Ballaarat steam engine

Ballaarat is a narrow gauge locomotive preserved as an industrial artifact at the Busselton visitor center near the waterfront. The engine is displayed alongside exhibits that document Western Australia's timber industry heritage.

The locomotive was constructed in 1871 and later transported timber through Western Australia's first railway line until 1887. This machine represents a turning point in regional industrial development during the timber era.

The locomotive carries a name rooted in Australian language traditions, derived from the city in Victoria where it was manufactured. Visitors can explore this linguistic connection and learn about the role this machine held in regional development.

The locomotive can be viewed daily at the visitor center, where information about local timber industry history is also available. The location near the waterfront makes it convenient to combine this visit with other activities along the shore.

This machine was the first of its gauge type built within Australia, marking a milestone in national engineering history. This achievement is frequently overlooked despite showing how early local industrial manufacturing began.

Location: City of Busselton

Location: Western Australia

Inception: 1871

Part of: Ballaarat Tramline

GPS coordinates: -33.64502,115.34559

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:47