Hidden in dense bush, just beyond the edge of a forgotten trail, lies a structure few New Zealanders even know exists.
Once a vital part of Nelson’s transport history, this abandoned railway tunnel was sealed off and left to nature — silent, dark, and undisturbed.
That is, until now.
A group of urban explorers recently made their way inside for the first time in decades.
What they found?
Dust-covered history. Cold air. And a few surprises no one expected.
The tunnel that time forgot
Built in the early 1900s as part of the long-defunct Nelson–Glenhope railway line, the tunnel was one of several constructed to connect the isolated region to the rest of the South Island.
But the railway project was plagued with problems.
Delays. Budget overruns. Shifting priorities.
By the time the government pulled the plug in the mid-20th century, the tracks had barely reached their intended destination.
The result?
A few stretches of rail, some crumbling platforms, and this tunnel — carved through rock, bricked at both ends, and left behind.
“We used to ride our bikes nearby as kids,” says Michael T., a local now in his 60s.
“But no one ever went inside. It was always just… there. Part of the landscape.”
Over time, the entrance was overgrown.
A rusted gate appeared.
Locals moved on.
And the tunnel faded from memory.
What’s inside?
This year, after coordinating with the current landowners, a small team of explorers gained temporary access to the tunnel.
It hadn’t been entered — legally or otherwise — in at least 40 years.
So what did they find?
- Old sleepers still embedded in the floor, damp and moss-covered
- Remnants of cabling, likely used for early communication systems
- Rust marks where tools or machinery had once been stored
- And in the deepest section: complete darkness and absolute silence
“You could hear your own heartbeat,” says Sam, one of the explorers.
“It wasn’t scary — just strangely peaceful. Like time had stopped in there.”
Though nothing dramatic was uncovered — no graffiti, no wild animals, no forgotten artifacts — the sheer atmosphere of the place was striking.
And perhaps more importantly, it raised a question:
Why has no one preserved this piece of local history?
A look at the Nelson–Glenhope line (then vs now):
| Feature | Early 1900s | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel usage | Part of proposed regional railway | Abandoned, inaccessible |
| Track infrastructure | Wooden sleepers, manual signals | Removed or decayed |
| Regional value | Viewed as strategic investment | Forgotten except by historians |
| Government support | Initially strong, later withdrawn | None |
| Current condition | Structurally intact, unused | Overgrown, closed to public |
Should it stay hidden?
Some argue the tunnel should be sealed again.
Others — including local heritage groups — believe it should be preserved, studied, or even reopened for guided access.
But for now, it remains as it is:
A dark, echoing reminder of a railway that never fulfilled its promise.
“This tunnel doesn’t lead anywhere anymore,” says explorer Jamie W.,
“But it tells a story. And that’s worth something.”
