Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel, Molendinar: Gold Coast Rail History
Built between 1885 and 1889 as part of the South Coast railway, the Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel is one of the last pieces of the line that once linked Brisbane with the Gold Coast. It carried passengers and freight until the line closed in 1964. Today the heritage-listed tunnel is still standing, a reminder of 19th-century railway engineering in Queensland. It's one of the stops in our Hidden Gems Queensland guide.
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Ernest Junction Tunnel History
The 114-metre tunnel has a semi-elliptical, concrete-lined arch and concrete portals. It was one of the first tunnels in Queensland to be lined with concrete rather than brick. Building it took a great deal of manual labour to keep a workable gradient for the steam locomotives of the day. During World War II the South Coast line carried American troops on leave to camps at Coolangatta. When the line closed in 1964 the tracks were lifted, but the tunnel itself was left in place.
Can You Visit the Ernest Junction Tunnel?
The tunnel is in the Gold Coast suburb of Molendinar, surrounded by active industrial land. It's a closed former rail tunnel and the interior isn't open to the public, so view it only from public areas. Please don't enter the tunnel or the surrounding industrial land. Access can change, so check the current situation before you go.
Ernest Junction Tunnel FAQs
Where is the Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel?
In Molendinar on the Gold Coast, on the old South Coast railway line between Brisbane and the coast.
Can you walk through the Ernest Junction Tunnel?
No. It's a closed former rail tunnel and the interior isn't open to the public. View it from public areas only.
How long is the Ernest Junction Tunnel?
It's 114 metres long, with a concrete-lined arch.
When did the Ernest Junction Tunnel close?
The South Coast line closed in 1964 and the tracks were lifted, but the tunnel was left standing.
For more heritage sites across the state, grab a copy of our Hidden Gems Queensland guide.
