Penong Windmill Museum – Penong, Australia - Atlas Obscura
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Penong Windmill Museum

Penong, Australia

A tiny town's spinning, whirling propeller collection holds Australia's largest windmill. 

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As you begin the long, straight drive from South Australia over to the West—it is no secret that there is not too much excitement to be seen on the Nullarbor Plain. 

Enter—the Penong Windmill Museum!

The last town before Border Village, Penong boasts a humble population. The township has long had the name of ‘town of windmills’ due to the lack of a pipe water, so there was always a number of windmills on the drive in, supplying water for the town.

After the growth of solar pumps, residents banded together to restore the town’s great windmills, and create a museum for visitors passing through! 

Just off the main road—and a welcome break in the drive—the main attraction of the museum is ‘The Comet,’ one of only 15 of these windmills made in Australia. It was originally used to pump water for the steam train from Adelaide to Perth. It is HUGE, so it makes a great photo! 

Know Before You Go

The museum is free and open-air. Enjoy!

windmills museums
Community Contributors
kate dinning
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kate dinning
Published
May 19, 2019
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Nearby
Lake Macdonnell
7.75 miles
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114 miles
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129 miles
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