The Pipe Walk - Hiking the Yan Yean Pipeline
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- Опубликовано: 8 дек 2020
- In the 1850s, the newly-independent colony of Victoria set out on an ambitious project to build the largest water infrastructure system in Australia: a 32 kilometre pipeline from Yan Yean Reservoir to Melbourne. This is my journey to walk its length and understand its history and stories through hidden ruins, overgrown tracks, impassable bridges and stinging nettles.
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I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this video was filmed, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. I pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging and their extensive historical connection to these places.
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My website: philipmallis.com
Route taken with points of interest: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/...
Port Phillip Pioneers Group history of the Yan Yean Pipe: portphillippioneersgroup.org....
Bob Padula on the Yan Yean Reservoir: bpadula.tripod.com/maroondahaq...
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IMAGE CREDITS
- 'Yan Yean Reservoir', State Library of Victoria (out of copyright): handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/52097
- 'Open Forest Country Near Yan Yean', ca.1858, State Library of Victoria (out of copyright): handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/29...
- 'Yan Yean flume, Plenty River', Charles Rudd, 1892-1902, State Library of Victoria (out of copyright): handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/30...
- 'Repairing the Yan Yean Aqueduct', Ebenezer and David Syme, State Library of Victoria (out of copyright): handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/25...
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MUSIC CREDITS
- www.bensound.com
This video was made in late 2020 when it was compulsory to wear a face mask in all public settings, including outdoors. This is why I am wearing a mask in this video.
Yep, Yan Yean was our first reservoir and originally a natural swampland. The Dam wall was constructed to retain the water and provide a reliable source for the new city. That cobblestone 'aqueduct' you saw at the Reservoir reserve at YY is the original spillway. Following recent heavy rainfall (feb-mar 2022), the Spillway was running and this was the first time it had done so since the 1960's.
The valves you came across along the main are air vales and scours. They are located at high points along the route and are a means for trapped air to escape automatically while keeping the water safely contained.
The bluestone structure would have been a penstock gate house - used back in the day to regulate flow or isolate the entire main for maintenance.
Preston #1 is an open Bluestone basin that was indeed decommissioned. #2 and #3 are covered concrete basins.
Fascinating, thanks for the extra information!
How interesting, thanks for the info.
Hey mate thanks for the info, the tank at 4:15 is that a mini surge tank? Or what is it I'm curious
Great video, that remains of the water mill you found was built by my GGG Grandfather, Moses Thomas. He was one of Merndas earliest pioneers in the 1850’s and responsible for building not only the Mayfield Mill (Thomas Mill), the Mayfield Presbyterian Church & the Bridge Inn Hotel…….all still standing.
That's amazing to have connections like that to local history, thanks for sharing!
Wow, amazing 👏
I am an 83 year old Australian who is resident in Sweden. I enjoyed your video. The blue thingies on the pipe that stick up are devices to catch and release trapped air, you will find them at each high spot on the pipe. Trapped air can reduce the flow of water ina pipe.
it's great to have a local historian producing content for the local area !!!
Great video mate
I worked for Melbourne Water for many years and got to visit Yan Yean Reservoir and the Wallaby Creek catchment behind it that feeds it
There’s an open aqueduct in that catchment dating back to the time Yan Yean was built From memory it was built from granite blocks just sat together no mortar I think built by convict labour at the time
It’s a work of art but all locked away within the catchment
Cheers
Great history vid, love your passion
I actually live in one of those houses in the background. Those modern valves you were pointing out are air valves. They release any air that get trapped in the pipe and are at the high points along the pipeline.
Was it also to stop destructive water hammer ?
@@davidpearn5925 Not really. If water hammer is a problem a surge vessel would be installed but we generally would opt for a pipe strength that can withstand the surge force. Air valves is more of an efficiency thing. More air that gets trapped in your pipe the less water you are moving.
Hi Phil. I have followed the aqueduct built from 1923 to 30s from the Bunyip weir in the bunyip state park to the Beaconsfield reservoir. From there it went to the frankston reservoir.
Amazing engineering. A fall of 1 foot per mile across the foothills of the great dividing range. My Dad saw it built with horses and bullocks through the bush. Worth a look.
The walk to the weir is called freemans mill walk along the aqueduct bank. Beautiful. 😊
If you decide to do any more hikes along water races or historic pipelines etc please let me know! Id love to tag along.
I'm a trained botanist and a huge history buff. Hiking is the way to see both!
Hey mate nice video. I'm a member of the Light Railways Research Society of Australia and I'm researching the horse drawn tramway that was used to partially lay the pipeline. The information you provided has been most excellent. So thanks! I have walked the pipeline myself, except I started in the city, took a tram to Preston, then walked to the reservoir.
Thanks Floyd! Love your eggs-plore and other videos
I'm pretty sure the suburb is simply pronounced Rezza! :) Thanks for the fascinating video. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Damn you've got so many cool videos!
I stumbled across that fenced-in bluestone structure in Mill Park as well, and was similarly puzzled and excited by it. Great video!
Thank you for taking us on this walk through time and greater Melbourne.
This video is so interesting, you have fimed and edited it wonderfully. I also enjoy your commentary.
Glad you enjoyed it!
you should include some drone shots of google maps screenshots to help illustrate your walk and show other features that you clearly couldnt get access to
Great video of the whole walk to Reservoir.
Fun exploration of the pipeline. I run/walk at the Yan Yean dam all the time and get there via the pipeline.
Thanks!
re the old rock fences: I recall as a junior burger just west of Sunshine and Truganina there were the same fences I was told were built by convicts.
I love your videos about Melbourne and suburbs and always read the comments they are as good as your videos
Great video
Your walk was very interesting, Philip. I often walk past these structures and do not quite understand what they are for. Thank you for your story and explanation. I've learnt a great deal, Best wishes. May you share many more adventures. Stay safe.
Nice job
The Yan Yean Reservoir was once a swamp that was teaming with birdlife. Thomas Bear, who arrived with his father (John Bear) and brothers in 1840 (Penfold Place used to be Bear's Lane, sale yards in Bourke Street), established a winery next to the swamp. He also had a number of properties around Victoria and Southern NSW, specialising in breeding sheep.
Thank you, great vid.
Great memories. I did this walk as a kid in the scouts 35 years ago.
I live opposite the Pine line track (Doreen side), and I absolutely love walking it with my kids up to Yan Yean 😊
Man you think of everything !
this has been fascinating!
Those dry stone walls are very common in western vic on the basalt plains. Many if which were constructed in the mid-late 1800s and were made from stones cleared to make pasture/cropland. Id hazzard a guess that they would have been constructed of material dug up for laying the pipeline
My apologies for my comment on the mask. I appreciate the historical walk you did. There is not enough of time given to our local history
Loved this. Triggered both my hiking and local history nerd buttons.
Is there a Google Map of the walk you did that people can possibly follow, including the random detours you had to make?
Great idea, thank you! I've put together this map with the route and points of interest: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/the-pipe-walk-route_643670
The whole length is easily walkable. Some parts don't have paths though, so bring a good pair of walking shoes. Long grass may also be an issue in summer with snakes.
From Reservoir there is two or three large pipes travel south along St Georges Rd carry water for m
Melbourne and Western suburbs.
@4.14 - This is the sewer pumping which runs under plenty river to the back of the mernda sports oval.
I had always wondered what that bluestone construction was at the corners of cheddar rd and hickford st where arum aged care is now. I knew it was something to with yan yean, but didnt realise the maroondah aqueduct met the yan yean there
As kids in Nth Fitzroy we played on a great pipe across the merri creek, next to the railway bridge, was a big woodyard on one side. was a great time
It's still there - just next to the new Koonda Lat Bridge for the Merri Creek Trail
Hi there Philip, I sometimes walk the maroodah aquaduct from where it meets the yan yean pipeline in Reservior. There is various old concrete and bluestone remnants from a by gone time - do you know when this aquaduct was built? Great Video, I'm newly a resident of Reservior and find this very interesting!😊
Thanks glad you enjoyed it! I'm actually planning to do a full video on the Maroondah system one day.
Bob Padula has some information on his website about the wider system here: bpadula.tripod.com/maroondahaqueduct/id2.html Construction started in 1886 and finished in 1891, so I'd bet some time between then! Unless of course it was a later addition
@@philipmallis Thanks for the reply Phillip!🙂
Brilliant! Thanks so much.
You're very welcome!
21kms is an excellent choice for a "there and back" training route for marathon runners.
Did you walk the other side of the Preston reservoir and follow the pipe line from there?
Just over the rail line on the other side and it goes to Murray Rd East Coburg...
I was going to but it was already a long enough day. One day I might do that part to Carlton Gardens along St Georges Road and beyond
Would have started maroondah dam.then sugarloaf dam,then Yan Yean dam down into reservoir
👍🏼
What suburbs are these and can u go through the tunnel
You can see a map of the route I took here if you're interested: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/the-pipe-walk-route_643670
I don't believe you can access the tunnel - I didn't see anything - but happy to be proven wrong!
Have you got a thing about snakes?
You need a drone, mate
Love your video but how crazy to have a mask on outside in the fresh air
Thanks Catherine! This video was filmed in late 2020 during which it was a legal requirement to wear a mask in all situations both indoors and outdoors.
@@philipmallis Yes I realized but how silly was it
We will be looking back at these videos and these people in a few years time and cringing. How much of a suck does one have to be to wear a mask in the middle of nowhere just because someone, somewhere says so. Very cringeworthy and "silly" as you put it.
Your comment actually deserved a heart.
I’ve only seen your recent posts Philip- but the 2020 mask seems a bit much as you’re filming yourself? Anyway- so glad that nonsense is all over now.
Why would you need a mask when you’re in the open
This video was filmed in late 2020 during which it was a legal requirement to wear a mask in all situations both indoors and outdoors.
You are alone, outside, wearing a mask? WTF!
We were required to at the time
Yes, I live here in Melbourne so I can confirm that it was required for all 6 extended lockouts.
Great video but I can hardly understand what you’re saying because of that mask. I don’t understand, you’re by yourself in the outdoors, why would you wear a mask when trying to narrate a video?