Duck Reach Power Station

The Duck Reach Power Station was the first publicly-owned hydroelectric power station in the Southern Hemisphere. Completed in 1895, the conventional plant provided power to Launceston, in northern Tasmania, Australia. Formed by the Duck Reach Weir across the South Esk River and a diversionary penstock, the plant operated until 1955. The site was repurposed as a technology museum in 1995.

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Nearby Places

South Esk River

The South Esk River, the longest river in Tasmania, is a major perennial river located in the northern region of Tasmania, Australia.

Restaurant

Cataract Gorge

The Cataract Gorge is a river gorge in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, approximately 1.5 km from the city centre. It is one of the region's premier tourist attractions. It is found at the lower section of the South Esk River.

Community Centre Settlement

West Launceston

West Launceston is a residential locality in the local government area of Launceston in the Launceston LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 3 kilometres south-west of the town of Launceston. The 2016 census recorded a population of 4212 for the state suburb of West Launceston. The suburb is part of the Launceston CBD and is also near Cataract Gorge. About 2% of the population are Indigenous and 18% are foreign born. Approximately 7% of employees work in hospitals, with restaurants and education also being significant employers.

Government Hospital

1.8 km

Summerhill, Tasmania

Summerhill is a residential locality in the local government areas of Launceston and Meander Valley in the Launceston LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 6 kilometres south of the town of Launceston. The 2016 census recorded a population of 3135 for the state suburb of Summerhill. It is a suburb of Launceston. Summerhill is primarily a residential suburb and is home to Summerdale Primary School.

Government Mountain

1.9 km

Prospect Vale, Tasmania

Prospect Vale is a rural/residential locality in the local government areas of Launceston and Meander Valley in the Launceston LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 7 kilometres south-west of the town of Launceston. The 2016 census recorded a population of 5067 for the state suburb of Prospect Vale. It is a small suburb of Greater Launceston. Prospect Vale has a small shopping centre, Prospect Vale Marketplace, containing a Woolworths supermarket and a small industrial park lies within its boundaries. Sporting grounds include the St Patrick's Old Collegians Football Club Oval, who compete in the Northern Tasmania Football Association.

Bakery Government

More nearby places... Discovery

The power scheme was built by the Launceston Town Council to provide electric street lighting to replace gas lights. The station generated direct current (DC) for arc lamps and alternating current (AC) for both incandescent lamps and electric motors. The former power station, now museum, is located within the Cataract Gorge Reserve, listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.