Details

80 m

0.6 hrs

Out and back

As of Now, this location has been closed and fenced off.

Old Abandoned Helensburgh Tunnel 

This hidden gem is tucked away in the suburb of Helensburgh near Wollongong in NSW, and can be very easy to miss if you don’t know where to find it, but it is truly fascinating and is an insight into the past. Built in the mid 1800s and retired in 1920, the tunnel is now used for exploring and is excellent for photography. If you are brave enough to walk deep into the darkness of the tunnel and turn off your torch, wait awhile to let your eyes adjust, look up, and you will see hundreds of glow worms. The tunnel also creates some interesting echoes, or some say its haunted! Because the tunnel sits at the bottom of a gully between two rock cliffs ensure that when you go you are wearing sturdy comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting wet (or completely destroyed!) because of the often muddy conditions. Don’t forget to take a torch and see how far into the tunnel you can make it before getting spooked…

How to get there 

Address- 2 Vera Street Helensburgh 

Drive down the winding road to the bottom of the hill, to your left there is a carpark and a dirt track off the suburban road. Depending on the day you may also be able to park in the carpark at the new Helensburgh train station. Take a short walk back up the road from the new station, and through the trees. The rock corridor is straight ahead in a temperate rainforest. Look out for the tunnel entrance, the big, bold ‘HELENSBURGH’ sign on the old platform, and remains of the old rail tracks. The tunnel can be accessed at any time of the day, but after it has rained there will be a small waterfall down the right-hand side. Once inside the tunnel (watch your step) you can walk as far as you want and view the glow-worms on the walls and ceiling.