This fascinating steam powered Alternator located off the Mitchell Port Road in Bairnsdale, Victoria, bestows a reminder of the engineering marvels of yesteryear.
Built in 1917 in Patricoft, Manchester, England, one can only imagine the challenges encountered when transporting this massive machine half way across the world !!! The ‘Browett Lindley’ Alternator was a 500 horsepower, multi-compound steam driven engine, producing some 440 volts of power.
Details of the alternator’s service prior to 1941 are elusive. It is known that the alternator supplied power to the Bendigo Ordnance factory from the early 1940’s until the January of 1963.
On the 7th February 1963, it was commissioned by ‘Ezards’s Timber Mill’, Swift’s Creek (situate some 95 km north of Bairnsdale). The alternator commenced supplying power to the mill, a number of mill houses and to the Swift’s Creek Hall on the 22nd May 1963, and ran continuously until the 3rd of March 1974, when the ‘State Electricity Commission’ first began supplying electricity to the area.
Now situated within a beautiful park on the banks of the Mitchell River in Bairnsdale, Victoria, this monument is a reminder of the innovation and progress of the ‘Industrial Age’.
Facilities provided within this park area include a jetty on the river, a large sheltered area, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, BBQ’s, public toilets and rubbish bins.
A beautiful walking | cycling trail passes by the the park.
Helpful Hints:
– Close proximity to Town Centre – obtain Directions here
– Car Parking available along Mitchell Port Road
– Other Historical POI’s in Bairnsdale
– Museums
– Facilities available at Bairnsdale
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- Off Street Parking
- Big Rig Access
- Sealed Road