Dularcha Railway Tunnel

The Dularcha railway tunnel is a highlight of the National Park of the same name. Situated between Landsborough and Mooloolah, the tunnel is on a superseded section of the original North Coast Railway line from Brisbane to Gympie. The tunnel which cuts through a sandstone ridge was built during 1890 and opened in January 1891 as part of the final construction of the line. The retention of forest along the rail corridor was first suggested in 1906 at the declaration of the State Forest and National Parks Act. This area was gazetted National Park in 1921 to ensure the preservation of the sylvan scenery for rail travellers. As rail traffic increased, work began to regrade the line, including a realignment and subsequent abandonment of the tunnel in 1932. During the early 1940s the tunnel was partly sealed and leased for mushroom growing. The National Park was extended in 1954 and in 1958 was named Dularcha National Park, honouring the local Aboriginal name for Blackbutt country. Today the tunnel is accessible via tracks within the National Park and is home to large-footed myotis bats, as well as an array of insects and ferns. Further information may be obtained from the National Parks website.