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Category: Tunnel

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Illowra Hill 60 Battery Port Kembla

Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position

Illowra Hill 60 Battery

Today the Illowra Hill 60 Battery gives fantastic views over the Illawarra Coastline, however, in World War Two it was the front line of defence for the region. With an observation post on top of the hill, the two guns placed below had commanding views of fire to defend Port Kembla and its steel industry.

Getting There

Located in Port Kembla near Fisherman’s Beach, the Hill 60 Lookout has a small car park and lookout platform which lets you admire views up and down the coast. Once you have finished here, drive to the lower car park, to the tunnel entrances.

The Illowra Hill 60 Battery Tunnels

Built to allow access to the gun emplacements, two tunnels descend steeply from the entrance. The steepest sections have concrete stairs, but be careful, as rocks and dust provide trip and slip hazards. Adjacent to the stairs are the pathways a small gauge trollyway ran on, delivering shells to the guns below.

Although dark, the tunnels have been decorated by previous visitors and almost every blank space is covered with the grafiti.

At the end of each tunnel are the remains of the concrete gun emplacements. The mounting plates are still present at both while No. 2 emplacement still has the gun-shield.

A cross tunnel connected No 1 and No, 2 tunnels, meaning you do not have to return to the same entrance. This was far darker than the main tunnels, which added to the interest in following it.

During our visit both tunnels were accessible, however both also had large metal doors. These may be locked at times.

View over the Coast From the Top of Hill 60.
View over the Coast From the Top of Hill 60.
Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position
Illowra Hill 60 Battery No. 2 Gun Position
No. 1 Gun Position Tunnel Illowra Hill 60 Battery
No. 1 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 1 Gun Position Mounting Plate Illowra Hill 60 Battery
No. 1 Gun Position Mounting Plate
Entrance to the No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
Entrance to the No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position Tunnel
No. 2 Gun Position and Gun Shield
No. 2 Gun Position and Gun Shield

What Did We Think?

We had a great time exploring these tunnels, as they were interesting for their history as well as being deserted and different to the usual abandoned emplacements on the coastline. They were easy to find and parking was easy and with great views.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Picton New South Wales

The Picton Viaduct

Picton New South Wales

Stopping at Picton on our way south to Jarvis Bay, we spent some time looking around town to break the driving and get a coffee. Picton’s Main Street contains several old and historic buildings which we stopped to take photos. There was also a variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from if you wanted something to eat and drink. There is plenty of parking.

  • Picton's Main Street
    Picton’s Main Street
  • Old Picton Post Office
    Old Picton Post Office

Picton Viaduct

Not far from the Picton railway station is the viaduct, a huge sandstone bridge spanning a gully and small creek. Parking is limited as no dedicated car park is available, but we found parking in a side street.

There is a walkway down to the creek where you can cross to the other side of the viaduct from a different perspective.

The Picton Viaduct From Stonequarry Creek
The Viaduct From Stonequarry Creek
The Picton Viaduct
The Picton Viaduct

The Mushroom Tunnel at Picton

Another rail related attraction is a disused rail tunnel  that you can visit called the Mushroom Tunnel. We missed the entrance the first time as it is quite small. The dirt road into the tunnel can be rough so drive carefully. The tunnel itself is quite interesting,  having been repurposed from a train tunnel to a mushroom farm (hence its name) and now a tourist attraction. We drove though it in the car, then turned around and drove back before walking through it. Remember to take a torch.!

Mushroom Tunnel Piction New South Wales
Mushroom Tunnel

New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere

How to Get There

Only a 10-minute drive from Picton is the NSW Rail Museum Rail Museum. The museum houses the majority of Transport Heritage NSW large collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock. The importance of this collection means that it is well protected and mostly housed under cover as well as having a modern display hall containing the most important items.

Parking is on the road outside of the museum in marked parking bays. Entry is via the new building where the staff will give you a map of the museum and answer any questions you may have.

The Collection

The main building houses the historic E18 and E78 trains as well as the Governor’s train.

Oldest Loco E18 New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Oldest Loco E18
Locomotive E78 New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Locomotive E78

The majority of the collection is held outside under cover and away from the elements. This huge collection would take many hours to explore if you wanted to examine it all in detail. There are arrows painted on the walkways to make walking around the collection easier.

Old Carriages New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Old Carriages
Rail Pay Bus New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Rail Pay Bus
D55 Class Locomotive 5595 New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
D55 Class Locomotive 5595

As well as the trains and rolling stock, there is other memorabilia at the museum.  As you walk around you will find old station clocks, time-table departure boars and baggage carts.

Old Departure Time Board New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Old Departure Time Board
New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Baggage Cart

Unfortunately the on site café was not open when we visited,  but there are options available just a few minutes walk away at the Thirlmere shops.

Train Photographs

More photographs fro the NSW Rail Museum can be found here.

Thirlmere Station

While at the New South Wales Rail Museum have a look at the Thirlmere station and station master’s house as they are well maintained and make some great photos.

Thirlmere Station New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere
Thirlmere Station
Boom Gates at Thirlmere New South Wales Rail Museum Thirlmere

The old boom gates where the road into Thirlmere crosses the rail tracks are also worth having a close look at.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

We visited Helensburgh on a trip from The Hunter Valley to Jervis Bay, which made a fun, if a little out of the way stop. The main reason for going there was to see the Glow Worm Tunnel, an old railway tunnel, now disused but home to glow worms. In the past the tunnel was full of water, which added to rumours that it had a steam train in it. After draining, this was found to be untrue! You can however still see a good length of platform when entering the tunnel.

Access to the Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

For four weeks each year, the tunnels close, to allow the colony of glow worms time for breeding. During this time the gates are locked closed and there is a $1,000 fine. Note the locals love this tunnel, and want to keep it in good condition, so respect for when it is closed is important. You will need to see the website for closing dates.

Just outside the tunnel is a small car park, off the road, which leads to the entrance through a gateway. A sign at the gate reminds visitors of the fragile nature of the glow worms’ environment and asks that lights and noise be kept to a minimum. This is only opened for a short period of time during the day, as people were climbing the fence to enter.

The Tunnel and the Glow Worms

Overgrown with ferns the ground near the entrance to the old tunnel was very wet when we visited. If visiting after rain, the tunnel can become flooded so use caution when entering. Some old train tracks are visible and can be followed into the tunnel, but after 50m, they disappear. The floor of the tunnel is muddy, and footing can be slippery, so wear appropriate footwear. We took good hiking boots even though it was only a short walk, glad we did.

After walking in until the outside light disappeared and waiting patiently, the glow worms came out for an amazing display.

Another great glow worm tunnel exists at Newness in the Wollemi National Park.

  • The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
    The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
  • Tunnel Entrance
    Tunnel Entrance
  • Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
    Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
  • Looking Back Out of the Tunnel
    Looking Back Out of the Tunnel

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on