It’s said there are nearly 100 Klms of tunnels in the cliffs near The 3 Sisters, Katoomba. Coal mining began in that area in 1878 and there were about 40 mines at various times.
The mining history in the Jamison Valley, Katoomba around the Scenic Railway and Narrow Neck is incredible. One of the early achievements was the construction of the Mt Rennie Tunnel.
Mt Rennie Tunnel looks scary
The Tunnel network is extensive
The Mt Rennie Tunnel runs under Narrow Neck Plateau, connecting the Megalong Valley with the Jamison Valley.
It was built so oil shale from the Glen Shale Mine could be transported to the railway using the existing cable haulage facility, the Katoomba Incline, in the JamisonValley.
The tunnel is about 3 metres wide and about 1.2 metres high for most of its length. It was just large enough for the double track tramway. It looks like the tunnel was dug from both ends. The Megalong Valley side is slightly lower. There is a larger space in the tunnel where the 2 levels meet.
The tramway ran between the Mount Rennie tunnel through Narrow Neck and the Daylight Tunnel through the Katoomba coal mine.
When mining was finished the Mt Rennie Tunnel portals were blocked.
In parts the Mt Rennie Tunnel is very low
There is rusty coloured water throughout the Mt Rennie Tunnel
At times the water goes above your knees.
It’s hard to imagine workers going through the Mt Rennie Tunnel
The tunnel is ABANDONED and UNSAFE .
Sources:
Images
Mountain Mist Books
Dingo Gap
Rennies Tunnel Blogspot
Community Spirit of Photography
Explore Oz
