White Bay Power Station

The historic White Bay Power Station is one of Sydney's most recogniseable industrial landmarks. After being boarded up for a little over a century, it opened up to the public as an exciting hub for arts and culture in March 2024, launching its extensive refurbishment as a central location for the epic 24th Biennale of Sydney (which casually won two gongs in the inaugural Time Out Sydney Arts & Culture Awards).

You'll find White Bay Power Station situated just off one of Sydney's longest and busiest roads, at that point where the suburbs of Rozelle and Balmain meet. Developers would describe it as "a focal point in transformation of the Bays West precinct".

Here's a little trivia for you: this state-heritage-listed factory building was constructed between 1912–1917, and it operated right up until 1984, playing a cruicial role in powering Sydney's tram and rail networks. It also happens to be Sydney's oldest surviving power station, and it still holds equipment and machinery that predates the 1950s.

The site's recent refurbishment preserved much of the factory's original fixtures and equipment, so now you can have a stickybeek at that too. (Although, some misty-eyed elder millienials will tell you stories about how they attended some pretty bangin' illegal raves in the Power Station during that 100 years it was was closed to the public.) 

How to get to White Bay Power Station

Since there’s no parking on site, the best way to get to White Bay Power Station is by public transport. Regular bus routes 441 and 442 stop on Robert Street, just outside the venue. The easiest place to board is from a bus stop near Town Hall Station and the Queen Victoria Building.

The site is generally only open to visitors for events, festivals and tours. Check out what's coming up over here.

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news and things to do, straight to your inbox.

RECOMMENDED: 

Want more? Check out the best art galleries in Sydney