Laheys Tramway Tunnel: Early timber transport infrastructure

Constructed between 1901 and 1903, Laheys Tramway Tunnel in Canungra is a surviving remnant of Queensland's early timber industry. Excavated by hand through 90 meters of solid sandstone, the tunnel allowed a private narrow-gauge tramway to transport massive hardwood logs from the surrounding forests to the Lahey family's Canungra sawmill. Today, the heritage-listed structure remains an intact physical footprint of the heavy manual labor required to maintain early 20th-century logging supply chains.

Engineering history and military repurposing

Built to navigate the steep terrain of the Scenic Rim, the tramway relied on specialized geared steam locomotives to haul timber out of the valleys. When local timber reserves diminished and the sawmill closed in 1933, the tracks were dismantled. However, the tunnel's robust sandstone construction ensured its survival. During World War II, the secure and sheltered environment of the tunnel was temporarily repurposed as an ammunition dump for the nearby Kokoda Barracks military training camp. Now heavily weathered, the exposed sandstone walls and dark interior offer a direct look at the industrial engineering of the era.

Accessing the site

Located just outside the township of Canungra, the tunnel is accessible via a short pedestrian track. While the interior is now securely fenced off for public safety reasons, visitors can walk the original tramway alignment to view the main entrance portals. The surrounding bushland and surviving earthworks provide a clear view of the logistical effort required to extract timber from the hinterland prior to modern road transport.

For complete access details, regional history, and a guide to other heritage locations across the state, grab a copy of our Hidden Gems Queensland guide here: https://earthboundguides.com/products/hidden-gems-queensland