Sydney Tank Stream

## Overview The Tank Stream is one of the most historically significant water sources in Australia, widely regarded as the very reason Sydney was founded where it stands today. When Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet arrived in January 1788, this small freshwater stream flowing into Sydney Cove was a decisive factor in choosing the site for the new British colony. The stream ran roughly along what is now the path of Pitt Street and Bridge Street, emptying into the harbour at Circular Quay. Originally a natural creek fed by springs and rainwater, the Tank Stream earned its name from the stone tanks (reservoirs) that were carved into the sandstone along its banks in the early years of the colony to store drinking water. For the first decades of European settlement, it served as Sydney's primary water supply. However, as the colony grew, pollution from tanneries, slaughterhouses, and general waste rendered the stream unfit for drinking by the early 1800s. By the mid-19th century, the stream had been progressively enclosed in underground drains and culverts, disappearing entirely beneath the rapidly developing city. Today, the Tank Stream still flows beneath the streets of Sydney's central business district, running as a subterranean channel roughly from near the intersection of Spring Street and Pitt Street down to Circular Quay. The heritage-listed underground channel — featuring sections of beautifully crafted sandstone archways dating from the 1800s — is occasionally opened for guided tours by the City of Sydney and Sydney Water, though access is highly restricted and by special arrangement only. The GPS coordinates for this listing (near 69 Pitt Street, Sydney) mark the approximate surface location above one section of this historic underground watercourse. The Tank Stream is classified as a private or restricted site and is not a publicly accessible drinking water source. The water that still flows through the channel today is not suitable for consumption, as it collects urban stormwater runoff on its journey beneath the city. ## Directions 1. The surface location above the Tank Stream is in the heart of Sydney's CBD, near **69 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000**. 2. From **Circular Quay Station**, walk south along Pitt Street for approximately 200 metres. The listing coordinates place you near the intersection of Pitt Street and Bridge Street. 3. There is no public surface access to the stream itself. The Tank Stream runs entirely underground beneath the city streets. 4. Guided tours of the underground channel are occasionally offered by **Sydney Water** and the **City of Sydney**. Check the City of Sydney heritage events calendar or Sydney Water's website for upcoming tour dates, as they are infrequent and places fill quickly. 5. A commemorative plaque and interpretive signage can be found at street level near Bridge Street and Pitt Street, marking the historical significance of the stream. ## What to Expect Visitors to the surface location will find themselves in the bustling centre of Sydney's financial district, surrounded by modern skyscrapers. There is no visible spring or stream at street level — the Tank Stream has been entirely enclosed underground since the 19th century. However, heritage plaques and markers in the area tell the story of this remarkable watercourse. For those fortunate enough to secure a spot on one of the rare guided underground tours, the experience is extraordinary. The subterranean channel features hand-carved sandstone archways, some dating back to the 1820s, and the stream still carries water through the tunnel system before discharging into Sydney Harbour near Circular Quay. The tours typically require participants to wear protective clothing and hard hats, and involve descending through access points into the drain system. The Tank Stream is of immense cultural and historical significance — it is effectively the birthplace of modern Sydney. For the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the original inhabitants of this land, the stream and the surrounding area of Sydney Cove (known as Warrane) held deep significance long before European arrival. This is a heritage site, not a recreational spring. The water is not suitable for drinking or collection. The primary appeal is historical and archaeological, offering a rare glimpse into the origins of one of the world's great cities, hidden just metres beneath its modern streets.