The source of the Pipeline Track's evocative name
The Pipeline Track: II
Once St Crispins Well was connected into the system, the original timber and masonry troughs were replaced with more durable cast iron piping, following what became known as the Pipeline Track.
The final section of the Pipeline Track was constructed to link Northwest Bay River into the main trunk link at St Crispins Well.
However residents of Kingborough were denied the water they previously had access to, and argued for their rights. It took parliamentary legislation before this final connection could be completed. At first only half the water was to be diverted on a temporary basis. Permanency of the connection was granted in 1895.
The first section of a walk along the Pipeine Track begins just above the
Receiving House at the Waterworks Reserve and rises to Halls Saddle near Huon
Road. It's a steady climb in the early part of the walk, to Gentle Annie Falls
which only flows after extremely heavy rain.
Channelling, carved out of rock, formed part of the water course from the Bower to the Receiving House. The track goes onward and upward, although its gradient soon decreases. From here, the views back towards Hobart are spectacular.
A small moss-covered masonry hut marks Halls Saddle; once Chimney Pot Road is crossed, the vegetation changes. The drought-resistant white peppermint, white gum and blue gum eucalyptus are replaced by myrtle, beech and sassafras, which become more dominant in the damp sun-starved sections of the walk facing towards the south.
Two historic aqueducts are found in this next section of the walk rising to the township of Ferntree. Majestically set over fern-lined gullies these water-carrying bridges were added to the system in 1881. They replaced an original wood and masonary water crossing, the remains of which can be found on a track just to the right of the aqueduct. The track snakes through thick damp rainforest to a clearing dominated by two 20m masonry pylons which support a wooden trough and walkway across Longhill Creek.
Remnants of masonry troughs are evident along most of this section of track and are in extremely good condition considering they have been in place for more than a century.
One of the survivors of the 1967 bush fires that ravaged this area is St Raphaels Anglican Church, set peacefully in gardens of azaleas and rhododendrons on Huon Road.
Nearby Ferntree is a good starting point for any of the other walking tracks that crisscross Mount Wellington. This section of the PiPepline Track is very popular with walkers as it has a very gentle gradient, with spectacular views of the Derwent River, Storm Bay and Bruny Island to the south.
Further on, a turn to the right leads to Silver Falls, nestled among large manferns. The climb to the falls is steep, but well worth it.
The Wishing Well on Fork Creek is a fine example of how the waters of the creek were and still are channelled into the main trunk line diverting water to the Bower.
Pushing on, emerald green mosses and dense stands of the manferns become more common. The track from this point until it meets the Northwest Bay River is popular with cyclists, as well as bushwalkers of all ages. Cathedral Rock, 920m high, can be seen towering above the river valley below.
It's cooler in these more shaded areas, very evident at St Crispins Well. The turnoff to the well is not signposted, but a galvanised shelter marks the starting point of a track leading up to a glade where the water flow is deviated. Much of St Crispins Well has been carved from solid sandstone, and chisel marks are still evident.
Back on the main track it is not long before a large area of landslip is crossed. The small footbridge across the Northwest Bay River leads to the weir from which water is piped, while a rough track on the right hand side of the river leads to the Wellington Falls. These falls are ideally viewed after three or four days rain, when they are at their best. ¶
