When visiting the historic surrounds of Canungra, why not explore the heritage-listed sandstone tramway tunnel. The original purpose of the tunnel was initiated by the Lahey family (the same family which later went on to establish Canungra Hotel) who established their first sawmill in Canungra in 1884 and wanted to build a tramway into the Pine Creek Valley. The tunnel construction was commenced in 1901 and first used in September 1903. Its length extended over the next ten years to total 26km, and joined up in 1915 to Logan Village. In its prime, the tramway weaved in and around waterfalls and lush ferns. A small carriage was even built for dignitaries to experience the sights without getting dirty!
As the timber industry declined in the 1920’s, the line was eventually just expended for sight-seeing, before being used during WWII to store ammunition for Canungra’s Kokoda Barracks.
Now known as the Lahey Tramway Tunnel, it was reopened to pedestrians in 2001 and added to the Queensland Heritage Register on April 11, 2005. Due to safety concerns, you can now only walk a short distance to the opening of the tramway, but the hike itself to explore the tunnel is a popular attraction for train enthusiasts to the area. As far as walking trails go, it is only a short distance of approximately 1km and should take around 45 minutes to complete.
Parking is available on Darlington Range Road, close to Pine Street and once you’ve finished, we’ll have a cold beverage waiting for you at the Hotel!
View the area and its surroundings on the map to learn how to get here.
