Some Australian members may have seen this post before, but I thought I'd entertain the international folk...
After surviving Melbourne's recent massive earthquake, we decided to take a look at 69er, a not often explored Australian drain, for the day.
A wet adventure with Isometric, Fitzy, Intro, Banjo and Derp.
We made our way in upstream, deciding that we'd save the outflow for our exit. The best for last if you like mud...
The manhole was easy enough to remove and numerous picnickers watched on as we went below. More difficult was shutting the lid after me. A concerned passer by watched as I struggled to slide it along the grass, suggesting I leave it off for when we might return. We would not.
-the pit from which we entered
A set of less than desirable step irons aided our descent into a chamber with a large fall. At it's top is an RCP that seemed low. It is a difficult climb.
cred. Derp
We admired the size of our entrance as we got our torches on for the explore ahead.
-flat bluestone floor was dry and good to walk on
We wondered down stream, and admired the bluestone architecture. A rare shape in Melbourne drains made from a more rare material.
cred. Derp
Soon the roof changed to a red brick arch that had presumably been capped over a section of open-air culvert.
-the chamber where the hidden tunnel above falls into 69er
We then reached a section where the drain opened up above, to reveal a tunnel that ran over us. It was large, easily explorable but access was impossible. There were a number of manholes nearby that could lead to this tunnel, but that will be for another day.
-looking upstream from the converge of the overflow tunnel.
Furthering on, we came to a split where a low red brick tunnel branched off and ran parallel for a hundred or so meters before re-joining. The overflow was dry and dusty... bad for the lungs.
-the first of 69er's infamous pits, Isometric crosses while Banjo chucks a spready
Soon the bluestone tunnel changed to a circular red brick pipe after a short fall. At it's base was a deep pool of water.
-the next of 69er's pits, a small main crossed over.
Later we reached another deep pit, there are no step irons to aid in crossing. It's either swim or perform a complex manoeuvre.
-FItzy attempts the aforementioned complex manoeuvre - cred. Derp
-another pit soon followed, with a much larger pipe running across.
From the last pit, it was a short walk to the outflow at a nearby tidal creek. We began to see many eels residing in the drain as the water level rose above our knees towards the exit.
-a poor photo of an eel
-Intro rejoices as he climbs out of the mud onto dry land
Eventually we all crawled out of the incredibly low mouth of the drain and climbed up the bank
We sat around waiting for our clothes to dry off until it was time to head home.
I took a few other artistic photos down there too...
