Welcome to White Bay Power Station
This visual story is a guide to help you prepare for your visit to the Biennale at White Bay Power Station. It describes the physical journey through the venue, what you will see, and how to access the building. The exhibition is free, so you can enter without a ticket, except for certain ticketed workshops, tours or performances.
Getting to the Venue
The main road leading to the venue is Robert Street. While we encourage public transport, we understand that some visitors require direct vehicle access. There is no general public parking on-site, but we have two accessible parking spaces located inside Gate 1 on Robert Street. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Entering the Venue
There are three main points of entry along Robert St: Gate 1, Gate 2 and Gate 3. All of these entry points will bring you to the Northern Forecourt. As you enter, the ground may be a mix of concrete and bitumen; it is wide and flat to allow for easy movement.
The Info Hub
The Info Hub is your primary point of contact for any assistance during your visit. Located in the Northern Forecourt between Gate 2 and Gate 3, this is where you can go for:
Wheelchair Bookings: We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for loan. It is best to go here first if you have a booking.
Tours: If you are joining a guided tour, this is the meeting point.
General Enquiries: If you feel overwhelmed or lost, the staff at the Info Hub are there to help.
There are no cloaking facilities so please only bring as much as you can carry with you.
Navigating the Key Exhibition Spaces
The exhibition is spread across two double-storey halls. The floors are generally level, but because this is an industrial site, so please be mindful of the scale and materials throughout the building.
Boiler House entry (left) Turbine Hall entry (right)
These two halls are named the Boiler House and the Turbine Hall.
Boiler House
Turbine Hall
Ground Floor
Across the Ground Floor of the site you can explore Lower Boiler House and Lower Turbine Hall. These spaces are vast and may have varying light levels depending on the time of day.
Level 1
Level 1 contains the Upper Turbine Hall and the Upper Boiler House. Because this is a multi-level heritage building, the lifts are an important tool for navigation. The lifts are clearly labeled with the levels G (Ground), 2, and 3. Please note that while the building is large, the lift buttons correspond directly to the exhibition floors. The Upper Turbine Hall is split between two floors, 2 and 3, which are connected by a ramp and staircase.
Toilets and Amenities
Accessible toilets and general amenities are located in a dedicated block in the southern forecourt. All accessible toilets are clearly marked with standard symbols.
Café, Food, and Markets
For refreshments, you can head to the cafe, located on the ground floor of the Boiler House. On weekends, the side of the building, sometimes referred to as the Coal Handling Plaza, hosts market stalls. This is an outdoor area with various seating options which can be used any time.
Program Hub, Performances, and Stages
Our Program Hub and stage are dedicated to live performances, workshops, music, and talks.
The Program Hub is located on the upper floor of the Boiler House and the stage is located on the ground floor, next to the cafe.
Entertainment Hall: For certain ticketed events, you may need to access the Entertainment Hall via Victoria Road. Please contact the Info Hub for assistance finding this part of the venue.
Boiler House stage
Exhibition Hours vs. After-Hours Programming
It is important to note that access to the venue changes depending on when you visit:
During Exhibition Hours: All gates and main halls are open for general flow.
After-Hours/Special Programs: Some areas of the building may be closed off to focus on a performance. This is primarily for our Friday Night ticketed programming ‘Art After Dark’. If you are attending an evening event, please refer to your specific Event Information email.