East Water Tower, Heritage water tower in Bundaberg, Australia.
The East Water Tower is a water storage structure in Bundaberg, Queensland, built to supply the city with water. It rises approximately 8 stories and features red-brown glazed bricks, walls that taper toward the top, and rounded windows framed by blind arches along its exterior.
Built between 1900 and 1902, it became essential infrastructure when Bundaberg needed a modern reticulated water supply. The structure reflected advances in municipal engineering that were reshaping Australian cities during that era.
The tower walls bear carved graffiti from the 1920s, showing how generations of local people marked and used this municipal structure. These inscriptions offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of residents who passed through.
The tower stands on Sussex Street where it is visible from the street, though internal access may be limited. The best time to view and photograph it is during morning or afternoon hours when sunlight highlights the brick texture and architectural details clearly.
James Baillie Henderson, Queensland's first government hydraulic engineer, designed this structure and later became known for discovering artesian water sources in the region. His work on this project represented early innovations in Australian municipal water engineering.
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