Wick Drains in
Australia
- Over 32 years of reliable, industry-backed drilling experience
- Full-service capabilities with 7 specialised drilling rigs
- Servicing the Northern Rivers with safe, efficient on-site delivery
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Australian Wick Drains
When your project needs fast, reliable installation of vertical wick drains, having the right equipment makes all the difference. At North Coast Drilling & Wicks, our fleet of dedicated wick drain rigs is built for precision, productivity, and access to complex job sites throughout the Northern Rivers.
Whether you’re working on soft soils, reclaimed land, or time-sensitive infrastructure builds, our rigs are designed to streamline the process. We customise each setup based on ground conditions and drainage requirements, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum coverage. With proven methods, experienced operators, and specialist gear, we help get your site ready for construction faster. Our wick drain rigs are often used alongside services like geotechnical drilling, piezometer installation and inclinometer installation to support full-site ground assessment and stability monitoring.
With 32+ years of field experience and seven high-performing rigs, we back every job with skill, speed, and safety.
For professional wick drain rig services throughout Australia, call
0401 380 986 to speak with our team today.
Specialised Rigs for Complex Ground Conditions
Our wick drain rigs are engineered to install vertical drains quickly and consistently across a variety of terrains. Designed for ground improvement projects on compressible soils, they’re ideal for road upgrades, subdivision work, rail foundations, and industrial site prep. These rigs operate with efficiency and minimal ground disturbance, reducing downtime and keeping projects on schedule.
Whether the job requires access across soft clay or involves strict layout specifications, our team ensures every drain is placed to exacting standards.
- Delivers fast, consistent installation rates
- Reduces settlement time & site delays
- Suitable for large-scale infrastructure projects
We know how to navigate site constraints, weather conditions, and challenging subsurface layers. Our rigs and operators work hand-in-hand to deliver outstanding results. Contact us today to discuss your wick drain rig needs or book a quote for your upcoming project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wick drain rig used for?
A wick drain rig is specialised equipment designed to install prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) into soft and saturated soils. These drains create channels that accelerate the removal of excess pore water, significantly speeding up soil consolidation. Wick drain rigs are essential in ground improvement projects, particularly for large infrastructure works like embankments, roadways, railways and land reclamation. By enhancing soil drainage, wick drains help stabilise the ground and reduce settlement time, making construction safer and more efficient. The rigs can operate in various soil conditions and are often used in combination with other ground improvement techniques, such as preloading or surcharging, to achieve optimal soil stability.
How deep can wick drain rigs install drains?
Wick drain rigs are capable of installing drains to substantial depths, depending on the rig’s capacity and the project’s soil conditions. Typically, these rigs can install drains to depths of around 30 to 40 metres, but in some cases, specialised rigs can achieve depths exceeding 50 metres. The depth capability is influenced by factors such as soil strength, rig size, mandrel type and site-specific engineering requirements. For deep installations, maintaining verticality is crucial to ensure the drains function effectively. Rig operators carefully monitor depth and alignment using advanced tracking systems, allowing precision placement of drains even in challenging ground conditions, ensuring proper consolidation performance.
What types of soil are suitable for wick drain installation?
Wick drains are primarily used in soft, saturated soils with low permeability where natural consolidation is slow. Ideal soil types include soft clays, silty clays, organic clays and peat, which are common in floodplains, coastal areas and reclaimed land. These soils typically exhibit high compressibility and retain significant amounts of water, making them prone to settlement under loading. Wick drains help by providing a direct drainage path for water to escape, accelerating soil consolidation. Conversely, they are not suitable for use in dense sands, gravels or rocky soils, where natural drainage is already efficient or installation becomes mechanically difficult and ineffective.
