Grew up about 100m from here in the 60's and 70's. We used to roam the area freely and had our own access to these tunnels. The hillside was mature woodland until the 60's, 'the forest', complete with abandoned homestead and pavillion etc, and the Cracroft-Wilson ruin (restored in the 90's?). Theres a wee bit more than was shown here, the complex is massive! Sincerely, thanks for the memories Geoff.
Is some nice places to explore and other Cracroft sites i been to most but not the home the tunnel went up to., Full explore: th-cam.com/video/ISe6A2tqv1M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MD7bljtlzXkgc9oM
Mate, I grew up in Cashmere in the 60's and 70's too, we were all keen to get in there, we once found an air vent in someones garden in Hackthorne Road and lifted the lid with a car jack, unfortunately the shaft was probably 100 metres deep and our rope was only 30 metres :-)
For your next misson guys, hit the WWII Tunnels that are just to the north of the Port. In the 90s you could break into them from near the road (but this road is inside the port fences now as they made a new road) The Tunnels are like 100M long and 30M high with lots of sub tunnels off to the sides. We went in, in 1995 and took 4 torches to look about. 2 torches failed so we got the hell out there but it was super awesome
@@lukevoigt9238 Fuel Tunnel is what he's talking about, Luckily had the chance there used to be ropes down a 85 degree 8 meter absail down was so sketch off summit rd but now guarded with port security with fences
So interesting, I always wanted to see inside these. But never could find anything. Amazing video, documenting for those that will never be able to see it :)
Reminds me of the Albert Park tunnels in Auckland- dug as wartime shelter, then backfilled with clay bricks and abandoned. There is also a short tunnel network in the cliffs of Bastion Point, accessible from a concrete stairway on Tamaki Drive, but the major part of the tunnels is sealed off and locked under the Savage Memorial.
Theres hundreds of accessible tunnels in Auckland, old lava tunnels mostly, lots down drain puts in the side of the road, theres old maps of them do some digging around and you’ll find them
Awesome! I had no idea that these tunnels existed - thanks for posting! I had heard about the ones in North Head (Auckland) but these ones were amazing! I wonder if there are any others waiting to be explored? Dunedin maybe?
Very interesting that this exists in NZ. Obviously used for much later experiments than in WW2. Why do you know / think that this tunnel was dug for WW2?
These were to be the southern command HQ in case Japan invaded NZ. The plan was that they assumed Japan would control the North Island but the South Island would not. I recall from a The Press story about these in the 70s. Apparently around the time of Midwsy it became clear that NZ was sade and construction stopped. Old newspapers found confirmed when the workers stopped building. Archives NZ has the plans. And it's not so secret anymore.
Thats precisely it - there is massive piles of rockfall and cracks to the portal tunnel that he has edited out. This is a very dangerous video to be putting out in public as it gives the perception the (locked and signposted) cavern is safe
I have all ways wanted to see in there> the used to be un old stairwell spiralling to an Destroyed house. They also ran gyro laser science there before the quake. Gobsmacked th-cam.com/video/SyC-w_k9p3g/w-d-xo.html
The Cracroft Wilson ruin did indeed have a spiral staircase, dont know if included in the retoration. The 'Mansion' was further up Worsleys Rd in amongst the mature trees, substantial grounds and outbuildings, abandoned by the '70's.
Grew up about 100m from here in the 60's and 70's. We used to roam the area freely and had our own access to these tunnels. The hillside was mature woodland until the 60's, 'the forest', complete with abandoned homestead and pavillion etc, and the Cracroft-Wilson ruin (restored in the 90's?). Theres a wee bit more than was shown here, the complex is massive!
Sincerely, thanks for the memories Geoff.
Is some nice places to explore and other Cracroft sites i been to most but not the home the tunnel went up to., Full explore: th-cam.com/video/ISe6A2tqv1M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MD7bljtlzXkgc9oM
Mate, I grew up in Cashmere in the 60's and 70's too, we were all keen to get in there, we once found an air vent in someones garden in Hackthorne Road and lifted the lid with a car jack, unfortunately the shaft was probably 100 metres deep and our rope was only 30 metres :-)
@@geoffmackley did you lads ever go for a swim in the nurse's pool?
@@geoffmackley : As I heard it, Dave went down the rope first... nobody's heard of him since! 😜
For your next misson guys, hit the WWII Tunnels that are just to the north of the Port. In the 90s you could break into them from near the road (but this road is inside the port fences now as they made a new road) The Tunnels are like 100M long and 30M high with lots of sub tunnels off to the sides. We went in, in 1995 and took 4 torches to look about. 2 torches failed so we got the hell out there but it was super awesome
rough idea on coordinates for the entrance you found for this? im keen for a look
Is that off the side road where it has the construction gate?
@@lukevoigt9238 Fuel Tunnel is what he's talking about, Luckily had the chance there used to be ropes down a 85 degree 8 meter absail down was so sketch off summit rd but now guarded with port security with fences
So interesting, I always wanted to see inside these. But never could find anything. Amazing video, documenting for those that will never be able to see it :)
Reminds me of the Albert Park tunnels in Auckland- dug as wartime shelter, then backfilled with clay bricks and abandoned. There is also a short tunnel network in the cliffs of Bastion Point, accessible from a concrete stairway on Tamaki Drive, but the major part of the tunnels is sealed off and locked under the Savage Memorial.
Wasn’t there talk at one stage to reopen the tunnels for walk/bike access?
Theres hundreds of accessible tunnels in Auckland, old lava tunnels mostly, lots down drain puts in the side of the road, theres old maps of them do some digging around and you’ll find them
@@jameslay7437Yup, was primarily one man's crusade over the last 10-15 years, but his latest attempt was shut down by Auckland Council
Great Video Geoff, I had no idea these tunnels existed and I grew up in canterbury thanks for sharing
Thanks for posting. I had a friend who did work on the lazer project in the 90's?. Never got a chance to look inside.
Very impressive
What Lazer project? Sounds very interesting, do you know what this was for, the application of the lazers?
Wow I have never known about this this is really interesting to see
Awesome! I had no idea that these tunnels existed - thanks for posting!
I had heard about the ones in North Head (Auckland) but these ones were amazing!
I wonder if there are any others waiting to be explored? Dunedin maybe?
wow...WW2? never konw this tunnel...good video thx mate
Cool place and explore. :)
WoW this would so wonderful if it could opened to the people of Otautahi Christchurch once in a while Thanks for sharing 🥰
I've heard about these but I was sceptical now I'm not
Anyone have any documented info on what they were actually doing here?
Very interesting that this exists in NZ. Obviously used for much later experiments than in WW2. Why do you know / think that this tunnel was dug for WW2?
These were to be the southern command HQ in case Japan invaded NZ. The plan was that they assumed Japan would control the North Island but the South Island would not.
I recall from a The Press story about these in the 70s. Apparently around the time of Midwsy it became clear that NZ was sade and construction stopped. Old newspapers found confirmed when the workers stopped building.
Archives NZ has the plans.
And it's not so secret anymore.
@@gregnikoloff5488 Ah, I forgot about the Japanese. This wasn't on my screen, but that made sense. Thank you for clarifying 👍
The caverns are naturally occurring I think. They just got extended and more tunnels dug.
The University of Canterbury used them for testing lasers for many years..
The British fleet was going to come to Chch if uk fell to the Germans as a last resort as well
Viewer request?
The one at Godley Head, and Magazine Bay.
Take care though, if you do; a sycophantic woodsmonster maybe watching...
Godley head under construction at moment. Cameras and security.
There's a few to choose from around the bays, and plenty elsewhere up and down the coasts and in towns cities nationwide.
I have a video of both and others you have not requested.
Surprising it was not effected by the earth quakes or is there damage that has not been shown
Thats precisely it - there is massive piles of rockfall and cracks to the portal tunnel that he has edited out. This is a very dangerous video to be putting out in public as it gives the perception the (locked and signposted) cavern is safe
@@woodmonster16 you didn't watch it right through did you. At like 5 mins in you can see lots of rockfall and damaged concrete roof.
i never knew this existed i would hear people talking about these but thought at the time it was all bull shit
I have all ways wanted to see in there> the used to be un old stairwell spiralling to an Destroyed house. They also ran gyro laser science there before the quake. Gobsmacked th-cam.com/video/SyC-w_k9p3g/w-d-xo.html
The Cracroft Wilson ruin did indeed have a spiral staircase, dont know if included in the retoration. The 'Mansion' was further up Worsleys Rd in amongst the mature trees, substantial grounds and outbuildings, abandoned by the '70's.