Mount Crosby East Bank Water Treatment Plant

Perched high above the Brisbane River, Mount Crosby’s East Bank Water Treatment Plant is where large-scale water treatment in Queensland began and where it continues today.

Supplying most of the drinking water for Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan, East Bank can treat up to 650 million litres of water every day. But this is more than just a water treatment plant, it’s a living record of over 130 years of engineering, innovation and public service.

Carved into the steep hillside of Mount Crosby, the site is renowned for its dramatic setting and layered history. Visitors will see functioning heritage assets, century-old reservoirs, an iconic cast-iron standpipe and buildings that tell the story of water treatment through periods of growth, challenge and change.

East Bank blends engineering precision with unexpected beauty and a few quirks along the way, including a locally famous “ghost house.” Still operating on its original site since 1892, it remains one of Brisbane’s most significant and fascinating pieces of infrastructure.

Parking and meeting point: Guests are to meet at 58 Stumers Road – East Bank Pumping Station. There is parking available on site. Guests will be transported by bus to Mount Crosby East Bank for the tour (please note – this is not a tour of the East Bank Pumping Station, only the Water Treatment Plant.)

A Few Stand-Out Facts:

• East Bank is 2.6 times larger than Queensland’s next biggest water treatment plant
• It has been operating continuously since 1892
• Built on challenging terrain, the site grew vertically as much as it did horizontally
• Capacity: up to 650 million litres of drinking water per day

Dress Requirements:
Guests will visit an operational site, so safety is our priority. All guests are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Wide brim hat
• Sun-safe clothing (long sleeved shirts and long trousers mandatory)
• Enclosed flat shoes
• Sunglasses (optional)
• Seqwater will provide hi-vis vests and safety glasses (you are welcome to wear your own long-sleeved, high-vis shirt and safety glasses)

Mobility: To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort during the visit, please note that this is a guided walking tour of an operational site. All participants must have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility, as the tour may involve ascending and descending two flights of stairs and approximately one kilometre of walking over uneven ground.

Minimum Age: The minimum age for visitors on the tour is twelve years old. Guests aged 12 – 18 must be accompanied by an adult.