Imagine yourself walking down the streets of Melbourne with its vibrant laneways and bustling street life. Imagine a world hidden beneath your feet. It’s filled with secrets, stories and structures that help hold the city together. Melbourne is revealed in a new light. Read here!
Have you ever wondered what lies below those iconic tram tracks beneath the ground? It’s more than just dirt and pipes. Melbourne’s underground has a maze of tunnels and old foundations made from bluestone, as well as some hidden hideaways dating back to bygone eras. Let’s explore this underground wonderland.
Melbourne was once a hotspot for the gold rush. In the 1850s, people flocked to Melbourne with hopes of becoming rich. As they scoured the earth for gold, there was also something happening below. The miners didn’t only dig up gold nuggets, they also built a network of tunnels for transporting their discoveries in a discreet manner. These passageways are still present today, but they’re hidden beneath modern infrastructure.
Fast forward to the beginning of the 20th century, when engineers decided to build an underground rail system to relieve congestion in the streets above. It was not just an ordinary project, but a feat of engineering. Imagine being able to dig deep into the ground while trams and cars can still zip above you without any problems.
It’s not just about tunnels and trains. Have you heard of “Little Lon?” In the late 1800s, this area near Little Lonsdale Street had a reputation for slums. Archaeologists today have found fascinating artifacts dating back to this time period, right under our modern buildings. Think of bottles of old medicines or personal items from long ago.
Then there are the charming bluestone laneways, those cobbled pathways that give Melbourne its unique character. Many people don’t know that these stones are part of a complex drainage system built in the nineteenth century to stop flooding on what was once swampy land.
Have you ever been to Flinders Street Station before? Think about it next time you visit: underneath its iconic façade lies an abandoned ballroom. You read it right! A grand space that is now gathering dust was once alive with music, dance and soldiers waltzing away their worries during World War II.
Melbourne’s sewerage is a real feat, considering the amount of waste that a city in growth produces every day! The main sewer runs underground, along Elizabeth Street. (This used to be a small creek). The unsung hero keeps things clean as we go about our daily lives aboveground blissfully unaware.
What about the unsung heroes who work tirelessly beneath us? Maintenance crews regularly brave dark, confined spaces to ensure everything runs smoothly so that we can enjoy seamless service up here.
We rarely stop to think about what underlies all the urban beauty we see. Next time you enjoy Melbourne’s surface charms, remember that there is another side of history and intrigue waiting to be discovered just beneath your feet.
Next time someone talks about Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene, don’t forget to mention its incredible underbelly. It might surprise them at how much is hidden but plays a crucial role in shaping the beloved city that it is today.
You never know, one day your children may join you in exploring the mysterious depths of “Melbs” themselves with a newfound understanding.