Travel Australia

Redbank Range Railway Tunnel, Picton, NSW

The 180 metre long Redbank Range Railway Tunnel near Picton, also known as the Mushroom Tunnel, was opened in February 1867 and was the first railway tunnel to be used by the NSW Railways. References on the tunnel show that it was also known as the Old Mainline Tunnel. The tunnel is a fine example of the stonemasonry and design of the 1800s and is also one of the structures and works which provide evidence of the Great Southern Railway.

It was closed to rail traffic in 1919 when the new deviation line opened. During World War II it was one of a number of disused railway tunnels in the Sydney area in which mustard gas, ammunition and other military supplies were stored. After the RAAF moved out in 1950, it was used for commercial mushroom growing.

The tunnel would have long been forgotten were it not for ongoing occurrences of paranormal activity which have made it quite well known. The tunnel has a history of suicides and at least one railway accident, that of a woman named Emily, who these days is looked upon as the tunnel's resident ghost. Local records show that Emily Bollard was struck and killed by a train in 1916. She died at the centre of the tunnel where the apparition of Emily is always seen. On occasions black shadows have been viewed moving rapidly along the entire length of the tunnel. People have reported seeing white lights hovering above them, figures appearing in front and behind in the blackness, ghostly children and strange electrical appearances travelling down the tunnel. Rapid drops in temperature and sudden breezes like those caused by an approaching train have also been felt.



The tunnel is located at 229 Argyle Street, Picton 2571. It is on a main road and once you find the sign, it’s pretty easy to locate. You will need to park on a side street up the road though, as it’s on a main road. A lot of trucks fly by and there is no street parking, as there is a ratline right there and no side parking at all. Just be careful crossing the road, as the tunnel is surrounded by two sharp bends on either side, so cars and trucks may not see you crossing.

Once you enter the gates, you then turn left into the first dirt driveway you see (there is no sign here either). Follow a little ay and you will see the tunnel ahead and a sign confirming it’s the Mushroom Tunnel.



Thwe town of Picton is home to many historic buildings, including two types of bridges not found easily anymore elsewhere in the state - Victoria Bridge a timber trestle bridge that crosses Stonequarry Creek, opened in 1897, and the Picton Railway Viaduct a stone viaduct opened in 1863 to also cross Stonequarry Creek. The viaduct is still in use by the railways.

The George IV Inn, reputedly constructed in 1839, is considered to be one of the oldest hotel buildings in Australia. The cellar contains remnants of convict shackles as prisoners being transported from Sydney to Berrima prison would often be held in Picton overnight. The barn behind the hotel may date back to 1810 and is possibly the oldest building in Picton - it is used for functions such as birthday and engagement parties. The hotel is also the location of Scharer's Little Brewery, one of the first microbreweries in Australia and winner of numerous awards for its Burragorang Bock and Scharer's Lager beers.