On a recent trip, I had been to Kellys Falls at Helensburg with Digi Dave. On that trip, I had suffered a careless misfortune. When rotating a polaroid filter off the camera lens it had unscrewed and fallen down a waterfall. It hadn’t gone all the way – and had rested on a small slippery and sloping ledge about one and a half metres down. Since then, with no recent rain, I thought the filter may still be there – so was keen to see if the filter could be rescued. So, I returned, again with Digi Dave, and this time we had a rope, harness etc. The filter was still there and was quickly descended to and grabbed. It seemed OK. Now what to do with the rest of the day?
The Helensburgh Tunnel
I was keen to check out some of the six old abandoned railway tunnels in the area.
We headed to nearby Helensburgh and drove down to the station. Near this are two old tunnels. Both are very easy to access – and indeed can be seen from the road to the station.
Our first tunnel was the short, Helensburgh Tunnel. This is only 100 metres or so long, and is covered with graffiti, but still has excellent brickwork in place.
The Metropolitan Tunnel
In the opposite direction, on the other side of the road is the much longer Metropolitan Tunnel. It starts right at the recently partially unearthed platform of the original Helensburgh Station. We only went in the tunnel a short way. It too seems in very good condition.
The lower end of the Otford – Stanwell Park Tunnel
The longest of the old tunnels in the area is the Otford – Stanwell Park Tunnel. It is about 1.6 km long and is dead straight for most of its length. We approached the tunnel at its lower end – at Stanwell Park. We had earlier driven around Otford, and even though we knew where the top of the tunnel should be – there was no clear route to it that we could see. It was certainly easy to find the lower end – at the end of one of the few roads of Stanwell Park.
The tunnel is an impressive engineering feat. However, it seems, fully loaded trains, had trouble with getting fresh air on the steep climb up the tunnel (1 in 40 gradient) -and drivers, firemen and passengers would suffer from asphyxiation. To try and overcome this, a ventilation shaft was bored down to the tunnel and later, a large blower fan was erected at the top to blow fresh air into the tunnel and smoke out. The final solution was a new deviation involving shorter tunnels and less gradient. This site has interesting information on the history of the tunnel.
Old tractor in the middle of the tunnel
We parked nearby, and walked into the tunnel. It starts with a bend and then enters the long straight section. A short way in – the tunnel is lined with concrete, the rest is lined with the original bricks used when the tunnel was constructed. The concrete section us due to the tunnel being blown up in 1942 in case Japanese soldiers landed on the nearby beaches and then used the tunnel as an access route. The tunnel was opened up again when the short blown up section was cleared and then lined with concrete. This was when the tunnel was used for a while as a mushroom farm.
As long as you have a good torch, it is easy to walk through the tunnel. But it is a long way and takes a while. The floor is mostly clear walking, although you need to be careful in places where an old brick culvert runs along the floor. In places the culvert is exposed. In about the middle of the tunnel is an old abandoned tractor of some type. The ventilation shaft is supposed to be close to this – although we didn’t see it (we did not look out for it though).
As you walk through the tunnel, after you complete the bend, you can see light at the far end. But its a long long way off and takes a while to reach it. It took us about half an hour or so.
The Otford end of the tunnel
The top end of the tunnel emerges into a small clearing (where the blower was housed, and later sheds for the mushroom farm) and is surrounded by lantana. A few tracks indicated possible access points – but we returned back down the tunnel.
We both found this tunnel a fascinating bit of Illawarra history. More information can be found here and here, and also I have more photos online here.
The abandoned tunnels are alway good fun to explore. I’m not sure if you have read it, but the “Sydney’s Forgotten Illawarra Railways” book by John Oaks of the Australian Railway Historical Society is a good read for more information on the old railway line and the associated tunnels.
The Metropolitan Tunnel is quite interesting in that the tunnels far end is generally flooded with water as it has been blocked off to form a reservoir. The amount of recent rain dictates how far in you can travel before you hit the water, but usually you can get a few 100m in. Did you happen to see the glowworms that live inside it? The tunnel is special in that it is the only one with them in it, and it is very impressive to see the glow being reflected off the water. They apparently are there as it was the only tunnel not to be used for the farming of mushrooms. This tunnel was graffiti free in the past, but unfortunately that was no longer the case when I visited it last.
The tunnel north of Helensburgh Station which is located 100m west (in the direction of the current train line) from where Wilsons Creek Road ends at the bridge, is well worth a visit. It is in the best condition of all the tunnels, and has little graffiti.
The access to the northern end of the Otford tunnel can be made through the public school, though it is probably best not to do so during School hours, and the southern end is less of a hassle. The ventilation shaft is quite impressive in that it bores a fair distance down from the surface to reach the tunnel below. It is located just south of the tractor, (you can actually just see it in one of your photos) however it is easily missed as the tractor tends to draw peoples attention away from the roof. Photos of the shaft above and below the ground can been seen here – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.550224025055685.1073741837.100002042771838&type=1&l=15a0f6e11d – from an adventure of mine last year.
update hello visited otford tunnel today 22-9-15 chellow dene avenue has been blocked 350-400metres short of south portal not sure of reason no real room to turn car around we backed up to side street and parked then walked to portal upon entry surface was pretty good beyond repaired section surface becomes a bit choppy amongst misplaced drain cover slabs could see light at north end but having suffered a massive unexplained stroke in oct 2013 decided that I would not risk a spill and we turned around we were just short of the old tractor I was happy with achievement but disappointed not to make false portal at otford end 12 months ago I couldn’t have made it from road block to south portal I finished tired but satisfied I gave it my best shot today maybe next time
Walked through the tunnel on 21st November 2015.
As per Neils comment above, we parked at the South entrance at the end of the Chellow Dene, where it is blocked off, as it goes up the hill, and from there a few minutes walk to the entrance.
Need a good torch and shoes that can get wet. Ground is unveven, but fine as long as you’re looking where you’re going and have good light. No need to be super fit, but the walk is nearly 2 hours return, so basic fitness is required.
As you are going north you can see the light at the other end, and it seems to take forever to get there. On the way back you can’t see any light until you’re very close to the end.
Interesting to see the little springs of water coming up from underneath, the tractor and other bits and pieces of machinery and materials, different types of graffiti etc.
Thought I might be scared, but it was ok, and didn’t come across any people, monsters or ghosts. LOL
Recommend it – something a little different to do for the morning!