Goulburn Historic Waterworks
Located in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Wollondilly River. Today houses The Horizontal Engine by Hick, Hargreaves & Co., which was originally put to work at Bell’s Creek gold mine near Araluan, NSW.
About
Step back in time to the 1880s when Goulburn was one of the first regional centres to supply piped drinking water to its residents. The Goulburn Historic Waterworks has remained intact with a pumphouse and working steam beam engine. The buildings and engine are of national significance and are now protected by a permanent conservation order.
The Horizontal Engine by Hick, Hargreaves & Co., was manufactured in Bolton, UK, by Hick, Hargreaves & Co and is the oldest of only three left in the world. The single cylinder horizontal engine measures 9 metres in length, weighs 17 tons with the flywheel being 4 metres in diameter. The engine came to Australia in 1867 and was put to work at Bell’s Creek gold mine near Araluan, NSW. This venture was abandoned about 1896 and the engine then used at Wright and Bruce Tannery at Botany, near Sydney until it was discarded in 1961.
The engine eventually made its way to the “Museum of Historic Engines” (precursor to the Waterworks Museum) in 1970. It was during this period that a grant was made available under the Regional Employment Development Scheme (1975) for the installation, and restoration, of the Hick Hargreaves, in the annexe of the pumphouse.
Physical address
Located on the Marsden Weir off Fitzroy Street, Goulburn
Opening times
Open: Sundays from 10am to 4pm (Note: closes 3pm on steaming days), Monday and Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm, most school holidays (limited days in July school holidays), Public Holidays and by appointment for groups. Closed: Christmas Day & Good Friday
Steam engines operational at different dates throughout the year.
Facilities and Features
The Pumphouse Cafe is open on steaming days 10am-3pm and by appointment.
Pricing and Conditions
Entry is by donation. All proceeds go toward maintenance of the steam engines, buildings and grounds.
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