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Why not book on a three-hour guided tour of the Port Kembla Steelworks with Inside Industry.
They operate six days a week for locals and visitors interested in an up close and personal experience at a major steel making plant.
A three-hour public tour in an air-conditioned bus is offered from 9.30am Friday and Saturday are a result of Inside Industy working with Destination Wollongong’s Stuart Barnes.
Group Tours for 12 or more cane be arranged by appointment any day Monday to Saturday.
The chance for locals to explore their own back yard and those holidaying in Wollongong to see a working steel making plant is already proving popular. And many adults are bringing children aged 10 years and over.
On Friday Stephen Owen, of Bankstown, returned after more than 50 years.
He worked at Port Kembla between 1956 and 1962 when there were more than 21,000 employees. And he brought along grandsons Luke Hocraft, 10, and Aidan Hocraft, 11, for a look.
“We are camping at Corrimal. It is our yearly ritual and they kept telling me they want to come and see the steelworks. They have heard me tell them a few stories over the years, Mr Owen said.
The boys said they wanted to come because it was something different to do in the holidays and a chance to learn something new.
Inside Industry general manager Brent Hilbrink-Watson said BHP and then BlueScope had offered public steel tours since the 1950’s. In the mid 90’s Australia’s Industry World took them over.
“We rebranded early last year as Inside Industry. We have done public tours in the past by appointment only. Our motto here is connecting community and industry and we really want to show people the amazing Port Kembla Steelworks and what happens inside”.
Mr Hilbrink-Watson said most Wollongong and Shellharbour people are related to or know someone who has worked at the steelworks. But many people still drive past every day not really knowing what happens beyond the fence.
“There are a lot of misconceptions. We just want to show people around, be transparent and give them a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.
Mr Barnes said the steelworks is spectacular and the tours are conducted by former steelworkers Eric Bradley and Reiner Glaser. He expects they will also appeal to cruise ship visitors, groups, clubs and schools.
“Inside Industry will also be operating port tours and in the future we are looking at mines as well”.
Mariane Newhouse recently moved back to Wollongong from Sydney and decided to bring her daughter Alana, 14, along.
“I went on a steelworks school tour in the 70’s. Because I had been here before I wanted to see how things have changed. It has improved,” she said.
“We went onto the Destination Wollongong website and said “let’s be a tourist in our own city”.
Alana described the tour as “really fascinating” and recommended everyone do a tour because they will learn so much.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
