The Substation/
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The Substation/ Open House Melbourne/

Location
On-site
The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport, Victoria 3015, Australia
Dates
25–26 July 2025
Times
Sat 11am–5pm
Fri 11am–5pm
Format
Free/​Tour/​Talk/​Community
Accessibility

This event is wheelchair accessible and gender neutral accessible toilets are available. Registered assistance animals are welcome.

Admission

Friday 25 July

Open access 11 am-5 pm

Saturday 26 July

Open access 11 am-5 pm

Tours run 11 am + 2 pm

Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20.

Talk at 12 pm

Running for 30 minutes

Meeting point

Enter via the front entrance on Market Street.

Tickets

Free – no bookings required

Established over a century ago to power Melbourne’s suburban rail system, The Substation building is a landmark in the industrial history of the inner west. Made in the Edwardian-Baroque style, The Substation boasts the 'Type A' design used for the first five substations constructed as part of the electrification of the Melbourne metropolitan network. The building was designed the Victorian Railways Way & Works in conjunction with electrical engineering firm Merz & McLellan, and built in 1915.

After ceasing operation in the 1960s and falling into disrepair for three decades, in 1996 local residents Nigel Edwards and Darren Williams successfully led a campaign to restore and adapt the building for artistic use as the Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre. Today, as an international destination for contemporary and experimental arts, The Substation both celebrates and transcends its original context in Newport as the nation’s leader in multi-arts and experimental practice. Connecting diverse local communities in Naarm’s west to the world through a program of international, national and local opportunities, The Substation's programming inspires us to refigure problematic histories, imagine possible futures and forge new connections.


WHAT'S ON

Experience the unique story of The Substation and its sustained connection to community. On Saturday, join a guided tour lead by one of The Substation’s history buffs and learn about The Substation's original use, its refurbishment and its use today as a cutting edge experimental contemporary art space. Or over the weekend, choose your own adventure by taking a self-guided tour. The Substation will provide a map for you to follow and a guide outlining points of interest throughout our building.

You can also watch an archival film that will allow you to take a glimpse into the past and experience The Substation's rebirth through footage from the late 1990s-2000s.Or connect with The Substation family, peek behind the curtain of experimental art with CEO Nuala Furtado and meet the local community reference group working to maintain the site's future in Newport.

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

The Substation was once used to help power Melbourne's railways. From the 1960s to the 1990s it was abandoned until the local community reimagined what the building could be and created an art space for dance, music, theatre, performance and visual arts.In this creative design activity for kids, we'll ask you to imagine you are a designer working to bring The Substation back to life. What would you include in your design for artists, dancers and musicians? Perhaps a swimming pool, roller coaster or even a rainforest surrounding the building? Bring your Substation to life by creating your design in a drawing, collage or sculpture using recycled materials.


IMPORTANT DETAILS

Friday 25 July

Open access 11 am-5 pm

Saturday 26 July

Open access 11 am-5 pm

Tours run 11 am + 2 pm

Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20.

Talk at 12 pm

Running for 30 minutes

MEETING POINT

Enter via the front entrance on Market Street.

ACCESS

This event is wheelchair accessible and gender neutral accessible toilets are available. Registered assistance animals are welcome.

Images: (1) Performance Documentation. The Crying Room: Exhumed, 2024, by Marcus Ian McKenzie. Photo: Damien Raggatt. (2) Archival photograph of the exterior of The Substation when it was abandoned. Photo: John Young. (3) Archival photograph of the interior of The Substation while it was being refurbished. Photo: courtesy of The Substation. (4) Performance documentation of Tim Hecker in 2024. Presented by The Substation and Room40. Photo: Damien Raggatt. (5) The Substation at night. Photo: courtesy of The Substation.

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1 Market Street, Newport,
Victoria 3015, Australia

Currently closed
Wed–Sat 11am–5pm

Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 11-5pm (03) 9391 1110
info@thesubstation.org.au

We acknowledge and recognise the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Yalukit-willam of the Kulin Nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land that The Substation is on. We extend our respects to their ancestors and elders past and present, and to all First Nations people.

We are committed to continually improving our services to ensure our events can be enjoyed by all. If you have specific access requirements (including seating arrangements for events) please get in touch.

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© 2025 Substation. Website by Base Design.
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What's on
Exhibition/​Free/​Talk
Jessica Clark/​ In the air /​ 29 May–16 August 2025/
Free/​Tour/​Talk/​Community
Open House Melbourne/​ 25–26 July 2025/
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