White Bay Power Station

The NSW State Heritage-listed White Bay Power Station will soon bring new energy to Sydney and Australia as it opens its doors to the public for the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.

Placemaking NSW has undertaken extensive remediation and conservation works to repurpose the site as an arts, cultural and community hub.

White Bay Power Station will become a focal point for the transformation of the Bays West precinct into a connected and vibrant new area for living, working and recreation.

White Bay is part of the Balmain Peninsula in the Inner West of Sydney and is one of the most recognised landmarks in the precinct and includes surrounding lands to the White Bay foreshore.

White Bay Power Station was constructed between 1912 and 1917 to power the rail network and is now over 100 years old. The power station is exceptionally significant as the only one retaining machinery and equipment from before the 1950s, demonstrating the process of electricity production and it’s use throughout Sydney’s extensive rail network.

The stretch of Country now known as Bays West has been known for millennia as Gari Gurad/Nura (Saltwater Country) and Nattai Gurad/Nura (Freshwater Country). This Country is celebrated for vast expanses of garaban (rock and sandstone) which in some places provides shelter, gibbaragunya (stone/cave shelters), and in other places creates yiningmah (steep cliffs).

OPENING HOURS

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 11 am-6 pm
Wednesday: 11 am-9 pm
Thursday: 11 am-6 pm
Friday: 11 am-6 pm
Saturday: 11 am-6 pm
Sunday: 11 am-6 pm

White Bay Power Station is open all public holidays including Easter Monday, ANZAC Day and King’s birthday.

ADDRESS

Map of White Bay Power Station

Conditions of Entry

First Nations people are respectfully advised that this exhibition includes works, names, voices, and images of deceased people. This includes cultural practices and artistic intellectual property of a sensitive nature.

By entering the exhibition, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their use for promotional, or any other purpose by Biennale of Sydney. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar Biennale of Sydney events in the future and highlight the event.

This exhibition includes explicit content such as images and text that may be confronting, including stylised images of genitalia and coarse language.

Some artworks will feature strobe lighting in this exhibition.

White Bay Power Station is a remediated space. Please be mindful of uneven ground, low clearances and unfinished surfaces. Please do not enter areas that are restricted.

No external alcoholic beverages to be brought into the venue.

No smoking including the use of e-cigarettes

No illegal or illicit substances.

No bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or skates.

No drones or other remote-controlled devices.

No pets. Service animals are welcome.

Patrons are responsible for their own personal possessions and must not leave bags or possessions unattended at any time.

Unauthorised photography or filming is prohibited.

Accessibility Information

If you require accessibility support, please contact us by phone on 02 8484 8700 or email programs@biennaleofsydney.com.au to talk about what we can do to welcome you to the 24th Biennale of Sydney.

FREE ENTRY
Entry to the exhibition is free.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

The second floor of White Bay Power Station is accessible via lift.

Wheelchairs are available to book at White Bay Power Station. To book, please email bookings@biennaleofsydney.com.au

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING PLATFORMS
A viewing platform will be available at the Chimney Stage at ‘Lights On’ opening night at White Bay Power Station.

AUSLAN ART TOURS
The Biennale of Sydney will be offering five tours for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences, delivered in Auslan. Led in Auslan by deaf artist Angie Goto and interpreted into English by NAATI Certified Auslan Interpreter Will Tapp. Book now: Auslan Art Tours

If you would prefer to contact our staff directly for assistance with your booking, please email bookings@biennaleofsydney.com.au with your chosen date and desired number of tickets and we will book your tickets.

SENSORY FRIENDLY DAYS
Tuesday mornings, from 11 am to 1 pm, are our sensory friendly sessions at White Bay Power Station.
This is an opportunity for visitors who may benefit from a calmer, quieter environment to experience Ten Thousand Suns with reduced sensory stimuli. No bookings necessary.

COMPANION CARD FOR TICKETED EVENTS
Companion Card holders qualify for a complimentary ticket for their companion.

Getting Here

Public Transport

The 443 special event bus will commence service 30 minutes prior to opening with the following times:

Tues-Fri: Every 15 minutes

Weekends: Every 15 minutes

Regular bus routes 441 and 442, departing from the QVB Stand B, will stop at Robert Street, Rozelle. Please note that White Bay Power Station is closed on Monday.

441 City Art Gallery to Birchgrove (Loop Service)

Tues-Fri: Every 10-15 minutes

Weekend: Every 30-60 minutes

442 City QVB to Balmain East Wharf (Loop Service)

Tues-Sun: Every 10 minutes

Regular Opal charges apply for public transport.

Inner West Weekend Shuttle Bus

The Biennale of Sydney (White Bay) to Darling St Express is a free weekend only shuttle bus service from White Bay Power Station to the precincts of Balmain Rozelle. This is a free service provided by Inner West Council.

The service will run every weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The route will leave White Bay Power Station every 30 minutes (on the half-hour and on the hour).

Click on the button below for more details about bus stops and map:

Parking

There is no parking available at White Bay Power Station. There are two accessible parking spots in front of White Bay Power Station.

Plan your trip

Visit the Transport for NSW website: click here.

Travel Access Guide

Click here.

Uber

The Biennale of Sydney has partnered with Uber for an enhanced pick-up and drop-off experience! Look for the sign at White Bay Power Station for a seamless pick-up and drop-off with Uber every weekend, Lights On, and Art After Dark.