A bold vision brought to life

Located in Tasmania’s rugged Central Highlands, Waddamana is the site of Hydro Tasmania’s first power station and the centre-piece of the Great Lake Power Scheme. 

Development of Waddamana Power Station and the scheme commenced in 1910 through a private company, however financial struggles forced a sale to the Tasmanian government in 1914. Tasmania’s Hydro-Electric Department was formed to continue the ambitious development.

Construction in this isolated region was difficult, with limited access in for workers, supplies and equipment. However the resilience and determination of the Central Highlands' people prevailed, with Waddamana A Power Station commissioned in 1916 with two operational generators.

This visionary development deep in the centre of Tasmania was officially opened with great ceremony by Governor General Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson on 6 May 1916, and heralded Tasmania’s move into the industrial age.

Where to find Waddamana

Waddamana is located very close to the geographical centre of Tasmania, with the closest nearby town being the charming historic Bothwell. View directions on Google Maps here. 

Waddamana Power Station is at the half way point of the Highlands Power Trail, a self-drive journey through the Great Lake Power Scheme. We recommend you allow approximately 1 hour to spend at the heritage site. There is no catering facility at Waddamana, however you may wish to bring supplies and relax at the picnic area or use the electric barbecue.

Bringing power to Tasmania

Waddamana initially powered some 300 homes in the Hobart region. However demand for electricity grew in the residential and business sectors, and ‘the Hydro’ responded to meet this.  

An additional seven generators were added to Waddamana A Power Station, a dam was constructed at Miena, and a new station was built at Shannon to harness the water from yingina / Great Lake. A second station, Waddamana B, was added between 1939 and 1949. This stage of development saw an influx of migrant workers, particularly immigrants from Poland who settled in well to the Highlands community and brought along many customs and traditions from their home country. The Waddamana and Shannon power stations formed the hub of the Great Lake Power Scheme.

The three stations operated together until 1964, when Waddamana A and Shannon were decommissioned, and Shannon demolished. Waddamana B continued to operate until 1995.

Experience the development of hydropower in Tasmania

While their generating days are over, the Waddamana Power Stations still have an important role to play. The site, along with other elements of the Great Lake Power Scheme, was added to the Tasmanian Heritage Register in 2014 in recognition of the important part this development played in shaping the Tasmania that we know today.

Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site is now open to visitors, and provides a unique look at the history and development of hydropower in Tasmania.

You can tour through the turbine hall, with hands-on exposure to the mighty Pelton wheel turbines that first began generating electricity over a century ago. The view looking up the penstocks – the steep pipes that transported the water downhill and into the station – is striking, and conjures images of the determined workers who built these in the early 1900s. 

The original machinery at Waddamana has been faithfully restored, along with some of the equipment from the old Shannon Power Scheme. And historical photographs and memories give an insight into what life was like in the early days of this small but social village deep in the Central Highlands.

For visitor information and alerts, click here.