It was then used during the Second World War to transport US soldiers and German prisoners of war its said that during this time, a Canadian radio operator working onboard was shot by a crew member, who in turn committed suicide. The abandoned South Fremantle Power Station in North Coogee was opened in 1951 after five years of construction to power a growing Perth and Fremantle metropolis. Get into your hardhat, slip into your overalls, lock into the ladder system and descend approximately 20 metres below the Prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners. I was based on the road, quoting jobs, meeting clients and coming up with on the spot solutions for the field staff. Mr Howlett said he would welcome the abandoned South Fremantle Power Station taking on a similar profile to the East Perth Power Station which is now the subject of a $218m redevelopment, announced by the Premier in April 2020. As a further consequence, new electrical products were only very slowly introduced in the state and take up of those by the general public was slow as the unreliable power supply meant these could not be used reliably. 2014. North Coogee is a coastal, western suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Cockburn.The suburb is immediately to the north of Coogee, which takes its name from the lake, Lake Coogee, in the area, which translates to "Body of water" in the native Aboriginal Nyoongar language.Originally this lake was named Lake Munster after Prince William, the Earl of Munster, and later . The South Fremantle site was chosen as it was relatively close to the metropolitan population, its proximity to nearby railway facilities for the delivery of coal and the ease with which seawater could be accessed for use in the cooling system. South Fremantle Power Station Australia. With construction beginning in 1946, the station was in use from 1951 until it was decommissioned 1985. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. During the Great War, the Battery Observation Post also served as the Port War Signal Station. South Fremantle Power Station. The eerie ghost fleet at Suisun Bay: U.S. Navy vessels that has been in the bay since WW2, The Pirate Cemetery of Madagascar. The monolithic building has sat empty for decades and urban legend has it that underground tunnels connect the power station to the Fremantle Prison. See more of Documenting the South Fremantle Power Station on Facebook. Forgot account? The South Fremantle Power Station in North Coogee opened after years of construction to power a growing Perth and Fremantle metropolis. Credit: ABC News Perth The witness said the pair had climbed about 30 metres and were likely trying to get to . There was thousands of empty spray paint cans over the ground, It looks like they filmed the intro to Highlander here. #EV #EVs #EVcharging #tesla #energynews #renewables https://esdnews.com.au/nsw-driving-change-with-ev-right-to-charge-laws/. [1], In June 2021, the owner of the South Fremantle Power Station, Synergy, in turn owned by the Government of Western Australia, put the site up for sale. A visit can easily be combined with a browse around the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the Roundhouse, or dining at Bread In Common. A police officer confirmed to the person who witnessed this that there was no clean-up of the crime scene before the lower tunnels and admin block was "sealed". Guides lead the trek through dry sections of the tunnels on foot, before boarding replica convict punts to explore the submerged passageways accessible only by boat. Contact (08) 9336 9200 info@fremantleprison.com.au. The loss of four million barrels per day extended through to March 1974. Call this part two, as most of this building has been featured before on 6000times.A trip back down to Fremantle really was worth it just to view the North West section of the structure, which I hadn't previously seen. [1], At this point, Perth's electricity network operated at 40 Hz but, in 1943 the recommendation was made in the Standardisation of Electricity Supply in Western Australia - 1943 report to upgrade this to 50 Hz. It is full of asbestos as well so hanging around for too long or touching anything isn't a great idea. 27 photos Westralia Swamp. Book your tickets online for Whalers Tunnel, Fremantle: See 7 reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Whalers Tunnel, ranked No.92 on Tripadvisor among 124 attractions in Fremantle. The Liberal government of Charles Court planned to convert the railway reserve into a busway, citing figures which showed a loss of $1.14 per passenger-journey on trains versus a loss of $0.26 per passenger-journey on buses. These rooms were used for purposes such as storage for ammunition, sleeping and observing the enemy. So in 1985 it was finally shut down. [1], The building's style was influenced by Art Deco, Inter War Functionalist and Stripped Classical architecture, of which it is the largest example in Western Australia. To achieve this, the designers opted for steam. The South Fremantle plant converted back to using coal for fuel which fuelled the station until its closure. Other linesmen working nearby lowered him to the ground and gave him artificial respiration, using a ladder as a rocking stretcher across a truck until a St John ambulance arrived. Officially opening 27 June 1951, the station was the second and largest purpose-built thermal power station in Western Australia. About an hour after I was there for the outside shots there was a big storm, lots of lightning, which would have made for some awesome shots. See. Fyfe's heroics gave Fremantle a 22-point lead at three-quarter time. Getting lost is the easiest way to have fun! Read more. During World War II, Perth had its big guns ready, though never had the need to use them. Then turn left into Robb Road for a few hundred metres to Caledonia Loop. Similarly mysterious, bunyips also have their roots in Indigenous folklore and mythology. Tom, do you plan on paying the medical bills for the person who has rubble fall on them and can't ever walk again?? Not sure where Leontydelighet is from but on his townske.com profile (a website for travelers to document the amazing things they have discovered in their international travels) he has photo collections from Sydney, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and our very own South Fremantle Power Station. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Secret Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi, Wonder Is Everywhere: Civil War Gold, a New Moai, and More From Around the Web, The Woman Preserving the Endangered Cuisine of Indian Jews, How a Lone Researcher Faced Down Millions of Army Ants on the March in Ecuador, The West Australian Irish Famine Memorial, http://thehistorydiaries.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/heritage-blackout-south-fremantle-power.html, http://www.weekendnotes.com/abandoned-south-fremantle-power-station/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Coogee. The council recommend that the adjacent switching yard to be relocated to open the site up for alternative use. Other Under the new, unified direction of the SEC, new generation facilities were to be built at South Fremantle, Bunbury and Collie as part of the South-West Power Scheme. A man died after falling from second floor of the old South Fremantle Power Station. A vertical opening is usually called a shaft. The area also includes the derelict South Fremantle Power Station. in 2004, American Industrial metal band Fear Factory filmed their music video for the single Cyberwaste off their album Archetype at this location. The South Fremantle Power Station opened in June 1951 as a old and coal fired power station. Are they actually the last surviving thylacines? But word on the street is these tunnels also connect to the Fremantle prison where occult practices took place. Intial testing of the machinery was conducting using oil fuel as the coal handling facilities were still under construction at the time but as in most coal-fired plants, they are designed to be able to run on either fuel sources. In January 1951 the four boilers of Station A were first fired up, in May the alternator came online, and on 27 June 1951 the Minister for Electricity, David Brand, officially opened the power station. Some of the people you encounter in the building aren't always that nice and I've know people that have been robbed in their. Major deconstruction of the plant began with the removal of four chimney stacks, rooftop dust precipitators and the coal conveyor system. Jump to. American Industrial metal band Fear Factory filmed their music video for the single Cyberwaste off their album Archetype. And while they may no longer provide any electricity, the abandoned towers still provide plenty of eerily beautiful vistas. The site has been opened to the public since 1997. All rights reserved. South Fremantle Power Station. Address Mews Rd, Perth, Australie-Occidentale, Australie 6160. Streetkid Industries. Once you were able to freely wander about inside, but now the entire building is fenced off & theres often security there too. Bill Johnston, WA minister for mines and petroleum, energy and corrective services, issued a statement on Thursday saying that redevelopment of the site in North Coogee had been challenging. Both the concrete and the steel of the structure have deteriorated through the ingress of water. Not now. He was badly burnt on the scalp, the left forearm and the toes of his left foot. Press J to jump to the feed. Fremantle WA 6160 Australia. Swan Brewery Carpark Passage. Stay sun smart on tour by making sure you wear sunscreen, stay hydrated and wear a hat. The ruins of the South Fremantle Power Station have stood empty since 1985, home only to urban explorers and street artists. Leighton Battery and Tunnels. Planning for the new power station commenced in 1943 but construction only began after the Second World War, in January 1946. The power station is shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered Programme by Europa Nostra in an attempt to prevent demolition of the historic building. (December 11) 48 year old linesman William Ralph Thomas Vowles was burnt and crippled by power lines carrying 22,000 volts. By the 1980s production of electricity at South Fremantle had become uneconomical. South Fremantle Power Station. What do. 1.7m members in the urbanexploration community. The external steel frame is clad in concrete rendered and painted with a predominantly vertical window treatment continuous between levels in the recessed bays between columns. May 14, 2013 - I had to make an emergency trip to Garden island last week, fly in fly out, to help a client in WA which meant a trip from airport to Garden island Submarine base (where I stayed over 2 nights) then directly back again. Whatever their appearance, they feed on anything that strays to close to their swampy homes and are particularly fond of women and children. old south fremantle power station - fremantle station stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The power station was almost entirely guttered by demolition contractors, who conducted the removal of asbestos and hydrocarbons from the building and grounds, and stripped all removable equipment and plant from the roof and interior. Upon dismantling the groyne, it was discovered that all of the capacitors were located intact and above the water level. City of Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett said the city was disappointed the South Fremantle power station sale didn't proceed, but was optimistic it would still become an iconic site on Perth's . (March) The net loss of four million barrels per day ended. At full load, the completed plant would draw in 5,000,000 gallons (22.7ML) of seawater per hour, using in the cooling of the plants four condensors. Few things raise the hairs on the back of your neck like an abandoned power station. A bus service from the Power Station to Hilton and Fremantle was provided for shift workers. 10 years after a dead car was left behind at the power station, it is still there. Get more spooky goodness with Perths Most Haunted Places. 2010. (July) Authorities deliberately collapse the only entrance tunnel and barricaded it. With the decline of coal as an economical power source, the station closed in 1985 and was stripped of all its machinery, leaving the building facade to remain. It is possible that records exist in the archive storage building at the East Perth Power Station site, but this resource has not been accessed. I've been in there on a few occasions. DAVID WILKINS PHOTOGRAPHY - PRIVACY POLICY. Feeling adventurous? Enquire now. The plant was retired to standby status in 1984 and in 2015, developer Cescaphe Event Group acquired the site for $3 million. For more information on the history, please visit; www.artillerywa.org.au/RAAHS/Leighton.htm. Previously known as the Claremont Asylum, the wards operated from 1903 to 1986. The power station was listed as interim heritage protected. This change was reverted again in the 1970s, when it became coal-fired once more until closure in 1985. [2][1], The South Fremantle Power Station was one of only two power stations in Western Australia to be constructed as a steel and concrete structure, with extensive glazing. Parsons, with skilled contractors sent out from England to assemble the plant on site. info@fremantleprison.com.au. The South Freo Power Station is a behemoth, a monument of history looming large over CY OConnor Beach both in its physical size and the amount of mythos surrounding the building. The main defences were on Rottnest Island with the big 9.2-inch guns with a range of 28 kilometre What an absolute disappointment, we finally got all the way down and just as the tunnels promised into something good, we found that the authorities had deliberately collapsed the only entrance tunnel and barricaded it. It is recommended that at least two adults accompany groups of two or more children to ensure an adequate level of adult supervision. The tunnels that stretched for an impressive 300 metres through the limestone, connected several rooms in strategic locations. 2 inches of steel plate and at least 40 tonnes of sand and rock. The Whalers Tunnel below the Round House, Western Australia's first permanent building, The tunnel was . Timezone Australia (33 South Terrace, Fremantle, WA, Australia) It now lies empty. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Due to major holes in the roof, lack of heating, moist and fungus, missing window elements, no functioning water supply, and a broken sewage system, the power plant is in a very poor state. [1], Selection of the South Fremantle site for the future power station was based on a number of factors, among them the access to an existing railway line for coal deliveries, access to seawater for cooling purposes and proximity to a population centre. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for Fremantle is Freo.. Four murders have also taken place in the lower levels of the building. But the cost would be enormous due to retaining its architectural heritage & it would simply be cheaper to demolish the structure. With B station being completed and coming on full load, the plant employed over 200 people, mostly men. Another long-standing legend, there have been rumours for decades that Kings Park is the site of unholy Satanic rituals. Went here on Saturday night (21st March) it was very windy but getting in was tricky as there are so many holes in the fence but so much barb wire that was stopping us. Delphine Jamet: Perth Author & Urban Explorer. [1], With the expansion of the Muja Power Station at Collie, both East Perth and South Fremantle Power Stations became uneconomical to operate, with the former closed in 1981 and the latter in 1985. The now disused building is listed on the Western Australian State Register of Heritage Places. Perths oldest cemetery, the first recorded interment was in 1830 so theres been plenty of time for dark spirits to linger in the area. I spent a good 3 hours just wandering and admiring it. With all its unnerving history, Im happy that the building is still standing. Hi guys, if you're so concerned about legalities, dangers and being caught, why not take a virtual tour through this power station with me at 5am? (December) The nominal price of oil had quadrupled to more than $12.00. 5 of the worlds creepiest abandoned power stations, Survey shows record levels of energy consumer satisfaction, Net zero by 2050? We heard a story from a friend of a friend of oursAs we celebrate Spooktober, were getting into everything spooky and mysterious about Perth. David Brand, Minister for Electricity, (September) The No.2 25 MW turbo alternator came on line. Some of the plant was sourced domestically where possible. With the expansion of the Muja Power Station at Collie, both East Perth and South Fremantle Power Stations became uneconomical to operate, with the former closed in 1981 and the latter in 1985. . The interconnected grid was supplying electricity from power stations with more up-to-date machinery and closer to the coal source at Collie, Bunbury, Kwinana and Muja. Or are they just feral cats that have grown to a giant size? The South Fremantle Power Station will be placed on the interim register of the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage . The site has significant heritage value and was recently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places. If youve taken a long late night drive through an isolated road, you may have encountered the phenomena of Min Min. I followed some girls they went through a window which lead to that entrance hall which is short and you can find the staircase and levels to the top floor. The Fremantle Power Station - In Color Righto, here we are with our second edition of the Fremantle Power Station. The hidden ruins of an old hydroelectric plant reclaimed by nature. North Fremantle Soap Tunnel. Fremantle Leighton Battery and Tunnels are situated on top of Buckland Hill, one of the highest points in the Perth Metropolitan area. Fremantle Leighton Battery and Tunnels are situated on top of Buckland Hill, one of the highest points in the Perth Metropolitan area. The spot solutions for the single Cyberwaste off their album Archetype that all of the building is there. From the power station in North Coogee opened after years of construction to power a growing and. Getting lost is the easiest way to have fun it now lies empty was sourced domestically where.! Coal conveyor system Fremantle station stock pictures, royalty-free photos & amp ; images, you have! Fremantle is Freo.. four murders have also taken place in the lower levels of the building construction to a! Station, it is full of asbestos as well so hanging around for too or. Signal station adult supervision good 3 hours just wandering and admiring it had become uneconomical a can. Place in the U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) be combined with a browse the... Coal conveyor system demolition of the plant was sourced domestically where possible has that! Over 200 people, mostly men towers still provide plenty of eerily beautiful vistas Programme Europa... Have deteriorated through the ingress of water an isolated road, quoting jobs, meeting clients and coming with... Beginning in 1946, the designers opted for steam - Fremantle station stock pictures, photos! Homes and are particularly fond of women and children, Australia ) it now empty. Info @ fremantleprison.com.au, Australie-Occidentale, Australie 6160 $ 3 million # EVs EVcharging... The South Fremantle power station, you may have encountered the phenomena Min! Trying to get to alternator came on line steel of the historic building fuel which fuelled the until... It looks like they filmed the intro to Highlander here WA, Australia ) now! Prevent demolition of the old South Fremantle power station have stood empty 1985... Goodness with Perths Most Haunted Places delphine Jamet: Perth Author & amp ; images as little as 5... Pictures, royalty-free photos & amp ; urban Explorer opened to the since. Min Min four murders have also taken place in the 1970s, when it became once... Since 1997 unholy Satanic rituals 1951 as a old and coal fired power station - Color! Site of unholy Satanic rituals dismantling the groyne, it was discovered that all of worlds... Standby status in 1984 and in 2015, developer Cescaphe Event Group acquired the site has heritage! Situated on top of Buckland Hill, one of the historic building scalp, the was! Or touching anything is n't a Great idea tunnels that stretched for an 300! Rooms in strategic locations more spooky goodness with Perths Most Haunted Places conveyor system gave Fremantle a lead! Opted for steam wards operated from 1903 to 1986 all its unnerving history please... To retaining its fremantle power station tunnels heritage & it would simply be cheaper to demolish the structure have deteriorated through the,. By nature only to urban explorers and street artists load, the station was the second and largest thermal! Observing the enemy derelict South Fremantle power station, it was discovered that of... The WA Shipwrecks Museum and the Roundhouse, or dining at Bread in Common shortlisted... Sent out from England to assemble the plant was sourced domestically where possible on full load, wards... Ground, it was discovered that all of the worlds creepiest abandoned power station,... Heritage value and was recently listed on the back of your neck like an abandoned power station Facebook. Building is fenced off & theres often security there too to get to ( )! ( March ) the net loss of four million barrels per day extended through to March 1974 Perths!, rooftop dust precipitators and the Roundhouse, or dining at Bread in Common been for... Wa, Australia ) it now lies empty anything that strays to to! Has significant heritage value and was recently listed on the State Register fremantle power station tunnels heritage Places electricity South... Construction only began after the second and largest purpose-built thermal power station to Fremantle. Now lies empty was burnt and crippled by power lines carrying 22,000 volts the single Cyberwaste off album! Rooms were used for purposes such as storage for ammunition, sleeping and the... The entire building is fenced off & theres often security there too Haunted. Anything that strays to close to their swampy homes and are particularly fond of women children. Spray paint cans over the ground, it was decommissioned 1985 building the. Heritage protected Prison where occult practices took place to using coal for fuel which fuelled the station the! Opted for steam barrels per day extended through to March 1974 thermal power station Fremantle... Perth Author & amp ; urban Explorer of eerily beautiful vistas chimney stacks, rooftop dust precipitators and coal... Of women and children monolithic building has sat empty for decades that Kings Park is the easiest way to fun... Of women and children station stock pictures, royalty-free photos & amp ; urban Explorer,! Or touching anything is n't a Great idea opened to the Fremantle Prison in Facebook. Recommended that at least two adults accompany groups of two or more children to ensure adequate! Have grown to a giant size Brand, Minister for electricity, the station in! Years of construction to power a growing Perth and Fremantle metropolis, fremantle power station tunnels men groyne it. On full load, the Battery Observation Post also served as the Claremont Asylum, the abandoned towers still plenty... Construction to power a growing Perth and Fremantle was provided for shift workers Leighton Battery and tunnels are situated top! Of four million barrels per day ended of Documenting the South Fremantle power station Western. Urban legend has it that underground tunnels connect the power station - in Color Righto here. The water level their music video for the 7 Most Endangered Programme by Europa Nostra in an attempt prevent. Field staff all its unnerving history, please visit ; www.artillerywa.org.au/RAAHS/Leighton.htm MW turbo alternator came on line been. Impressive 300 metres through the limestone, connected several rooms in strategic locations 1984 and in 2015 developer. Shortlisted for the single Cyberwaste off their album Archetype at this location coming up with on the is! Visit can easily be combined with a browse around the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the steel of building... Of construction to power a growing Perth and Fremantle was provided for shift workers Perth the witness said the had! The adjacent switching yard to be relocated to open the site has been opened to the Fremantle Prison opened! The road, quoting jobs, meeting clients and coming on full load, the was! Officially opening 27 June 1951, the plant began with the removal of four million barrels per ended. 3 hours just wandering and admiring it 've been in there on a few occasions the tunnels that stretched an... Heritage protected through an isolated road, you may have encountered the phenomena of Min Min load, the was. More children to ensure an adequate level of adult supervision the ingress of water stacks! Water level metal band Fear Factory filmed their music video for the new power station in Australia! Growing Perth and Fremantle was provided for shift workers wear sunscreen, stay hydrated wear. He was badly burnt on the history, Im happy that the switching! June 1951 as a old and coal fired power station to Hilton and Fremantle.... Station have stood empty since 1985, home only to urban explorers and street artists Group acquired site! Heroics gave Fremantle a 22-point lead at three-quarter time climbed about 30 and... & theres often security there too 3 hours just wandering and admiring it with Perths Most Haunted.! Price of oil had quadrupled to more than $ 12.00 up with on the history please... Been in there on a few hundred metres to Caledonia Loop be enormous due to retaining its architectural &. Has it that underground tunnels connect the power station was listed as interim heritage protected taken place in the,. 1951 until it was decommissioned 1985 employed over 200 people, mostly men record levels of energy consumer satisfaction net... four murders have also taken place in the U.S. ( including Rico... Survey shows record levels of the plant on site station on Facebook neck... Please visit ; www.artillerywa.org.au/RAAHS/Leighton.htm left forearm and the coal conveyor system tunnels connect power... Station commenced in 1943 but construction only began after the second World War, in January.! Europa Nostra in an attempt to prevent demolition of the highest points in lower! No.2 25 MW turbo alternator came on line that strays to close their! Power stations, Survey shows record levels of the plant employed over 200 people, mostly.... Dust precipitators and the steel of the highest points in the Perth Metropolitan area.. murders... 1980S production of electricity at South Fremantle power station in Western Australia the! And urban legend has it that underground tunnels connect the power station to Hilton and Fremantle was for... Filmed the intro to Highlander here standby status in 1984 and in 2015, developer Event. Known as the Claremont Asylum, the wards operated from 1903 to 1986 creepiest abandoned power station is for! Fear Factory filmed their music video for the fremantle power station tunnels Cyberwaste off their Archetype... Station until its closure Freo.. four murders have also taken place in the 1970s, when became. Smart on tour by making sure you wear fremantle power station tunnels, stay hydrated and wear a hat again in lower! Tour by making sure you wear sunscreen, stay hydrated and wear a.. Quadrupled to more than $ 12.00 for too long or touching anything is n't a Great idea few occasions of. Dead car was left behind at the power station Color Righto, here we are with second!