Australian Water Association | 60 Years

Sydney’s Tank Stream tour

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Australia's oldest piece of European water infrastructure is still in service as a stormwater drain – and in demand as a tourist attraction.

The  Tank Stream  was built by First Fleet convicts and sits below what is now Sydney's CBD, running from Hyde Park and under Pitt St before flowing into Circular Quay.

“It hasn't been modified or changed because it's still very, very effective in getting water away from the city,” said Sydney Water Education and Community Partnerships Officer Louise Roberts.

The stream itself is a big part of why Sydney is where it is today, Roberts said.

“When Captain Arthur Phillip was deciding where to set up the first colonies he was looking for three things: a deep harbour so ships could come in close, arable land for farming and a good supply of fresh clean water,” Roberts said.

“He saw the stream and said it was the finest spring of water and decided that was where the settlement would be.”

But Phillip soon learned Australian streams did not run like European streams.

“When he arrived it was one of those very wet summers, so the water looked as though it was strong-flowing and consistent,” Roberts said.

“Then of course Sydney went into a drought – as Sydney does every five to 10 years – and they decided they'd better capture some of the water so they dug holes into the sandstone bedrock and created tanks to store the water.”

As part of  Ozwater'17 , Sydney Water will be offering tours of the site, which serves as a physical timeline of Australia's water infrastructure development.

“You go down into the 1960s concrete culvert build, then into a stone archway section built by stonemasons in the 1850s,” Roberts said.

“You get to see the sandstone floor that's been chipped by convicts to shape it so there's a better flow of water and some interesting engineering solutions. There's original expansion chambers and pipes that project water at a certain direction so that it doesn't cause any erosion to the sandstone.

“Then there's an 1870s oviform brickwork sewer that actually was designed in the United Kingdom, but we actually built the ones in Sydney before they built them in London.”

Sydney Living Museums is also running tours available to the public, but tickets are hard to come by, Roberts said. On average, 5500 people enter the annual ballot for only 160 tour places.

“A lot of people want to come because it's like a secret, hidden part of Sydney – it's something that you walk over the top of and you have no idea it's under your feet,” she said.

But for the industry, the Tank Stream means much more.

“It's really important to us [at Sydney Water] because its growth and development represents everything that we do for Sydney,” Roberts said.

“It was a drinking water supply and we've learned from the mistakes of the past and how to manage water better so we get safe and consistent supplies.

“Then it became a sewerage system and we've learned from that how to better manage hygiene and protect public health.

“And now it's part of our stormwater assets and is really important for flood mitigation in urban areas.”

Take a closer look at the Ozwater’17 program  here .

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The Tank Stream: A historical walk along Sydney's first water supply

As you descend a ladder two metres below Sydney's CBD, the bustle and noise of traffic dulls to the sounds of running water and the woosh of air being pumped underground.

The Tank Stream — which was opened on the weekend for a handful of lucky ticket holders, is the site of Sydney's first water supply.

People explore Sydney's Tank Stream

Convict markings remain in the damp sandstone, while broken pieces of concrete reveal the original brickwork of the covered drain dating back to the 1800s.

A vital water source

Before European settlement, it was the source of fresh water for the Gadigal people.

The open stream ran from a swamp in Hyde Park, down through waterfalls across Bridge Street then out to Sydney Harbour.

It was discovered by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788 and the running water was the reason he chose to establish a new colony at Bennelong Point.

The stream ceased to be a drinking source prior to 1828 and instead became one of disease due to farming practices and infrastructure works.

Sydney Water worker carries lamps inside the Tank Stream

In 1858, a stone culvert was built over it and the tank stream was slowly hidden beneath the growing city.

It remains today, an active stormwater channel.

Entry into the Tank Stream is in Curtin Place, where it runs all the way to Circular Quay and up to Market Street.

'An important moment' in history

The stream physically divided Sydney's early class system.

The eastern side of the stream comprising of Macquarie Street, Pitt Street and Government House represented the "aristocratic" part of history.

The Rocks and Miller's Point was the "working class" side of the stream and where convicts once camped.

Two people take photos inside the Tank Stream

"[The Tank Stream] touches that historical imagination in people," said Sydney Water's heritage advisor Phil Bennett, who led tours for Sydney Open 2016 over the weekend.

"The idea of the Tank Stream is so strong ... it's such an important moment."

'Tranquil' place in the middle of the city

Mr Bennett spent most of the weekend crouched down in the channel that measures just over 1-metre tall.

While he has spent 12 years leading tours, he still found the trip down "exciting".

"I like it. It's quite tranquil in the middle of the city," he said.

Sydney Water runs ticketed tours of the Tank Stream about seven times a year.

A tour group explores the Sydney tank stream

Trips are rare and are dependant on the weather, with gas levels constantly monitored and oxygen pumped into the channel prior to tours.

On Saturday, a broken main caused water to gush into the drain though it quickly spread into a thin stream.

"Sometimes you can get nasty stuff coming down there like trade waste or someone's dumped all their washing-up into the drain," Mr Bennett said.

"But today was good; it was nice and clean."

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Tank Stream Sydney

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Stone artefacts from the Angel Place site on the banks of the Tank Stream. The artefacts measure several centimetres long (image courtesy GML Heritage and AMP Investments)

tank stream tours sydney cbd

Frederick Garling’s 1842 watercolour shows the Tank Stream, emptying to Sydney Cove (image courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW - ML 420)

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Author: Paul Irish and Tamika Goward

Central Sydney is built in the Tank Stream valley. The Tank Stream now runs underneath the city, but its fresh water was one of the main reasons why Europeans set up camp in Sydney Cove in 1788. The stream drained swampy areas that existed around what is now Hyde Park, and flowed north into Sydney Cove (Circular Quay). If you travel west from Macquarie Street down any of Sydney’s streets you can still see how the streets dip down to where the Tank Stream flowed, before rising up again towards George Street. The Aboriginal name of the stream is not known, but it was significant to Aboriginal people as a source of drinking water and for the resources that grew along it. Some evidence of this use has survived two centuries of urban development.

The best documented Aboriginal site along the Tank Stream was found during archaeological excavations in the late 1990s, ahead of the redevelopment of Angel Place, north of Martin Place between Pitt and George Streets. Archaeologists investigating European colonial remains noticed that a small patch of soil had survived which appeared to date to before the arrival of Europeans. They excavated it and found 54 stone artefacts made from a number of different types of stone. Most of the artefacts were small (less than 2cm in size), and were the waste material from the production of stone tools. This waste material shows that Aboriginal people sat just metres from the Tank Stream and manufactured stone artefacts. A small number of stone artefacts were also found recently a little further down the Tank Stream to the north of Angel Place along George Street during the redevelopment of the Ivy Nightclub.

Aboriginal people also buried their dead along the Tank Stream. Over a century before the Angel Place campsite was discovered, workmen building additions to the nearby General Post Office in Martin Place found an Aboriginal skull in the buried banks of the Tank Stream. No other bones were found with the skull so it was thought it had washed downstream from a complete burial. It is also possible that the skull was in its original position and the rest of the grave had been disturbed or washed away over the previous century of European settlement, or through natural erosion. A hole in the skull was interpreted in the newspapers as a spear wound, but could have had a number of causes. The fate of the skull is not known, but at the time it was common for people to collect the remains of Aboriginal people or to sell them to museums or private collectors in Australia and around the world.

The sites along the Tank Stream demonstrate that even in the oldest and most heavily occupied parts of Sydney, Aboriginal evidence has survived. It is likely more discoveries will be made indicating the Aboriginal use of the Tank Stream valley through the continual redevelopment of the city centre. A small exhibition about the Tank Stream, including an excavated segment of the original brick-lined oviform drain, can be found in the basement of the General Post Office building. Enter directly under the clock tower.

Godden Mackay Logan 1998. Angel Place, Sydney. Archaeological Salvage of Site #45-6-2581, Angel Place, Sydney (Report to AMP Investments Pty Ltd).

‘ Brevities ’, Evening News 2 February 1881: 2.

AHIMS number 45-6-2796.

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Designed by Stephen Walker, this four-part bronze fountain (1981) near Circular Quay incorporates dozens of sculptures of native Australian animals; play spot-the-echidna. The fountain is dedicated to ‘all the children who have played around the Tank Stream’, which now runs beneath the city.

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Set in the heart of Sydney’s CBD on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Street, The Tank Stream Sydney is in ideal proximity to Sydney’s best dining and shopping precincts. Also within short walking distance are some of Sydney’s major tourist attractions including Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

Just minutes away from the hotel is Sydney’s light rail, Wynyard & Martin Place train station and Circular Quay Ferry Terminal, connecting guests with even more of the best attractions Sydney has to offer.

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tank stream tours sydney cbd

The Tank Stream Hotel In Sydney Review

If you’re looking for a centrally located Sydney hotel which doesn’t break the bank, look no further… The Tank Stream Hotel in Sydney offers up one of the best hotel locations in the city.

the-tank-stream-hotel-sydney

When we stayed in Sydney last weekend, we were lucky to get into Tank Stream Hotel because it looked as though the city was booked up with U2 fans. Yep, the Irish band were playing in town and finding accommodation wasn’t the easiest for us.

Here’s our Tank Stream Sydney Hotel review so you’ll know whether it’s worth staying in when you’re visiting Sydney for the first time.

Table of Contents

Where is The Tank Stream Hotel in Sydney?

The Tank Stream Hotel is all about the location and is situated in a beautiful art deco building. The best news is, it’s just a five minute walk from Circular Quay and not much further in the opposite direction to Pitt Street Mall, Sydney’s main shopping street.

Whilst our room overlooked Australia Square – one of Sydney’s main corporate meeting areas – you might get a room with a Sydney Harbour Bridge view if you’re lucky!

You’ll also have so many awesome Sydney restaurants to choose from in the area like Restaurant Hubert and Mr Wong , which are literally hop skip and jump from your hotel room.

The friendly staff

the-tank-stream-hotel-sydney

The staff are super friendly at Tank Stream Hotel. When I was on my way out, the heavens had opened and before I knew, it was pouring down with rain.

I was about to head out to meet friends I hadn’t seen for ages so I thought I’d ask reception if they had an umbrella. Turns out they had umbrellas to borrow for my entire stay which literally saved me from looking like a drowned rat.

The room at The Tank Stream Hotel in Sydney

the-tank-steam-hotel-room-sydney

Although our room wasn’t huge, it’s great value with a comfy bed and decent bathroom. We loved the blinds in the room which created a total blackout to sleep without any daylight waking us in the morning – a total godsend!

We also loved the amount of movies that had on offer that we actually spent the whole day in our room watching them because there was so much choice! To be honest I’ve not stayed in a hotel with this amount of decent free movies to watch before, it was awesome. And of course we took full advantage of the free non-alcoholic mini bar as well!

the-tank-stream-hotel-sydney

Our view outside our room overlooked Australia Square but we were staying on the eleventh floor so we had a good amount of privacy!

It also didn’t feel too loud from the room and luckily it’s not the type of place where people are partying all night long at. By 7pm ish, it’s pretty much empty as it’s more of a go and have a drink after work kinda place.

Le Petit Flot Restaurant at Tank Stream Sydney

the-tank-stream-hotel-sydney

We didn’t get chance to have dinner at Le Petit Flot restaurant (which translates into ‘The Little Stream’) located on the second floor, although we’ve heard it has a fantastic mix of French Japanese cuisine.

THE-TANK-STREAM-HOTEL-REVIEW

But we did go for breakfast though which is always our favourite thing about staying in hotels.

THE-TANK-STREAM-HOTEL-REVIEW

Here we were presented with a standard Aussie breakfast consisting of a buffet of fresh fruits, yoghurts, croissants, and a hot breakfast. There’s also a help yourself to a coffee machine and a mixture of T2’s to choose from as well.

THE-TANK-STREAM-HOTEL-REVIEW

A hidden gem in Sydney – The Tank Stream Walk

tank stream tours sydney cbd

You can actually see the stream on this map which leads from Hyde Park into Circular Quay.

If you’re from Sydney, you might have seen a few references to the tank stream. Apart from the hotel, there’s an awesome Tank Stream Bar over the road located in the aptly named Tank Stream Way.

And it’s all not called Tank Stream for nothing. Located underneath the city is an actual Tank Stream which was the the original water source for European settlers in Australia. It’s basically an underwater river which starts from Hyde Park and goes right out to Circular Quay. At Hyde Park there is still what looks to be a lake underground.

tank-stream-walk-sydney

You can explore the underground tunnels of the Tank Stream in Sydney here .

Image via: Sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

And you know what? You can actually go and explore the tunnels that lead to this lake if you’re lucky. A couple times a year you can put your name down to be in a lottery to go on one of these exclusive tours underneath the city ( find out more here ). I had heard about it before but it wasn’t until I stayed at Tank Stream Hotel where I learnt more about this awesome hidden Sydney gem.

If you don’t manage to get on one of the exclusive Tank Stream tours, and if crouching down in a tunnel in the city isn’t your thing, you can go on a self guided tour above ground.

The Tank Stream Heritage Walk is new to Sydney where you’ll be able to learn more about this fascinating stream by following the six footpath installations by the artist Lynne Roberts-Goodwin. You can find out more about this walk when you chat to the lovely staff at the reception at The Tank Stream Hotel .

We really enjoyed our stay at The Tank Stream Hotel and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. If you’re looking for a Sydney hotel, look no further, this is a great place to stay.

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Tank Stream Sydney repositions under EVT

Future rydges world square to debut in prime cbd location in mid-2024.

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Sydney’s Tank Stream Hotel in the CBD is set for a refurbishment and brand repositioning under EVT Hotels and Resorts, transitioning to Rydges Australia Square in mid-2024.

The change comes after EVT was assigned as the new operator of Tank Stream Hotel, with the hotel now under the complete guidance of EVT management.

Initially part of the Independent Collection by EVT, the property will undergo a staged refurbishment over the next 9 months, stretched out to minimise guest disruption.

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Centrally located in the heart of Sydney, directly adjacent to Australia Square, Wynyard train station and just minutes from the Sydney Opera House, the planned refurbishment will encompass guest rooms, Ground Floor and Level 1 as well as food and beverage areas.

Norman Arundel, EVT Director of Hotels and Resorts , said: “We are thrilled to be undertaking an exciting new partnership with IGB Berhad. The Tank Stream is currently the perfectly positioned Sydney CBD hotel, and when the refurbishment is complete the property will be a great addition to the Rydges portfolio of hotels and resorts.

“The Rydges brand continues to expand with this property becoming the 45th in the portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.”

Boon Lee Tan, CEO of IGB Berhad which owns the hotel, said: “We are pleased to partner with EVT in taking over the operation of the Tank Stream Hotel. We are also delighted to have a hotel under the Rydges brand by next year, which enjoys such a strong presence in Australia.”

“We believe EVT’s experience, local agility and track record of market leading results will bring significant value to the future success of the property.”

tank stream tours sydney cbd

EVT’s Rebecca Hamey has been appointed General Manager of the Tank Stream Hotel. Hamey has more than 15 years’ industry experience, most recently as General Manager of QT Bondi, and is looking forward to overseeing the renovation of the property.

“It is hard to beat the location of the hotel, and I am looking forward to working with the team to transform the property and to bring the refreshingly local service that Rydges is famous for to our guests,” Hamey said.

EVT looks forward to applying its extensive local expertise across food and beverage, conference and events, marketing, distribution and revenue services, to deliver exceptional results for IGB Berhad.

Meanwhile, QT Hotels & Resorts has appointed Chris Greening as the new General Manager of QT Bondi. Greening joins QT Bondi from the group’s vibrant, eclectic and art-centric QT Wellington. He brings with him over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, first joining EVT in 2021 as Executive Assistant Manager of QT Gold Coast. Greening has also worked across a number of luxury hotel brands including Crystalbrook Albion, Hayman Island Resort and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.

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  1. Sydney's Tank Stream tour

    Sydney's Tank Stream tour. Australia's oldest piece of European water infrastructure is still in service as a stormwater drain - and in demand as a tourist attraction. The Tank Stream was built by First Fleet convicts and sits below what is now Sydney's CBD, running from Hyde Park and under Pitt St before flowing into Circular Quay.

  2. Sydney's tank stream flowing below CBD opened to visitors

    A tour group navigates through the Tank Stream, a heritage-listed stormwater tunnel under Sydney's CBD. Credit: Louise Kennerley They have to venture down to a heritage-listed tunnel under Pitt ...

  3. Sydney Tank Stream Tour

    The Tank Stream was recognised for its state and national significance and was registered on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999. The Tour. The Tank Stream tour was established soon after and is operated by Sydney Water. On the day of the tour, you will see Sydney Water's vehicles parked on Curtin Street opposite Australia Square.

  4. The Tank Stream: A historical walk along Sydney's first water supply

    The Tank Stream — which was opened on the weekend for a handful of lucky ticket holders, is the site of Sydney's first water supply. The Tank Stream is only open for tours a few times a year ...

  5. PDF The Tank Stream

    lower CBD to the harbour, through what was once a vital water supply for the city. John Skinner Prout, The Tank Stream, Sydney, circa 1842. pencil,watercolour, opaque white highlights, 25.5 x 37.5cm ... Brenton McGeachie of AGNSW The Tank Stream runs underground from near Hyde Park to Circular Quay. A tour group inspects the Tank Stream. Sydney ...

  6. Tank Stream Tour

    The growing city eventually fully covered the tank stream, and today it acts as a working stormwater drain, carrying water from the lower CBD to a discharge outlet into Sydney Cove at Circular Quay. It was protected by a Permanent Conservation Order in 1989 and was put on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.

  7. Tank Stream Sydney

    The Tank Stream now runs underneath the city, but its fresh water was one of the main reasons why Europeans set up camp in Sydney Cove in 1788. The stream drained swampy areas that existed around what is now Hyde Park, and flowed north into Sydney Cove (Circular Quay). If you travel west from Macquarie Street down any of Sydney's streets you ...

  8. Tank Stream

    Tank Stream on a November 2008 tour. The Tank Stream is a heritage-listed former fresh water tributary of Sydney Cove and now tunnel and watercourse located in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The Tank Stream was the fresh water supply for the fledgling colony of ...

  9. Tank Stream the fascinating history underneath the streets of Sydney CBD

    The fascinating time capsule hiding beneath Sydney's CBD streets . By Mike Dalton • Reporter. 8:28pm May 10, 2018. ... The Tank Stream was the colony's first fresh water supply. (9NEWS) ...

  10. Tank Stream Fountain Sydney

    Don't miss out on the full experience: find and book tickets and tours for Tank Stream Fountain on Tripadvisor. Read reviews, check out photos, and see which tour of Tank Stream Fountain is best for you. Book your tickets online for the top things to do today!

  11. Top 10 Tunnels in Sydney

    Check Sydney Living Museums for the next tour dates and historic photographs. The Tank Stream. Before Evian's mineral water arrived in plastic bottles, our ancestors drank from a creek running through the CBD. 150 years ago, the creek was expanded via a sandstone tunnel, now used for stormwater instead of drinking water. ... The Tank Stream ...

  12. Tank Stream Fountain

    Tank Stream Fountain. Designed by Stephen Walker, this four-part bronze fountain (1981) near Circular Quay incorporates dozens of sculptures of native Australian animals; play spot-the-echidna. The fountain is dedicated to 'all the children who have played around the Tank Stream', which now runs beneath the city.

  13. Tank Stream

    Tank Stream is the hidden reason why Sydney is here and not a few kilometres further north or south. Today, however, almost nothing is even visible of Tank Stream itself. For over 40,000 years, Aboriginal people selected campsites for two good reasons: food and water. Excavations in the vicinity of the original course of the … Continued

  14. Things To Do

    Things to do in Sydney & surrounds. Set in the heart of Sydney's CBD on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Street, The Tank Stream Sydney is in ideal proximity to Sydney's best dining and shopping precincts. Also within short walking distance are some of Sydney's major tourist attractions including Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

  15. Things To Do

    Set in the heart of Sydney's CBD on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Street, The Tank Stream Sydney is in ideal proximity to Sydney's best dining and shopping precincts. Also within short walking distance are some of Sydney's major tourist attractions including Circular Quay, The Rocks and Darling Harbour. ... Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour ...

  16. Journey Walks: Sydney's Best Historical Walking Tours

    PUBLIC TOUR: EXPLORE THE CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THE ROCKS SYDNEY'S CONVICT COLONY THE INCREDIBLE STORY BEHIND SYDNEY'S ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT OF THIEVES, RUM AND RED-COATS $49 p.p — 2.5 hours — 10:30am start — Historian Guide — Over 1000 five star reviews — Small group tour (max. 14 guests)

  17. The Tank Stream Hotel In Sydney Review

    If you're looking for a Sydney hotel, The Tank Stream Hotel is an awesome place to stay, right in the heart of Sydney CBD. Listen to our podcast. Expat Tips. Expat Tips. ... If you don't manage to get on one of the exclusive Tank Stream tours, and if crouching down in a tunnel in the city isn't your thing, you can go on a self guided tour ...

  18. Tank Stream Sydney repositions under EVT

    Go back to the e-newsletter. Sydney's Tank Stream Hotel in the CBD is set for a refurbishment and brand repositioning under EVT Hotels and Resorts, transitioning to Rydges Australia Square in mid-2024. The change comes after EVT was assigned as the new operator of Tank Stream Hotel, with the hotel now under the complete guidance of EVT ...

  19. The Tank Stream Hotel

    Nestled in the heart of Sydney's Central Business District and only minutes away from some of Sydney's major tourist attractions, The Tank Stream Hotel is the ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. Within a short 5-minute walk you'll be at major shopping precincts such as Pitt Street Mall, The Strand Arcade and The Queen ...

  20. The Tank Stream Hotel

    Vibrant celebrations for every occasion. Whether you are planning an intimate meeting, pre-event cocktail function or birthday celebration, The Tank Stream Sydney is the perfect venue in Sydney CBD for your corporate or private event. Our friendly team look forward to working closely with you to create something very special.

  21. Tank Stream Bar

    Merivale Tank Stream Bar is a hidden gem in the city, offering a cosy and stylish space for parties and corporate events. Enjoy a range of drinks and snacks in a New York-style loft, or book the whole venue for a private function. Merivale Tank Stream Bar is the perfect place to unwind and celebrate in the heart of Sydney.

  22. Features & Amenities

    Features & Amenities. The Tank Stream Sydney is perfectly positioned in the heart of Sydney's CBD. Book your stay with us and enjoy access to a number of services, features and amenities. Reception. 24 hour front desk with express check-in/check-out available so you can arrive or depart in your own time. Wi-Fi.

  23. Venues & Events

    The Tank Stream Sydney is conveniently located in the heart of the CBD, minutes away from Sydney's main transport networks, Sydney Harbour, Barangaroo and Pitt Street Mall. Specialising in small to medium bespoke events, our intimate and private spaces are ideal for all day meetings, corporate lunches, private dining, cocktail functions and more.