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Tag: Tunnel

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Balls Head Reserve Sydney Australia

Sydney, The Harbour and a sailing ship from Balls Head Reserve

Balls Head Reserve Sydney Australia

Located on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, Balls Head Reserve is a scenic reserve offering breathtaking views of the harbour city and bridge. Winding tracks through regenerated native bushland let you experience the Australian bush without leaving Sydney.

History

The reserve was named after Henry Lidgbird Ball, who was a Royal Navy officer and the captain of HMS Supply during the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788.

During the 19th century, the area was utilized for quarrying and later for shipbuilding purposes. The remnants of the quarrying activity are still visible within the reserve. To the north of the reserve, Balls Head Coal Loader was an important export point for coal. The coal wharf and load out tunnels are still present and make a great addition to a visit to the area.

Getting there

Getting to Balls Head Reserve is relatively straightforward. We used the train and walked through Carradah Park and Balls Head Coal Loader before going to the reserve.

  • By public transport: Take a train to Waverton station and then enjoy a pleasant 15-20 minute walk through the picturesque streets of Waverton to reach the reserve. Alternately, walk through Carradah Park for more views of the harbour and see the rehabilitated BP site.
  • By car: It’s recommended to arrive early to secure a spot because there is limited street parking available.

Remember to check the current public transport schedules and any restrictions in place before planning your visit.

Balls Head Reserve

We entered the reserve through the tunnels from the old coal loader. This is a great way to enter the reserves because you walk from an industrial area to a rehabilitated bush environment. Although the tunnel is well lit the walkway is rough, so watch your footing.

Following the narrow track around the headland, we had some amazing views of the harbour. Several lookout provide great places to relax and take in the views. One even has a weather shelter carved from a large boulder. We brought some snacks and drinks, so this was a great place to stop and refuel while admiring the views. We were lucky to be there when one of the sailing ships went past, returning from one of its day trips.

The track varies from a wide shared roadway to narrow dirt tracks, so it’s a good idea to wear good shoes if you want to see the whole area. Several picnic spots with tables benches and toilets make it a great place to spend a few relaxing hours.

Coal Loading Tunnel
Coal Loading Tunnel
Coal Loading Tunnel Retaining Wall
Coal Loading Tunnel Retaining Wall
Walking Track Balls Head Reserve
Walking Track
Old Industrial Remains
Old Industrial Remains
Shelter area at one of the lookouts
Shelter area at one of the lookouts
Sydney Harbour Bridge from Balls Head Reserve
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney, The Harbour and a sailing ship from Balls Head Reserve
View of Sydney, The Harbour and a sailing ship
Sailing ship on Sydney Harbour
Sailing ship on Sydney Harbour

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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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Box Vale Walking Track Tunnel

Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel

Only a ten-minute drive from the centre of Mittagong, the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel is an amazing bush walk. Not only do you get to see Australian bush, but a rail cutting and old, disused tunnel.

There are two easily accessible places to start the walk. The first is closer to Mittagong but around 3 to 5 hours for the return trip. The second is closer, with a 4km return walk, taking about 30 to 45 minutes each way.

We chose the second option and parked near a locked gate at the start of a fire trail.

Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area
Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area

The Fire Trail Section

Maintained to ensure access for firefighting, the fire trail is an easy walk. Not far along the trail, look out for a sign on the right-hand side. This is where the Box Vale Walking Track diverges. It is narrow and overgrown, so easy to miss.

Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Start of the Track

Trail to the Tunnel

Once you see the post with an arrow, follow the tack into the bush. There is no official sign here, so someone has written “tunnel” on it with an arrow. From this point, the vegetation changes for that found on the fire trail. It becomes denser with more ferns and undergrowth.

Not long after crossing a bridge over a small creek, you arrive at the tramway cutting.

Sign Post on the Fire Trail
Sign Post on the Fire Trail Leading to the Tunnel
Bridge on the Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area
Bridge on the Box Vale Walking Track

Tramway Rail Cutting

This former railway line was used to transport coal from the Nattai Region to the main southern line at Mittagong. Although the rail lines are long gone, the cuttings remain and form a great part of the walk. This section of the walk can become extremely muddy, so wear good waterproof boots.

The scenery here is great, while the overgrown walls of the cuttings give the area a surreal feeling.

Cutting for the old tramway Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Cutting for the old tramway
Cutting for the old tramway on the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Cutting for the old tramway
Fallen Tree in the tramway cutting
Fallen Tree in the tramway cutting

Box Vale Tunnel

The highlight of the walk is the 84m Box Vale Tunnel. Once again, good walking boots are required as the floor can be wet and muddy, as well as slippery. Walking through the tunnel was fun, because it was very atmospheric.

Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Box Vale Tunnel
Box Vale Tunnel
Inside the tunnel Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Inside the tunnel

What Did We Think of the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel?

The old tramway cutting and tunnel added something different because of the way they are overgrown. The otherworldly feel from the overgrown areas was fun to walk through as well as take photos. Apart from a few areas to get around boulders, the walk was easy because it was mainly flat.

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

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Derby Tin Mining Tunnel Tasmania

Tin Tunnel

Derby Tin Mining Tunnel

Originally a tin mining district, Derby is now a haven for mountain bike riders, with an established series of bike trails in the district. A remnant of the mining history has been incorporated into the bike and walking trails, making an excellent addition to the usual Australian bush you usually go through. The old Derby tin mining tunnel is easy to walk through, but bring a torch, so that you can see.

Getting There

Located in north-east Tasmania, Derby is 90 minutes from Launceston and three and a half hours from Hobart. We travelled here from the Bay of Fires, only an hour away, stopping on the way at Paris Dam Wall.

Bike Tracks

The town is surrounded by bike tracks, which attract people from all over Australia. Generally, the tracks are dual use, biking/riding, but check before setting out and be polite to other users. We only walked to the tunnel and found the bike riders to be polite and friendly, but we always moved off the track to let them through.

The tracks wind through Tasmanian temperate rainforest making them magical to walk through.

  • Track Through the Trees
    Track Through the Trees
  • Walking / Bike Track Derby
    Walking / Bike Track
  • Walking Track
    Walking / Bike Track

The Tunnel

The tunnel was one of several used to move waste from mines to the river, but is the only one now accessible. During our visit, the lights were not working, but we had a torch, so walking was not a problem. Without light, the tunnel would be pitch dark and dangerous.

While walking, keep an ear out for bikes, so that you can keep out of their way. You will hear them a long way off and they will see your light. Several groups passed us as we walked, with no problems.

Good footwear is essential as the floor is uneven in places and can be wet.

At 600m long, it does not take long to walk through before entering daylight again.

  • Entrance to the Tunnel
    Entrance to the Tunnel
  • Tin Tunnel
    Tin Tunnel
  • Tin Tunnel
    Light to the Outside of the Tin Tunnel
  • Exit From the Tunnel
    Exit From the Tunnel

What Did We Think

This was a really fun walk and something different to the usual bush walks we do. The tunnel was easy to walk through using a light and wearing good walking shoes.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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