Yimbun Railway Tunnel, Qld

Yimbun Railway Tunnel is a heritage-listed tunnel at Sinnamons Lane, Harlin, Somerset Region, Queensland. The Tunnel was designed and built from 1909 to 1910 by Queensland Railways. It is located between 95.4 km and 95.5 km from Wulkuraka station along the former Brisbane Valley Branch Line formation and is sited beneath a saddle between two knolls.

Dawes Range Tunnels, Qld

The building of the narrow gauge branch railway line from Byellee to Monto involved the construction of six tunnels, taking the railway under the Dawes Range. Built after World War I, their lengths are: No.1 – 100m, No.s 2 and 3 – 105m, No. 4 – 130m, No. 5 – 155m and No. 6 – 170m. Tunnel No. 6 still has the railway line through it, and the original ‘hogback’ sleepers in place. One tunnel is significantly curved so that it is dark upon entering but after a short distance light starts to appear from the other end, so torches are not essential but may be helpful.

Sleeps Hill Tunnels No.s 1 and 2, Adelaide, SA

Just 8 kilometres from the centre of Adelaide, in the most attractive part of the Adelaide foothills, sit two old railway tunnels. The building of the Adelaide-to-Melbourne railway line, of which the original Sleeps Hill Tunnels and 31m high viaduct were an integral part, was heralded as one of the greatest achievements of South Australia at the time. After the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese early in 1942, the South Australian Government decided to use Sleep’s Hill Tunnels for storage. Under heavy security of the Defence Corps, truckloads of valuable State possessions were stacked onto specifically built jarrah platforms that ran the length of the tunnel.

Helensburgh and Orford Tunnels, NSW

The railway line south of Sutherland to Wollongong was built between 1884 and 1886. The section of line between Waterfall and Otford passed through rugged country, much of which is in the Royal National Park. So difficult was the terrain, a number of tunnels had to be built. Most of these are no longer in use, having been replaced by longer, straighter tunnels on a more direct route. The abandoned tunnels are all still accessible via an interesting bushwalk.

Photo: State Library South Australia

Dowds Hill tunnel, Peterborough, SA

The single track Dowds Hill tunnel, also known as the Ucotra Tunnel, to the east of Peterborough, was the only tunnel on the originsal narrow gauge Peterborough - Broken Hill railway line. Dowds Hill is located 5.8km to the east of the town of Peterborough, and is at an altitude of about 620m above sea level.

Littlehampton Railway Twin Tunnels, SA

The now abandoned Littlehampton railway was once busy railway line, but the tracks have rarely seen a train usince 1984. The 96 metre long ARMCO tunnel was installed when the South Eastern Freeway was built and replaced an open rail cutting known as McGrath’s Cutting. The tracks are now used as a tourist attraction with the occasional train traveling to Victor Harbor. This hidden gem is also known as the Twin Tunnels as you will find a second tunnel about 100 meters east of the track. This tunnel has been converted into a pedestrian underpass underneath the South-Eastern Expressway. You'll find parking at the end of Childs Road in Littlehampton.

Sydney's Abandoned Railway Tunnels

The City of Sydney has numerous railway lines that once carried goods and passengers to parts of the suburban area that for various reasons were deemed to no longer warrant railway services. We explore the abandoned tunnels of these railways.

Lebrina Tunnel, Tasmania

When you see a place called Tunnel on the map, it's not hard to imagine what you'll find there. Tunnel sits near of Lebrina, just a few kilometres past Lilydale in Tasmania. The tunnel itself is little known and well hidden. It was part of the north eastern Launceston to Herrick railway line. The first passenger train to run through the tunnel did so on February 2, 1889, with the state's Governor on board, but initially the line only went as far as Scottsdale.

Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel, NSW

To service Newnes oil-shale industrial development in the NSW Blue Mountains, it was deemed necessary to construct a standard gauge railway into the Wolgan valley to connect the works at Newnes with the nearest main railway to Sydney. The resulting railway connected with the Western Main Line at Newnes Junction, some 50 kms south of Newnes. The Glow Worm Tunnel is one of two now abandoned tunnels on this railway. This tunnel curves through almost 180 degrees and consequently it is very dark. In normal weather a small creek flows through it. These conditions are ideal for certain "glow worms" which inhabit the walls and roof of the tunnel.

Muntapa Tunnel, Qld

15km south of Cooyar, Muntapa Tunnel is Queensland’s longest straight railway tunnel (287m). It is also quite high being 640m above sea level. Now that trains don't roar through it the tunnel is a seasonal home to a colony of bent winged bats and the main feature on a walking trail. You can walk through the tunnel- a torch is a neccessity. This tunnel was on the branch line that was opened from Oakey to Cooyar in 1913 and was closed in 1964.

Boolboonda Tunnel, Qld

Boolboonda Tunnel is an abandoned heritage-listed railway tunnel at Tunnel Road, Boolboonda in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland. The tunnel is 192 metres in length making it the longest unsupported man-made tunnel in Queensland. Its construction represented an important engineering feat for rail transport in Queensland. It was built from 1881 to 1884 by O'Rourke & McSharry. It is also known as Boolboonda Railway Tunnel and SEQ-6Q 1. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999. The tunnel is presently used by vehicular traffic.

Swan View Tunnel, Perth, WA

The Swan View Tunnel, in John Forrest National Park, is a reminder of when the rail link to the rest of Australia once passed that way. It is the only railway tunnel ever constructed in Western Australia and is now part of the John Forrest Heritage Trail, which runs through the park. The original Mahogany Creek line, built in 1884 between Midland to Mundaring, was so steep a deviation had to be built which included this tunnel. Cut through solid rock, the tunnel was completed in 1895 at a cost of about £12,000.

Redbank Range 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.

Canungra Tramway Tunnel, Qld

Lahey's Canungra Tramway Tunnel is a heritage-listed tunnel on Laheys Tramway at Canungra, Queensland. It was built from 1901 to 1903 by Mr Clark. An interesting walk is through the sawmill's old tramway tunnel cut through sandstone, reveals scars caused by logs jamming against them. The tunnel can be accessed from a signed parking area off Beaudesert Nerang Road. From there a path leads down to the tunnel and a small picnic area.

Cheviot Tunnel, Vic

The historic Cheviot Tunnel is a key feature of the Tallarook to Mansfield Rail Line which operated between 1883 and 1970 and now the Great Victorian Rail Trail open to walkers, cyclists and horse riding enthusiasts. The Great Victorian Rail Trail meanders through undulating farmland along the gum lined Goulburn River with views into the foothills of the Victorian High Country.

Fernleigh Tunnel, Belmont, NSW

The Fernleigh Track is a multi-use rail trail near Belmont, New South Wales, constructed in the way of the former Belmont railway line. The abandoned Belmont railway line was a coal haulage and passenger rail line from Adamstown to Belmont. In 1880 a rail line was built to Redhead with the line being extended to Belmont in 1916. The trail passes through the brick-lined Fernleigh Tunnel under the Pacific Highway.