So anyway I did a solo expedition to Wakt Tunnel today because I just randomly felt like it and it's been ages since I last got out. FINALLY brought my new DSLR (70D) and tripod with me somewhere so my photos are alright this time!
So the back story for this tunnel goes something like this (I don't care if it isn't correct)...
When building the Sydney Harbour Tunnel the designers decided to channel runoff into the existing Careening Cove SWC (Milsons Park Drain) which drained the North Sydney CBD into the harbour. Technology in 2016 means that we can launch mini TBMs to dig out perfectly circular tunnels so we can line them with boring old RCPs (e.g. the current Green Square drainage project). However, 20 odd years ago this technology was either unavailable or too expensive, so the Harbour Tunnel designers decided they'd blast their way through the Hawkesbury Sandstone with explosives. And can I say, what a bloody great decision it was, leaving behind a really nice 8ft rock tunnel (with a concrete floor). The funny thing is that this huge tunnel flows into a small 3ft RCP, but on the plus side this turns Wakt Tunnel into an excellent yet rarely visited location.
Anyway, for those who don't know the location so well, getting to the Wakt Tunnel involves crawling up about 50 metres of 3ft RCP, of which 30 metres is partially flooded due to debris. Dragging tripod and camera kit through here is not fun but it's definitely worth it once you make it through. Unfortunately for me I couldn't manage to carry the tripod and bag at the same time so I had to make 2 trips to get all my stuff through. My hands and knees aren't thanking me for it.
1. THE CRAPPY 3FT RCP AND THE DEBRIS BLOCKING THE FLOW
After this I spent about 30-40 mins experimenting and taking photos. This was the first time I've shot with the 70D underground and considering that I was very happy with the results I achieved. For some reason I've never gone beyond the first grille (which looks into the harbour tunnel southbound). Maybe the RCP leads on to the northbound tunnel?
2. LOOKING DOWNSTREAM BACK TOWARDS THE RCP JUST AFTER THE TRANSITION
3. THE TUNNEL IN ITS FULL GLORY
4. THE TOP END OF THE TUNNEL - THE GRILLE IS JUST INSIDE THE RCP
5. LOOKING UP INTO THE SYDNEY HARBOUR TUNNEL SOUTHBOUND
6. LOOKING BACK DOWNSTREAM FROM THE TOP END
7. EXPERIMENTAL SHOT OF ME WALKING DOWN THE TUNNEL
If you decide to explore Milsons Park drain and the Wakt Tunnel when you're down under BRING KNEE PADS AND GLOVES it will save you blisters on your palms and cuts on your knees from all the debris in the flooded section. Even without these protective measures the trip will still be fulfilling and heaps of fun!
I'll get round to doing the full Milsons Park drain soon with pictures and all, so keep a look out for it when it comes.
Cheers,
sydnavigator
