During Sydney Open 08 I had the unique opportunity to tour the Tank Stream, the original stream of water that the colony of Sydney was founded on in 1788. The stream still flows as it did back then however the city of Sydney has been built right over the top, leaving the stream to meander under the town.
It didn't take long to decide this one, neither rain, nor sleet nor snow was going to stop me, well, actually rain would have, as the stream is now an active stormwater drain, that expells into Circular Quay just like it did at the start of the colony in 1788 and perhaps for many years before that.
The entry to the Stream is via an inauspicious doorway leading down a flight of stairs, we could have of course taken the tradesman's entrance, which is a steel grate in the middle of the road, but thankfully Sydney Water, (who are custodians of the Stream), have installed a "gentlemen's entrance".
Nevertheless, we were still required to don a safety harness, boots and hard hat as there are many hazards to encounter underground.
After shaking out the cockroaches from the boots provided by Sydney Water, (the guide insisted they are the inhabitants of the tunnel and shouldn't be disturbed too much) it was off down the 2 metre drop into the abyss.
The stream was flowing surprisingly fast, so fast in fact that the drop down shook off my glasses, and it was all I could do to stop them from being swept out to the Quay.
Ego intact, (thankfully no-one saw that incident) we proceeded into the murky depths of the tunnel, following this famous water course on it journey through the ages.
Along the way we noted various markings on the walls, a triangle, a letter M, or a letter A, all indicated where the individual stone masons who carved out the tunnel left their daily mark. This was how they were paid, for at the end of each days work, they would mark where they were at so the foreman could establish how much they progressed.
Other features loomed as we sloshed through the water course, holes in the side wall where the pick axes were stuck so they could be used as levers for pulling along equipment, as well as numerous other markings as yet unidentified, yet speculated on by everyone.
The tunnel narrows at one point to a oval shape, and our guide explained that this shape is ideal for stream flow variations due to weather. This means that when there is very little rain, the stream is little more than a trickle, and the smaller part of the oval at the bottom accomodates the flow more easily, but in heavy rain, the stream can turn to a torrent, and then the higer water level through the upper part of the oval tunnel allows more volume of water through at a given time.
As we inched our way through half crouching and balancing between the slippery walls, I couldn't help but wonder of the people walking above us, blissfully unaware of the historic water course that flowed beneath their feet. It made me think of other hidden treasures under the city, a labyrinth of tunnels and traverses that once existed and now forgotten.
All too soon we reached the end of our journey, a short trip up the tunnel, a short trip in time, and as we headed back from where we came, the question of the location of the actual tanks was raised. The stream was named Tank stream after three tanks or wells, were constructed in the sandstone in about 1790, in order to hold more water in times of drought. These tank locations have never been found, and speculation is scattered as to their exact whereabouts. Our guide seemed to think they were somewhere underneath the Australia Square building, buried in the foundations of the monolith.
Wherever they lay, it seems unlikely they will be found. The stream is now heritage listed and is very well maintained by Sydney Water, a testament to the days of the growing colony, truly a marvel of our forgotten past.
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