There’s no shortage of famous lookouts, quaint towns and walking trails in the Blue Mountains, but some of its most fascinating places remain hidden in plain sight. Among them is the historic Lapstone Hill Tunnel, a long-closed railway tunnel that has remained largely out of sight for decades. Later this month, visitors will have a rare opportunity to step inside the remarkable structure as it opens to the public for a series of special open days. Built more than 130 years ago, the tunnel remains an important part of the region’s railway history and offers a look at one of the Blue Mountains’ lesser-known heritage landmarks. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Lapstone Hill Tunnel opens to the public
Usually closed to visitors, the tunnel will open across select dates in July and August, giving the public a rare chance to walk or cycle through one of the Blue Mountains’ most significant railway sites. Depending on the day, visitors can choose from guided heritage tours, self-guided walk-throughs and a community ride-through, with each experience offering a different way to explore the historic tunnel and its surrounds.
Originally constructed in the late 19th century, the tunnel played an important role in the development of the Blue Mountains rail line before being replaced by a new route. Today, it remains one of the region’s best-preserved pieces of railway infrastructure, tucked away at the eastern gateway to the Blue Mountains and largely inaccessible to the public.
The open weekends also form part of a broader vision to reopen the tunnel as a permanent public destination in the future. The proposal would see the surrounding region transformed into a space for walking, cycling, recreation and community events, giving new life to a landmark that has not been in use for decades.
Key details
- Dates: 25 July, 26 July and 2 August
- Experiences: guided heritage tours, walk-throughs, ride-through
- Bookings: registrations essential
- Accessibility: Dedicated guided tour available for visitors with accessibility or mobility needs
- Good to know: cyclists will need to walk bikes through the tunnel on the walk-through day
Find more information and make your bookings here.
Getting there
Lapstone Hill Tunnel is located in Lapstone, at the eastern gateway to the Blue Mountains, around an hour’s drive west of Sydney. If you’re travelling by public transport, catch a Blue Mountains Line train to Lapstone or Glenbrook Station, then walk to the designated meeting point or tunnel entrance, depending on your booked session. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
