Australian underground drains

Type Aerial view CountryDateStatusRating
Underground
Underground
Here ! Australia
Australia
2005-10-01Active**** Bookmark and Share


Australian underground drains - Click to enlarge!
The great stairway

The famous Australian Drains!

Rare in Europe, these drains are everywhere under the australian cities. These underground drains carry out the canalization of rain water, completely separated from sewer networks.

Many of these drains are present below each city, each one having its nickname, story and features. Different shapes, sizes, entry & exit...

They are popular meeting, expression and exploration places for the Australian Cave Clan, THE urban exploration organization. The photos shown here depict the variety of these underground canalizations.

Explored drains:

City
Name
Comment
Sydney Swoo A strong slope gave this drain its name. When you slip, Swoooooo!
Sydney Drainstation A Train Station can be seen from this drain
Adelaide Adelaide Darkie Adelaide's classic
Adelaide Zorga's Tomb Zorga's fiund
Adelaide Saint Peter's Twins Twin tunnels
Adelaide Eli's Tomb In the country, this drain is shaped in natural rocks.
Melbourne The 10th Huge cavity. This drain was the tenth found below Melbourne
Melbourne The Great Stairway A long stairway with mini waterfalls.
Melbourne ANZAC THE meeting place under Melbourne
Melbourne The Maze Complex and large drain
Melbourne The Slide Slippy slopes!
Melbourne G.O.D. Great Oversized Darkie!

Thanks to my Cave Clan underground guides from Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide: Doug, Curly, Eli, Al, Rogue, Drac... Big big thanks to you guys and... Go In Drains ! ! !





There are 53 comments
Doug
August 03, 2010 - 03:20
-

I didn't have the time to look yesterday - but I kind of thought I had been helpful to SgtDan so I had a look at my post that I made to him on UER (below).

Maybe he's getting me mixed up?

I'm not that silly that I can't see that SgtDan isn't fishing for some flaming (he loves chucking in his anti-Clan line - it's obvious there's more to it), but I suppose the point is that there has been a hundred SgtDan's aprove on the scene.

I reply to the SgtDan's depsite others pleading for them to be ignored... probably because I'm a co-founder of the Clan and probably because it's a hobby.

I really don't need to stick up for the Clan nowadays because so many known explorers around the world have had good experiences with the Clan that it speaks for itself. Maybe SgtDan wants to be another rebel. Good luck to him.

Slyv, please feel free to delete my posts from here as it's a bit rude to hijack your comments section.

Cheers,

Doug.

Posted by SeargentDan in reply to a message from Hatsumi.

That's okay mate. I was getting fed up with waiting anyway. I'm sure there are others in Sydney that explore things. I really don't have an issue with who I explore. But I do have an issue with waiting ages for a reply, and then replies like this.
You guys come across a bit over rated.

Posted by Dougo in reply to above
You could try URBX (PM Stud69) as I think they had something like 50 Sydney members that explore nearly each and every day and night of the week.

Panic's site is back up and has a forums (urbanadventure.org) that will soon be bigger than UER! He really seems to have got it all happening this time.

They are the main two that I can think of that would suit you right down to the ground... or under it for that matter... ho ho ho, hilarious

Good luck.

Cheers,

Doug

Doug
August 02, 2010 - 06:26
-

Sorry Dan, I wasn't replying to you.

I bother because I care

The same way that people can say whatever they like about drains, the Cave Clan or whatever, I can also give information that many people don't know about from a different angle (most people in the Clan agree with you and ignore online crap).

Would it be too obvious for me to ask you the same question... why bother (replying to my post)?

Seargent Dan
August 01, 2010 - 12:26
Why bother?

If you don't care who explores, then why bother posting big replies here to protect the Cave Clan reputation? Why bother? It's all Internet shit anyway. The typing of so many fools, just piss in the wind. Who cares what we do in the drains? Who cares what you do in the drains? If you don't care, then don't reply. But seriously, I've seen only a few posts from you, and they're all replies to people like me who want to be independant saying stuff like we can;t do that and the Cave Clan is better. It does not lend to your reputation mate. It just makes ou come across as a control freak.

Who gives a shit who is better? We're all just doing our own little thing and getting out and having fun. This is not a pissing contest.

July 27, 2010 - 12:54
Tim says...

Tim says... "The Cave Clan are not the original drain explorers.. Hundreds (if not thousands) of others have done so before them..."

And? What's your point or are you just stating the obvious? There were dudes exploring under Paris before Australia had even been settled by the Poms.

Cave Clan were the first group to move beyond it's local area, to statewide, to national, to international, but we were no way the first. Ha, we even collected information about old groups in Australia such as The Drainiacs and Alf Saddlier plus the many dozens of groups that used to hang out around their local drains.

Timmy also says... "Urb ex/draining is for everyone, don't get caught up in their petty wanna be elitist crap"

I think you are making an incorrect presumption there Tim - We don't care who explores drains - we just care who explores within the Clan. We also try and protect the locations we explore for as long as possible. It's a fact that has been proven hundreds of times (and thousands around the world) that once a good secret topside location gets "discovered" that it quickly gets ruined (Melb Power Station was abandoned for more than 10 years before it was "discovered" - it took a few years until graffers, vandals and junkie squatters (and some explorers)ruined the place.

It's easy to sit back and pay out on the Clan (especially when you can hide behind the Internet , but unless you're in the situation where there are 100s of people exploring in your group it's hard to compare the difference to just checking out drains with a few friends.

Nice site by the way Slyv, let me know if you ever plan on coming back - I have a few more good places for you since you were last here

Cheers,

Doug

Panic at the Disco
July 16, 2010 - 10:43
Panic at the Disco

Yes, it is I, Panic, and my horde of imaginary friends. I have come to give you and your imaginary friends a hard time. Ahh, but that would make me and us iaginary enemies wouldn't it. Beware drain legends for Panic and his imaginary friends will make you Panic in the drains.

Doug
July 16, 2010 - 07:00
Panic's back!

Hahaha, good stuff. Panic is back with his group of imaginary friends to save the day.

Things will be more fun now.

Go down drains!

Doug

Loki
July 16, 2010 - 04:35
Dear Dan,

It's the middle of winter so no new explorers expos are being held at the moment.

Regardless, the Cave Clan is just a bunch of people with lives and obligations, we don't sit around all day waiting for emails to come in. You'll get an email eventually, maybe, with an attitude like that you might just been thrown on the 'not worth it' pile.

I highly recommend everyone with an interest in exploring consider joining the Clan, you get to see and do some amazing things, but patience is a virtue, if you wait it out, weeks, maybe even months, you WILL get the chance to come along to something.

Kindest Regards,

-Loki

P.S. GFPMD

Wombat
July 16, 2010 - 01:45
Found an old 1995 drain location sheet

I googled some old drains names and found an old 1995 drain location sheet from the Cave Clan. www.starbacks.ca/Baja/2019/location.html

Seargent Dan
July 15, 2010 - 00:15
Would the Cave Clan answer their email

Well Beanz sure the Cave Clan may be the legends of the underground, but they can't answer their email for shit. My girl friend and I plus my mate have been trying to get in touch with the Sydney branch for over a month. We got a half hearted reply then nothing. Pull your finger out! We'd rather explore with experienced people so we don't end up trapped in Lurline Bay but really, you guys are effing hopeless. A MONTH and you're too slack to reply to three additional emails.

i mean get with the groove, go with the younger generation. Maybe you guys are all too old and grey to keep up with the needs of a newer generation of drain explorers. I geuss what I'm trying to say is, we don't need you any more, and you are no longer the legends you claim to be. Either be legends and step up to the plate, or be the bogus you come across as and treat new people like shit like you have been doing.

Seargent Dan
July 15, 2010 - 00:07
Another great find

This page tells how to locate and find drains www.urbex.org

Seargent Dan
July 14, 2010 - 23:59
Found a cool Google Earth file of drain locations

Hi all.
I found a cool Google Earth file of drain locations. It looks to be 2 years old but it is still good. bbs.keyhole.com
And you can view it on Google Maps
maps.google.com

jasonnnnnn – adelaide
July 09, 2010 - 12:59
directions?

i was wondering if someone would be able to give me exact directions on where or how to get to the entrance of one of these tunnels? please email me if you know c: telephone030795@hotmail.com

Tim
July 08, 2010 - 05:31
-

The Cave Clan are not the original drain explorers.. Hundreds (if not thousands) of others have done so before them..
Urb ex/draining is for everyone, don't get caught up in their petty wanna be elitist crap

isabella
April 24, 2010 - 05:35
-

Does anyone know locations in Melbourne? Any details are greatly appreciated.

Smalls – Sydney
March 06, 2010 - 22:56
-

Hi guys. where abouts is the entrance to the drainstation in sydney?
Cheers

James BUEG (Balwyn Urban Explorer Group)
December 15, 2009 - 23:21
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yeah, true that...

having said that, cave clan are much better than us, so go with them

beanz – melbs
December 15, 2009 - 06:57
Cave Clan

Before you run off with random loons from the internet and join their crappy groups, take a minute to learn more about the true original legends of draining and exploring in Australia, the Cave Clan...

james BUEG (Balwyn Urban Explorer Group) – melbourne, Balwyn
December 10, 2009 - 08:07
photos

jaimie nicole, email me if your intrested
james.a.buckle@hotmail.com

james BUEG (Balwyn Urban Explorer Group) – Melbourne, Balwyn
November 22, 2009 - 02:49
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yo jesse hook me with piccys if you have them
james.a.buckle@hotmail.com.
Alternitivly, is anyone intrested in a bash in the Deathstar?

Disco – Syd
November 18, 2009 - 04:24
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have been to Hercules pillars, is there anything in Gobbledox?

is there a abandoned part of NSST in willoughby?

urbxplorer
November 17, 2009 - 05:47
drain locations

I dont think its a smart idea to give out exact information on drain locations. I do know of the drains that are mentioned below and found them on my own. But anybody under 18 who reads this is now going to know as well. As for urbanadventure.org it is an excellent site when it was readily available, I've just signed up so I can access it again, cause I thought it was gone for good.

jesse
October 01, 2009 - 15:57
-

hey
i found this very intresting area that youd might wanna look at. its this huge basin right next to a pumping station and there a whole heap of drains there its madd as and i can send you photos of it

Panic! – In them drains
September 22, 2009 - 02:39
Drain maps and locations

Ahh, so that's why I am getting so many sign ups from this site. Yep, indeed UrbanAdventurte.org has LOTS of photos from drains. And yes it also does have a Google Earth file of drains all over Australia. But the site is not just for any air head who would wander down a drain and get themselves drowned. Urban Exploraation is dangerous folks. I've compiled a small Google Earh file showing the names dates and locations where Urban Explorers have died and I have 15 already. Don't think it can't happen to you. Always check the weather forcast before going into drains. Never trust wooden, rusted, or burnt floors in buildings. Always treat wires like they are live. ALWAYS tell a RESPONSIBLE person where you are going, when you expect to be back, and when to send an emergency team to search. If you change your plans, let tthat person know.

I'm not saying don't have an adventure, but there are risks, and you need to know about them. Do your research.

Jaimie Nicole – Melbourne
September 13, 2009 - 11:45
Photographing Inside the Drains - Melbourne.

Hey there.
I only just discovered this website when a friend told me about the drains.
I'm a photography student, and really interested in the different drain locations + how to go about getting inside.
I'm from Bentleigh, and wondering where some of the easiest access areas to the drains are.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Firey
September 02, 2009 - 16:43
RE: Jahanara - Melbourne

Lol, you might want to wait for the weather to clear up a bit more before heading down there.

Jahanara – Melbourne
September 02, 2009 - 15:52
-

The caveclan website is down. How can I get in contact with this group? I really really want to start exploring the storm drains in Melbourne

james BUEG (Balwyn Urban Explorer Group) – Melbourne, Balwyn
August 27, 2009 - 12:26
help for you, help for me

heya guys
just a quick one
anyone know the drain near doncaster park and ride?
if not, you do now!!!!

need help getting to The Maze, ANZAC and The Great Stairway

TDHM – Melbourne
July 18, 2009 - 11:22
There's more to Australian Draining than the Cave Clan.

I used to frequent the urbanadventure web site. It is still around but you have to sign up to be a member. See www.urbanadventure.org.
They have lots of drain pictures, maps and best of all, an up to date Google Earth file of drains and tunnels all around the world.

jackk – camberwell
June 28, 2009 - 06:03
-

yeh man i have heaps of fotos of camberwell. here you are www.flickr.com

Jared – Melbourne
April 24, 2009 - 09:21
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has anyone got any pics of the camberwell drains?

im interseted in meeting up and going exploring in Melb sometime

saul
March 22, 2009 - 14:15
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any one from brisbane looking to go exploring sometime soon? newbie looking to get out and about and get started, meet people ect?

jack – camberwelll
March 01, 2009 - 06:35
waterfall . the maze

hey i went into the maze today and enterd the small red brick drain that devides off from the open part, is there anything of note in that drain if i were to go deeper( i got up to the blustone chamer area) also how far do you maze to go to get to the waterfall?

jack – CAMerwelllllll
February 21, 2009 - 02:18
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alex is gay lol

Alex – Surrey hills, Melbourne
February 18, 2009 - 10:08
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Hey does anyone know any websites or librarys with blueprints to the entire drain network underneath Melbourne?

Mudge – Adelaide
February 11, 2009 - 14:48
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Hey firey, im from Adelaide and looking for some peeps to go exploring with, both because i could use a partner and i dont really know where to go either, let me know if ya interested on mudg0038@live.com

jack – camberwell
February 10, 2009 - 06:10
sloths

hi i actually live like 50m away from sloths drain's at the cornel street side, and apparently the drain labeled great stairwell is actually sloths. how far do you have to go to get to the stairs.

Tim – melbourne
February 08, 2009 - 02:36
the great stairway

does anyody know where the great stairway leads too? some frineds and i yesterday walked through it, entering behind dennisons dry cleaners on camberwell road, and walked up the stairs, does anybody know where it ends and comes out? and how long it takes to walk the whole thing, if anybody has actually done it, and is there any exits along the way without having to go back the whole way? every ladder we climbed lead to a concreted down cap that was impossible to push up

Didz – Cave Clan
January 14, 2009 - 15:56
Guest books

Yes St Peters Twins has a guest book like Adelaide Darkie.

Firey – Adelaide
January 12, 2009 - 02:01
RE: adelaide guestbook

The Adelaide guestbook is in the Adelaide Darkie... i didn't see one in the St. Peter's Twins >.>

cactusmelba – Hull, England
January 12, 2009 - 01:03
adelaide guestbook

hi folks, is the adelaide guest book still there in St Peter's twins?
visiting in Feb 09, I'd love to be able to add to it!

Tim – Melbourne
December 23, 2008 - 11:00
the great stairway

today some friends and i went exploring to the great stairway which is very close to my house, we got to the bit where you end up under the pond in the park, and you can either go left or right, we chose right and walked for a ages,but didnt see the stairs, where we supposed to go left or just walk longer?

jack – MELBOURNE
December 09, 2008 - 10:57
-

to get to the camberwell drains you can take the 75 tram and then get off at the stop where you see fordham park and a toyota shop,
its behind the toyota shop

Didz – Australia
October 19, 2008 - 12:06
Cave Clan

To contact Cave Clan go to their site (link in further up this page) and check out the contact page for details of your local area.

bas – melbourne
October 01, 2008 - 12:48
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anyone know how to become part of cave clan and would liek to know locations of these drains not just the names

kc – Brisbane
September 30, 2008 - 15:45
Any brissy drainers out there?

Me and my mate ar planning to go for our first exploration in the birk... just wondering if there are any brisbane people out there?

Roo-kie – Melbourne
September 29, 2008 - 06:21
-

By the looks of it, the photo displayed isn't Great Stairway, but the smaller stairway in Sloth's drain. Which is part of the same system, just further around the corner along the creek.

There's four really quality drains in Camberwell, you just have to find them.

Firey – Adelaide
August 21, 2008 - 16:35
Adelaide Darkie

Hey Guys,
I was wondering if anyone knew of any accessable entrances to the Adelaide Darkie?

Thanks,
Firey

Muskavate – melbs
July 26, 2008 - 08:52
Cave Clan

The Cave Clan of Melbourne closely guards the locations of these drains. Requiring your own adventuring spirit to get you there, or by having a tour with them. Look up Cave clan in the Google Earth Community and you will see what I mean about gaurding locations.
I would love to get to these locations, as I believe that with the right lighting and cameras, I could get some amazing work done.
However I am a little intimidated by the "Cave Clan" as they haven't seemed to embrace the internets as much as I would have thought. And from the stories I have read recently, it has heavy ties to squatters, which just freaks me out.

Max
July 14, 2008 - 12:53
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yeah locations maps would be appreciated

Goreo
March 06, 2008 - 07:23
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Can you post links to the location of these drains on google maps

WEEN222 – melbourne
November 23, 2007 - 03:26
Photo of Great stairway!!!

Hey bro.. I dont mean to be a shit, but that photo labeled "The great stairway"
It looks a hell of a lot like the entrance to GOD.
The stairs in great stairway are much larger and not set in a RCP.
Just thought I'd let you know..
cacth!

Slyv @ forbidden - Places . be
May 26, 2005 - 18:37
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Try to get in touch with the Melbourne Cave Clan?

Daniel
May 26, 2005 - 15:17
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Hi i was reading this article and found it quite interesting, could any readers or explorers please point me in the direction of where these underground tunnels are, where exactly under melbourne they are, i really need to know, coz me and a couple of mates are thinking of doing some explorations here..., i have some pictures of werribee since thats in the west of melbourne towards of geelong, email me if u want them, thanx in advance for any help.