Abandoned train tunnels 20m below the Sydney CBD have been turned into a historic tourist attraction.
Visitors will be able to explore hidden parts of the St James Tunnels, which were built in the 1920s and used as an air raid shelter in the second world war, following restoration and revitalisation works to create a unique underground experience.
St James Tunnels will combine a historical walking tour with an immersive multimedia and soundscape attraction, offering visitors a snapshot of Sydney’s transport and wartime past.
Tour groups will be able to walk through the disused southern tunnel, extending under Hyde Park, from St James station.
Tours are expected to commence later this year once an operator is appointed.
The tunnels were part of an east-west rail corridor envisioned by engineer John Bradfield but were abandoned in the face of the Great Depression and disagreements over rail routes.
Two of the constructed tunnels at St James station have been in continuous use as part of the City Circle since opening in 1926, but the other two were never put into service.
Minister for transport John Graham said: “These historic tunnels are more than just infrastructure; they are an expression of Sydney’s development as a modern, international city. These tunnels belong to the people of NSW, so it’s fantastic news that they’ll become another of our city’s great public spaces.”
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the St James Tunnels were “a window into our transport past, a snapshot of World War II history, and the efforts of the workers who built Sydney’s transport infrastructure”.
