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Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2025
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Offsite technical tours will be offered on Friday 14 November 2025. Registrations to the tours are an additional cost and will open soon.



Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours


Step beneath the surface of Fremantle and journey back in time with a captivating guided tour through two of the city's most iconic underground landmarks: Fremantle Prison Tunnels and the historic Whalers Tunnel.


Begin your adventure beneath Fremantle Prison, where an intricate labyrinth of tunnels, hand-dug in the 19th century, once served as a vital water supply system. Today, these eerie subterranean passages reveal the hidden history of the prisoners who built them and the city they helped shape. Expert guides will lead you through this atmospheric maze, sharing stories of hardship, resilience and innovation.


Continue your experience with a walk through Whalers Tunnel, constructed in 1837 beneath Fremantle's Round House. Originally built to link the town to the coast for whaling operations, this tunnel now offers a fascinating passage through Fremantle’s rich maritime heritage.


After the tour, enjoy the opportunity to explore Fremantle at your own pace with a self-guided walk through the vibrant port town, filled with historic architecture, lively cafes and cultural landmarks.


Important tour requirements:

  • The tour is physically demanding and not suitable for expectant mothers, those recovering from medical procedures or individuals with claustrophobia or a fear of heights. All participants must be physically fit and able to wear the provided safety equipment.
  • Participants must arrive sober. Alcohol breath testing may apply.
  • Please wear or bring a pair of socks.
  • Skirts and dresses are not recommended.
  • Long hair must be tied back.
  • Cameras are welcome above ground, but cannot be taken into the tunnels.
  • Lockers will be provided for personal belongings.
  • Each participant must read and sign a declaration form before the tour begins.


Duration: Approximately 2 hours


Join us for an exclusive site visit to the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, currently under construction by an alliance between Water Corporation, Acciona, and Jacobs. This vital facility is designed to produce 50 Gigalitres of water annually, with the potential to expand to 100 Gigalitres in the future, providing a sustainable solution to Perth’s growing water demand.


The visit will include an introduction to the project, followed by a tour of the construction site, where you’ll see the ongoing works on the world’s largest secant piled peanut shaft, which will combine a TBM launch with a permanent outfall chamber and intake pumping station. You’ll also explore the intake and outfall tunnels, which are being constructed to withstand significant internal pressures and will connect to intake and outfall structures on the seabed.


Expert guides will explain the desalination process, the engineering challenges of the project, and the extensive environmental considerations that went into siting the intakes and outfalls in this highly sensitive coastal location. You’ll also learn about the innovative design of the intake and outfall solutions on the seabed, which minimise the impact on local flora and fauna.