If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you flush the toilet in Melbourne’s western suburbs, the Altona Recycled Water Plant is offering a rare chance to find out – and you will need to be quick. Only eight one-hour guided tours run across the weekend of 25 and 26 July 2026, with just 20 people on each.
The free tours are part of Open House Melbourne for the third year running and give families an expert-led look at how millions of litres of wastewater are cleaned and turned into recycled water for parks, farms and industry. Bookings opened on 1 July and spots have disappeared fast in previous years.
Jodie Hallam, Greater Western Water’s general manager of service delivery, said the plant was not your average weekend destination. “Where else would you get to see first-hand how recycled water is made, get to understand why it’s such a valuable alternative water source, as well as take a walking tour of the remarkable Agnes Denes environmental artwork next to it?” she said.
The artwork Hallam refers to is ‘A Forest for Australia’, a land art installation covering eight hectares with 3,700 trees planted in five circular spirals. The design was inspired by the site’s water tanks and the natural flow of water, making it a rare blend of environmental art and industrial infrastructure.
The tours connect the very practical side of wastewater treatment with a drying climate message. Recycled water from the plant is already used to keep local sports grounds and gardens green, while supporting Werribee’s market gardens. Hallam puts it bluntly: “It’s a great opportunity for the community to learn about the water treatment process, from what happens when you flush the toilet to how we’re keeping parks, gardens and farms green all year round.”
Those who assume the tours are a year-round attraction need to pay attention. The Altona plant is a secure operational site and opens to the public only for this specific weekend. Last year, the tours received the second-highest rating among all Open House Melbourne sites, and the 160 available places were snapped up well before the weekend.
Compared to other water infrastructure open days, this one stands out because the treatment plant walk is paired with the only public access to the Agnes Denes artwork. Standard tours of Melbourne Water’s Werribee plant, for instance, do not include a stroll through a living spiral forest on the same ticket.
Getting there is straightforward. Altona station is the nearest train stop, with a short bus ride or a 20-minute walk to the plant. If you are driving from Werribee or the outer west, the site is a direct trip along the Princes Freeway. Check the Open House Melbourne listing for any event-specific parking details, because the site is normally restricted.
If you are planning a full day out, other Open House Melbourne events are running across Melbourne’s west during the same weekend. Several community buildings, gardens and private homes in Altona, Williamstown and Werribee will also open their doors, so you could easily turn the tour into a wider family outing.
Bookings are essential and free through the Open House Melbourne website. With only eight sessions and a hard cap of 20 visitors each, the only reliable way in is to secure a spot now.
Quick Facts
Greater Western Water
Greater Western Water is a Victorian water corporation responsible for water and sewerage services across Melbourne’s western suburbs, including Altona and Werribee. It manages treatment plants, recycled water initiatives, and community education programs.