Lapstone Hill Tunnel

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Help reopen Lapstone Hill Tunnel permanently

Lapstone Hill Tunnel is one of the Blue Mountains’ great hidden heritage assets.

For more than 130 years, this historic tunnel has formed part of the story of movement between Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Now, there is an opportunity to bring it back into public use as a safe, accessible and inspiring destination for walking, cycling, heritage, recreation and events.

Reopening the tunnel would create a new active transport and recreation link between Western Sydney and the Lower Blue Mountains, support local businesses, improve cyclist safety, celebrate local heritage and give the community access to a unique public place.

Blue Mountains City Council is asking for public investment in the works needed to reopen Lapstone Hill Tunnel permanently, and we need your help to make it happen.

Show your support

Subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed by clicking on the button on the top right of this page (or below if you are on a phone) and show your support for reopening the Lapstone Hill Tunnel precinct. You’ll get updates on project progress and future opportunities to experience Lapstone Hill Tunnel.

Your support will help Council make the case for funding to complete the works needed to safely open the tunnel to the public.

A tunnel through time. A gateway for the future.

Blue Mountains City Council has already undertaken significant planning, remediation and activation work to bring Lapstone Hill Tunnel closer to reopening.

2018: Council adopted the Scenic Eastern Escarpment Master Plan, establishing a long-term vision for the area and identifying the tunnel’s potential as a heritage, recreation and active transport asset.

2022: Council partnered with NSW Crown Lands to assess the viability of reopening the tunnel and progress the remediation works required to make the site safe.

2023: Council completed major remediation works, including the removal of approximately 1,700 tonnes of material from the former mushroom farm operation, including hazardous material.

2024: Council progressed the next stage of planning and activation, including completion of a Conservation Management Plan, precinct concept plans and a Tourism and Economic Impact Study.

We sought community feedback on a series of future designs for the tunnel, and how to showcase the cultural and heritage significance of the precinct.
Download the Community Consultation Report report here.
Download the report’s Appendix here.

Council held the first community open days on 7 and 8 December 2024, giving around 1,500 people the opportunity to walk or ride through the tunnel and celebrate the remediation works.

2025: Major flooding in the precinct meant further technical review and repair works were needed. Council worked with NSW Crown Lands and Sydney Water to complete flood review and drainage plans and undertook remediation works to repair flood damage.

Council completed detailed design for the broader precinct and applied (unsuccessfully) to the Australian Government Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program for completion of the precinct works.

2026: Council is continuing to activate the tunnel and demonstrate its long-term potential through lighting and electrical upgrades to the tunnel and three more community open days in July and August. Find out about the open days here.

Strengthening Eastern Escarpment Connections

Council has also continued to invest in the wider Eastern Escarpment precinct, improving access, amenity and recreation connections around the tunnel. Works completed or progressed include:

• Accessible trail works and reconstruction of Top Points Lookout

• Walking trail upgrades from Elizabeth Lookout to Knapsack Bridge

• Walking trail upgrades from Lennox Bridge to Elizabeth Lookout

• New sporting amenities and parking at Knapsack Oval.

Together, these works are building the foundation for Lapstone Hill Tunnel to become a landmark gateway destination for the Lower Blue Mountains, connecting heritage, nature, recreation and active transport.

TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PERMANENT REOPENING OF LAPSTONE HILL TUNNEL: Click on the 'Stay Informed' button on the top right of this page (or below if you are on a phone). You’ll get updates on project progress and future opportunities to experience Lapstone Hill Tunnel.

Help reopen Lapstone Hill Tunnel permanently

Lapstone Hill Tunnel is one of the Blue Mountains’ great hidden heritage assets.

For more than 130 years, this historic tunnel has formed part of the story of movement between Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Now, there is an opportunity to bring it back into public use as a safe, accessible and inspiring destination for walking, cycling, heritage, recreation and events.

Reopening the tunnel would create a new active transport and recreation link between Western Sydney and the Lower Blue Mountains, support local businesses, improve cyclist safety, celebrate local heritage and give the community access to a unique public place.

Blue Mountains City Council is asking for public investment in the works needed to reopen Lapstone Hill Tunnel permanently, and we need your help to make it happen.

Show your support

Subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed by clicking on the button on the top right of this page (or below if you are on a phone) and show your support for reopening the Lapstone Hill Tunnel precinct. You’ll get updates on project progress and future opportunities to experience Lapstone Hill Tunnel.

Your support will help Council make the case for funding to complete the works needed to safely open the tunnel to the public.

A tunnel through time. A gateway for the future.

Blue Mountains City Council has already undertaken significant planning, remediation and activation work to bring Lapstone Hill Tunnel closer to reopening.

2018: Council adopted the Scenic Eastern Escarpment Master Plan, establishing a long-term vision for the area and identifying the tunnel’s potential as a heritage, recreation and active transport asset.

2022: Council partnered with NSW Crown Lands to assess the viability of reopening the tunnel and progress the remediation works required to make the site safe.

2023: Council completed major remediation works, including the removal of approximately 1,700 tonnes of material from the former mushroom farm operation, including hazardous material.

2024: Council progressed the next stage of planning and activation, including completion of a Conservation Management Plan, precinct concept plans and a Tourism and Economic Impact Study.

We sought community feedback on a series of future designs for the tunnel, and how to showcase the cultural and heritage significance of the precinct.
Download the Community Consultation Report report here.
Download the report’s Appendix here.

Council held the first community open days on 7 and 8 December 2024, giving around 1,500 people the opportunity to walk or ride through the tunnel and celebrate the remediation works.

2025: Major flooding in the precinct meant further technical review and repair works were needed. Council worked with NSW Crown Lands and Sydney Water to complete flood review and drainage plans and undertook remediation works to repair flood damage.

Council completed detailed design for the broader precinct and applied (unsuccessfully) to the Australian Government Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program for completion of the precinct works.

2026: Council is continuing to activate the tunnel and demonstrate its long-term potential through lighting and electrical upgrades to the tunnel and three more community open days in July and August. Find out about the open days here.

Strengthening Eastern Escarpment Connections

Council has also continued to invest in the wider Eastern Escarpment precinct, improving access, amenity and recreation connections around the tunnel. Works completed or progressed include:

• Accessible trail works and reconstruction of Top Points Lookout

• Walking trail upgrades from Elizabeth Lookout to Knapsack Bridge

• Walking trail upgrades from Lennox Bridge to Elizabeth Lookout

• New sporting amenities and parking at Knapsack Oval.

Together, these works are building the foundation for Lapstone Hill Tunnel to become a landmark gateway destination for the Lower Blue Mountains, connecting heritage, nature, recreation and active transport.

TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PERMANENT REOPENING OF LAPSTONE HILL TUNNEL: Click on the 'Stay Informed' button on the top right of this page (or below if you are on a phone). You’ll get updates on project progress and future opportunities to experience Lapstone Hill Tunnel.

Page last updated: 27 Jul 2026, 01:25 PM