Boolboonda Tunnel, Queensland- To the batcave

Off the Bruce Highway that most tourists travail is a relatively unusual and unknown historic remnant from the past.

After passing through Gin Gin heading north there is a turn off for the Gin Gin Mount Perry Road. Approximately 33 kilometres inland and situated two kilometres off the road, the turn off to Boolboonda Tunnel is well signposted.

In 1883 drilling commenced to make a 192 metre long tunnel through solid granite to connect Bundaberg to the mining town of Mount Perry in Central Queensland by train. When open a year later to travel the 90 kilometres took 4.5 hours. Sounds like a slow train but it was faster than by horse and cart over mountains.

The train line closed 73 years later in 1960 due to a lack of passengers. The tunnel is now a gravel road for local farmers.

There are signs near the entrance where it is possible to press buttons to hear short stories and titbits of information about the tunnel. Along with warnings if you choose to walk through the tunnel.

I chose not to walk through due to the large colony of micro bats living inside. I could see them flying around silhouetted against the light at the end of the tunnel.

As close as I was comfortable to get. Bats can be seen flying around inside.

If bitten or scratched by the bats there is a good chance to catch the deadly Lyssavirus. Of course you would be unlucky to come in contact with the shy creatures but another disease comes from the droppings which can get airborne in dust particles. So if you breathe in the airborne fungus it is possible to catch Histopilasmosis or 'cave disease' as it is also known.

So I even had doubts driving through the tunnel. The churned up dust could get inside the car even with the windows up. I didn't want to risk it, as others do. Would you?

Where is it?:-

Turn off to Tunnel Road is 33km from Gin Gin on the Gin Gin Mount Perry Road.

One hour from Bundaberg.

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All photos taken by myself.