back to liquid water.
Many of the turbines and condensers have been removed. This space was now used to display artworks.
This was a very interesting day. It is well worth visiting this old power station, not only for its industrial heritage, but also to see the artworks – many of which are very creative and provocative. It is easy to reach by bus from Stand B outside the Queen Victoria Building in the city, and entry is free. There is a cafe inside the building.