Picton Mushroom Tunnel could become new weekend tourist attraction

PICTON’S historic Mushroom Tunnel could soon be reopened to the public as a weekend tourist attraction, after Wollondilly councillors recently agreed to investigate the option.

The late Liz Vincent previously ran Ghost tours in the tunnel. Picture: Robert Pozo

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PICTON’S historic Mushroom Tunnel could soon be reopened to the public as a weekend tourist attraction, after Wollondilly councillors recently agreed to investigate the option.

Councillor Michael Banasik’s proposal to investigate the reopening of the tunnel received unanimous support from other councillors.

Cr Banasik said he hoped the tunnel could be restored from its “dilapidated” state and opened during daylight hours on weekends.

Currently the tunnel is only accessible during limited hours throughout the week.

“The Picton Railway Tunnel, also known as the Mushroom Tunnel is one of the oldest in NSW, ”Cr Banasik said.

“It has its 150th birthday this year and had a lot of interesting history during World War II.”

The Mushroom Tunnel was originally part of a train line. Picture: Supplied

The former mayor said ghost tours previously held at the site had been both good and bad for the community, but had helped put Picton on the tourism map.

“I’m not suggesting we reopen the ghost tours but it’s a wonderful place that should be used,” he said.

“I see this as a good project for the tourism committee and I think it will be quite easy to get a grant to clean up all the graffiti and rubbish.”

The Mushroom Tunnel is mostly closed to the public, but was previously the site of ghost tours. Picture: Ian Svegovic

Councillors agreed the tunnel could be put to better use, but said they would not support reopening the tunnel after dark or without proper regulation.

“Anything that promotes tourism is a good idea but I don’t believe we would simply be able to just open this tunnel on weekends,” Cr Blair Briggs said.

“I would not like to see unfettered access to the area; we may need an operator to regulate hours and numbers.”

Cr Matt Gould said the move would fit it with council’s current focus on tourism for Wollondilly shire.

“It would be a bit hypocritical to keep it locked up and not find a way to better use it,” he said.

The late Liz Vincent conducted successful ghost tours of the tunnel, said to be haunted, for many years, with tourists travelling from across Australia and overseas to join in the activity.

A report will be submitted to the tourism committee.