The UQ tunnels - fact or fiction?

The older the university campus, the more secrets there are to uncover. At almost 120 years old, there are countless weird and wonderful urban legends and myths about UQ’s St Lucia campus.

From ghosts to giants: UQ’s greatest myths and legends

You may have heard whispers about the ghost that haunts Schonell Theatre - Sophea. She appears as a living person wearing an old fashioned dress. Once the audience leaves after a show, she has been sighted walking into the dressing rooms and mysteriously vanishing. There are rumours of Hartley Teakle and Seddon having some spirits of their own, too.

Then, there’s the legend behind the iconic jacaranda flowers - if one falls on your head, you might run the risk of failing the whole semester. 

But the most enduring and intriguing mystery is that of the Great Court tunnels. Do they really exist? If so, what are they for? Online rumours range from the practical (they’re a space being used to store an overflow of documents from the libraries) to the creepy (it’s a crypt!). Then, there’s the creatures that supposedly live down there - one or several Nephilim (mysterious beings or people that may resemble giants) reportedly call the tunnels home.

So, what really lies under UQ?

Fact or fiction? The Great Court tunnels

“I always say rumours are interesting, and sometimes there's a version of the truth to a rumour,” muses Brooke Veliscek, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability at UQ. “So, are there tunnels under the Great Court? The answer is yes.”

That’s right! Beneath the green lawns where you stretch out to study and the iconic carved cloisters exist a series of passages. That’s one mystery solved.

So, are secret meetings held in the tunnels?

Unfortunately, no. While they are referred to the Great Court tunnels by Brooke and her team, they are actually underground service ducts that keep buildings operating.

“They're used to reticulate various infrastructure services in a safe and accessible way,” Brooke explains.

Electricity cables, water pipes, drainage, sewerage, connecting fire systems and IT can all run through these service ducts.

“Elsewhere at campus where we don't have the tunnels, those services can be buried in the ground,” Brooke says. “Therefore, there’s less visibility, less access, and it’s very disruptive when you need to change them.”

While they may not be as peculiar as the gossip implied, the tunnels are pretty innovative.

“I think it’s great foresight,” Brooke shares. “To have an area dedicated to the services that you can walk along and visually see to check the condition. You can do repairs in the open without disrupting any of the operations.”

Can I visit the tunnels?

Urban exploring is all the rage, but the Great Court tunnels are not accessible to the public for a reason. Under health and safety legislation, and as a confined space, the tunnels are only accessible to those that have the qualifications to go inside them.

“I’m really interested in them, but I haven’t been in there yet!” laughs Brooke.

However, there are a few spots on campus where you can take a sneak peek.

“If students were interested, there are a couple of little holes to peek in around the university which can show where some of the entrances are,” shares Brooke. “One exists just at the back of our Patina restaurant… That’s one that I walk past every day.”

Maybe you do, too?

What do the tunnels look like?

Now that we know they’re off-limits, the tunnels become even more curious. But, as Brooke assures, they’re probably not that exciting to explore.

“They’d be a big corridor of concrete with pipes, possibly on either side,” she says. “Some areas would be just tall enough to be able to walk, but for most of it, you’ve got to crouch down. It would be very uncomfortable. A very dirty, dark tunnel full of services is largely what it is.”

What other mysteries can you investigate on campus?

With all of the heritage buildings, Brooke says there’s always something to explore at UQ.

“The university is full of secret hidey-holes. It’s amazing!”

But the best mysteries are those that are being solved by students, like you!

“UQ is working on cutting-edge technology and research. I’m sure there are always mysteries into what’s happening behind closed doors.”

As for other campus legends to discover, Brooke suggests checking out the famous Pitch Drop experiment in the Parnell Building, which holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running laboratory experiment. Or head to the city and see what you can uncover.

“I hear that there are tunnels closer to Brisbane City,” Brooke shares. “Customs House on the river, and through Queen Street. What sort of tunnels exist over there?”