Main Menu

Welcome to Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum

Welcome to the Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum, set on the banks of the picturesque Wollondilly River at Marsden Weir, Goulburn, New South Wales. Built in 1885, the steam operated pumping facility provided Goulburn’s first reticulated water supply. The pumphouse still contains the original Appleby Bros. Beam Engine pump and Galloway Boilers.

This unique facility is the only complete, operational steam powered municipal water supply left in its original location, in the Southern Hemisphere. The buildings and engine are of national significance and are now protected by a permanent conservation order.

Entry to the Goulburn Historic Waterworks is available every Sunday from 10am – 4pm, Monday and Tuesday from 10am – 2pm. Tours can be arranged by appointment.

Enjoy a picnic beside the picturesque Wollondilly River or wander through the Pumphouse Museum to enjoy a static display of the massive steam operated engines.

These beautiful pieces of machinery become operational one Sunday each month from 10am – 3pm.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Government’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, under its National Historic Sites program, which enabled the successful restoration of this boiler and also installation of drainage to protect the building. This funding allowed the steaming of the engines to recommence on the 18 March 2012 and will also ensure that the building is protected for future generations.

The National Historic Sites program’s goal is to provide ongoing funding to help protect and conserve Australia’s nationally significant historic sites.

Latest News

21 March 2012

After an absence of over two years Sunday 18 March saw the return of the Appleby Bros beam engine and the Hick Hargreaves Corliss Valve Engine operating under steam. Geoff Kettle, Mayor of Goulburn and Pru Goward, Member for Goulburn were on hand to start the engines at 10am. Visitors to the Waterworks also enjoyed “The Happiest Music on Earth” provided by the “Australia Fair” Grand Concert Street Organ. While students from the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium entertained spectators of the engines in the Pumphouse Museum. Kids were in for a treat to with a free jumping castle and helium ballons. Speaking of treats the Pumphouse Cafe was flat out serving a variety of locally made food.

Photos taken on the day coming soon.

Next steaming 22 April.

15 March 2012
We’re back and steaming!

Calendar of steaming dates for 2012 now available.

24/11/2011 Launch of new website

All scheduled steaming dates have been cancelled due to major repairs needed to get our old boiler working again. Grant funding will be sought to carry out these repairs. In the meantime the grounds and museum will still be open on Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

More news…