A Forest for Australia and Altona Treatment Plant
+ Add to ItineraryDescription
When you think of wastewater treatment, world-renowned art probably doesn’t come to mind. Yet hidden within Melbourne’s urban landscape lies an unexpected story—one where art and sustainability intertwine.
In 1998, New York-based environmental artist Agnes Denes created A Forest for Australia at Greater Western Water’s Altona Treatment Plant. Spanning eight acres, this living artwork consists of 3,700 trees arranged in five circular spirals—a bold statement on ecology, regeneration, and our relationship with the environment.
What's On
This is a rare chance for visitors to uncover the story of _A Forest for Australia—_its early climate challenges, its resilience, and its ongoing revival. Visitors will also step inside another essential urban story: the water cycle. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the treatment plant and uncover the fascinating world of water recycling. See how engineers collaborate with nature, using innovative processes and helpful bacteria to break down waste. Learn how millions of litres of wastewater are sustainably treated each day, providing recycled water for industry and Melbourne’s green spaces.
Children's Activities
While the presentation is targeted to adults, children over the age of 12 are welcome to join under supervision.
Images: (1) Drone shot of ‘A Forest for Australia’ and part of Greater Western Water's Altona Treatment Plant. Photo: courtesy of artist David Murphy and drone operator Leo Dale. (2-5) Community members listening to guides during recycled water plant tour and inside ‘A Forest for Australia’.
Important Details
Tour/event summary information
Saturday 26 July + Sunday 27 July
Tours run 8am, 10.30am, 1pm + 3.30pm
Running for 90 minutes in groups of 20
Bookings
Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 2 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 5 July
Meeting Point
Visitors will need to enter via our gatehouse and have their name crossed off before entering. Photography is allowed but no video. As this is a working treatment plant, visitors will need to sign a participation and indemnity form and listen to a safety briefing before the tour begins.
Please review Greater Western Water's Conditions of Entry for this site before booking. You will be required to sign a hard copy of this form prior to entry.
Accessibility
Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking nearby
There are covered walkways around the tour of the treatment plant. The first spiral of the land art has a path that can be accessed by wheelchair.
