Lahey's Canungra Tramway Tunnel, Heritage railway tunnel in Canungra, Australia
Lahey's Canungra Tramway Tunnel is a sandstone railway tunnel in Queensland that extends approximately 91 meters through the Darlington Range. The passage connects Canungra with the Pine Creek Valley area, where timber harvesting took place in the early 1900s.
The tunnel was constructed starting in 1901 by the Lahey family, who had established a sawmill in Canungra in 1884. The work enabled efficient transport of timber from the surrounding forest areas.
The tramway held deep importance for the local community, blending industrial work with leisure by moving timber while offering recreational journeys through the mountains. Residents used these trips to explore the surrounding landscape and feel connected to the natural world around them.
Access to the tunnel comes via Darlington Range Road, with parking spots near Pine Street in Canungra. It is best to wear sturdy shoes and be ready for uneven ground.
The tunnel was blasted directly into sandstone without any internal lining or support structures, showing impressive engineering for its time. Visitors can see this unprotected construction method today, revealing early 1900s techniques.
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