# Bullendale > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bullendale > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bullendale.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullendale > Source revision: 1237733017 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Abandoned mining settlement in Otago, New Zealand **Bullendale** is an abandoned mining settlement in [Otago](/source/Otago), New Zealand. It is the site of New Zealand's first industrial hydro-electric power plant. Located in rugged and remote countryside, it has survived to become of historical significance, and several archaeological surveys have been conducted there.[1][2] ## Phoenix Mine, Battery and Power Plant The 20 [stamp battery](/source/Stamp_mill) was originally powered mechanically by a water turbine fed from a miners water race. However the lack of water during dry weather prompted the call for power to be provided from an electric generating plant using water from the nearby Skippers Creek, a tributary of the [Shotover River](/source/Shotover_River).[3] The battery was upgraded to 30 stamps in anticipation of the increased power supplied by the electric system. Electricity generation began in 1886 with two dynamos, giving a maximum combined capacity of 50 kilowatts (67 hp). There was a two mile long transmission line from the generating station to the stamping battery.[4] However, this early system proved to have many problems, and the mines inspector is quoted as saying "very little is yet really known about electricity". At first, the dynamos were incapable of powering the full 30 stamps and the water turbine was still needed to run the battery at full capacity. The dynamos were upgraded the following year, replacing the cast-iron armatures with laminated iron ones, and by 1888 the electric plant was capable of powering the 30 stamps as well as an air compressor and a stone breaker.[3] In 1896 a new water race was built, enabling the water to be used directly for power once again. The electric system continued to be used as auxiliary until about 1901 when the dynamos were used for the last time.[2] A historic hut on the site is believed to have been the hydro-electric station manager's accommodation. It is now known as Dynamo Hut and is owned by the [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)).[5] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Phoenix Mine Hydro Electric Plant Site"](http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=5601). [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). Retrieved 9 October 2011. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Petchey_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Petchey_2-1) P.G. Petchey (2006). ["Gold and electricity - Archaeological survey of Bullendale, Otago"](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/sap237.pdf) (PDF). Department of Conservation. Retrieved 6 April 2012. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Phoenix_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Phoenix_3-1) Martin, p. 19-21 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Reilly, H p. 17-18 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Historic Bullendale Hydro Heritage"](http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/otago/queenstown-wakatipu/bullendale-hydro-heritage/). [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 10 October 2011. ## Further reading - Reilly, Helen (2008). *Connecting the Country: New Zealand's National Grid 1886–2007*. Wellington: Steele Roberts. pp. 376 pages. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-877448-40-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-877448-40-9). - Martin, John E (1998). *People, Politics and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880–1998* (Second ed.). Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and [Electricity Corporation of New Zealand](/source/Electricity_Corporation_of_New_Zealand). p. 356. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-908912-98-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-908912-98-6). ## External links - [New Zealand portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:New_Zealand) - [Water portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Water) - [Renewable energy portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Renewable_energy) v t e Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand Seat: Queenstown Populated places Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward Arrowtown Arrow Junction Bullendale Charlestown Coronet Peak Dalefield Gibbston Hayes Creek Lake Hayes Estate Long Gully Macetown Shotover Country Skippers Speargrass Flat The Neck Wharehuanui Queenstown Arthurs Point Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward Arcadia Boydtown Cecil Peak Closeburn Glenorchy Greenstone Halfway Bay Jack's Point Kawarau Falls Kingston Kinloch Lower Shotover Mount Creighton Mount Crichton Mount Nicholas Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi Old Nicholas Paradise Quail Rise Rees Valley Routeburn Walter Peak Woodbine Wye Creek Queenstown Fernhill Frankton Goldfield Heights Hanley's Farm Kelvin Heights Marina Heights Queenstown Central Queenstown East Queenstown Hill Sunshine Bay Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward Albert Town Cardrona Dingle Burn Glendhu Bay Gladstone Hāwea Flat Lake Hāwea Luggate Makarora Matukituki Maungawera Minaret Bay Mount Barker Treble Cone Upper Makarora Wānaka Waiorau Geographic features Ben Lomond Black Peak Bowen Peak Cecil Peak Coronet Peak Jack's Point Jean Batten Peak Kawarau Gorge Kawarau River Kelvin Peninsula Lake Hayes Lake Wakatipu Mount Brewster Queenstown Hill Roys Peak The Remarkables Wakatipu Basin Walter Peak Facilities and attractions Edith Cavell Bridge Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge One Mile Creek Power Station Queenstown Airport Queenstown Events Centre Queenstown Gardens Queenstown Police Station Queenstown Trail Queenstown Winter Festival SkyCity Queenstown Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary Wakatipu High School Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Organisations Eichardt's Hotel Fergburger NZSki Resort Radio Trojan Holdings Sports Queenstown AFC (association football) Skycity Stampede (ice hockey) [44°47′16″S 168°40′26″E / 44.787754°S 168.673869°E / -44.787754; 168.673869](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Bullendale¶ms=44.787754_S_168.673869_E_region:NZ-OTA_type:landmark) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bullendale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullendale) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullendale?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.