Canberra Glassworks Tours, ACT

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Glassworks. Visitors will uncover how this iconic building played a vital role in the development of Australia’s planned capital city and how it has evolved into an internationally recognised glass-making centre. The tour will explore questions such as:

What is the history of the Kingston Powerhouse, and why was it built?
How many ways can we make glass?
What is the chemistry of glass and how does that affect its colour?
How do different temperatures affect glass?
Are there sustainable ways of using glass as a material at the Glassworks?

For more information or to make a booking, contact the Public Programs Manager, Wendy Dawes via the email and phone contacts.

Canberra Glassworks invites you on a special tour of Canberra’s oldest public building, the Kingston Powerhouse which celebrated its centenary in 2015. Designed by John Smith Murdoch, the Power House was the heartbeat of Canberra in its early years. It powered the development of this built city, housed its telecommunications system and provided employment for many people across the region.

This free tour will take visitors through the building, exposing some of its historic features and some creative contemporary glass additions too. Bookings Essential!

This tour is recommended for all people ages 8 years and over.

Most Saturdays and Sundays from 11am | Duration 45 minutes | Tour takes a maximum of six people

Uncover the science of glass blowing in this Hotshop demonstration. Visitors will have a firsthand look at the process of shaping molten glass using traditional tools and techniques. The tour will explore questions such as:

How has glass blowing evolved since its origin thousands of years ago?
What is the chemistry of glass and how does that affect its colour?
Is glass flexible?
What happens when glass is cooled too quickly?
Why is teamwork so important in the Hotshop?

For more information or to make a booking, contact the Public Programs Manager, Wendy Dawes via the email and phone contacts.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Glassworks. Visitors will uncover how this iconic building played a vital role in the development of Australia’s planned capital city and how it has evolved into an internationally recognised glass-making centre. The tour will explore questions such as:

What is the history of the Kingston Powerhouse, and why was it built?
How many ways can we make glass?
What is the chemistry of glass and how does that affect its colour?
How do different temperatures affect glass?
Are there sustainable ways of using glass as a material at the Glassworks?

After a behind-the-scenes tour of the Glassworks, visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on and create their own glass tile. Visitors will cut, design and arrange glass to make their own kiln-formed tiles. Postage of tiles is included.

For more information or to make a booking, contact the Public Programs Manager, Wendy Dawes via the email and phone contacts.

Uncover the science of glass blowing in this Hotshop demonstration. Visitors will have a firsthand look at the process of shaping molten glass using traditional tools and techniques. The tour will explore questions such as:

How has glass-blowing evolved since its origin thousands of years ago?
What is the chemistry of glass and how does that affect its colour?
Is glass flexible?
What happens when glass is cooled too quickly?
Why is teamwork so important in the Hotshop?

After a glass-blowing demonstration in the Hotshop, visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on and create their own glass tile. Visitors will cut, design and arrange glass to make their own kiln-formed tiles. Postage of tiles is included.

For more information or to make a booking, contact the Public Programs Manager, Wendy Dawes via the email and phone contacts.