In search of the Aussie canals

Took just an hour to reach Melbourne. Hardly any traffic and a real pleasure to drive on the highway. First views of the Melbourne skyline from Pipemakers Park.

So we found them, all four of the Melbourne canals. The first was easy as it was situated right by the Maribyrnong River in the Pipemakers park. This from WiKI

Maribyrnong Explosives Magazine Canal

The Marbyrnong Explosives Magazine Canal was constructed in 1875-76 and opened in 1878, as part of the large Victorian government explosives reserve, known as Jacks magazine The magazine was intended for bonded storage of all gunpowder coming into the colony, and was used for both military and industry, in particular the growing hard rock mining industry. Barges transferred explosives from ships in Hobsons Bay up the Maribyrnong River and into the 400m long canal then, offload at the canal dock just outside the magazine walls. A tramway also ran along the length of the canal, with another section going from the loading dock into the magazine proper.

The next was not that easy to find. A road closure scuppered the sat navs directions so we had to continued on blind (so to speak). Finding a 3hour parking bay by the docks we thought we may as well try to walk to where we thought it was and what should we find... we had somehow got within several yards of it. This from WiKi again

Coal Canal, West Melbourne

The Coal Canal was constructed in the 1870s and 80s, initially as part of the drainage works for reclaiming the West Melbourne Swamp and was enlarged to allow coal barges to unload imported coal for the North Melbourne Locomotive Depot.

 ^{With us being parked in a three-hour zone we thought we may as well explore the area. We came across the Melbourne Star, a Ferris wheel overlooking the city. For $35 each, we had a 30-minute "flight" to see the sights. Amazing views and another 'more by luck than judgement moment' when Ian spied the Coode canal in the distance.}

Coode Canal

That's the Coal canal

 Coode Canal

The Coode canal was constructed in 1886-92, to designs for Sir John Coode by the Melbourne Harbour Trust to shorten and straighten the route up the Yarra River to Melbourne's docks


Elwood Canal
 The Elwood Canal was built in stages as part of a grandiose scheme by the Public Works Department to reclaim the South Swamp, a ubiquitous feature in Elwood in its earliest phases of post-contact settlement. Following the alignment of Elster Creek, the canal was intended to drain the marshy land east of St Kilda Street. Originally, the canal was designed to carry only flood water, with a large pipeline to each side to carry the stream at all other times. Construction commenced in May 1889, with the contractors, Messrs Hendon, Clarke & Anderson, engaging sixty workmen at a cost of £14,000.

And seen in and by the Elwood canal