Psyche Bend Pumps Running Day
New Years Resolution or Childhood Fantasy Fulfilled.
If you ever dreamed of being a steam engine driver, or have set your sights on doing so this year, here is your chance.
The Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society will be firing up the Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station on January 1, 2026
This event will give attendees the unique opportunity to witness the historic steam pumping station in action, showcasing how water was pumped to irrigate the surrounding vineyards by steam from 1891 to 1959.
The Chaffey Brothers Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station is a significant piece of Australia’s irrigation history, and played a crucial role in the development of Mildura and the surrounding region, helping to establish the area as a major agricultural hub.
During the Running Day event, visitors will have the chance to see the steam pump in operation, experience demonstrations of the pumping process, and learn about the history of the pumps from knowledgeable guides. There will also be opportunities to explore the station’s grounds and buildings, including the original pump house and replica boiler house.
Importantly, visitors don’t just have to just watch. Anyone interested in learning the intricacies of steam engines can talk to any of the fully trained volunteers, come along to our next meeting and by our following run on Easter Sunday be ready to stand on the working side of the fence (under supervision of course).
“We are thrilled to be hosting another Running Day event at the Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station,” said Malcolm Bennet, President of the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society. “It’s a chance for visitors to experience first hand the ingenuity and engineering marvel of this historic site, and to learn about its vital role in shaping the landscape and economy of the region.”
The Running Day event will take place on January 1, 2026, from 10:30am to 3:00pm at the Pumping Station, located at the end of Psyche Bend Road, Nichols Point, in the Kings Billabong Reserve.
For more information about the Psyche Bend Steam Pumping Station or the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society contact Mal White on 0403 320 686 or mrmalwhite@gmail.com.
