Dularcha Tunnel

Dularcha National Park contains a significant piece of regional infrastructure, the Dularcha tunnel. This 93-metre long curved tunnel was constructed in 1891 as part of the original railway line connecting Brisbane to Gympie. Located near Mount Mellum, the site offers a relatively flat trail suitable for multiple fitness levels. The interior of the tunnel provides a cool environment and serves as a roosting site for small insectivorous bats. Visitors can access the track from designated entry points that lead through open eucalypt forest and rainforest remnants. The area surrounding the tunnel is a popular destination for outdoor recreation on the Sunshine Coast. It sits within a short driving distance of the Glass House Mountains, allowing visitors to combine multiple natural attractions in one trip. The shared-use paths are maintained for walkers, mountain bikers, and horse riders, following the old railway corridor. This heritage-listed site preserves the engineering history of the region while providing a protected space for local flora and fauna to thrive within the national park boundaries.