Picton Tunnel Where Shadows Linger
Imagine stepping into a damp, abandoned railway tunnel at the edge of a sleepy Australian town. The daylight behind you shrinks to a pinprick, swallowed by inky darkness. The air is cool and still; a sharp cold breeze suddenly whispers through the blackness, raising goosebumps on your arms. In the silence, every drip of moisture from the mossy brick walls echoes like a footstep. Your heart skips – was that a faint cry in the distance, or just the wind? Welcome to the Picton Tunnel in New South Wales, a place where ghostly legends and paranormal tales thrive in the gloom.
From Train Tracks to Mushroom Tunnel
The Picton Tunnel, originally built in 1867 for the Great Southern Railway, is a 180-metre-long brick passage carved through the Redbank Range. By 1919, it was abandoned in favor of a new route. During World War II, the military repurposed the tunnel to store ammunition and chemical weapons, including mustard gas. Later, it became known locally as the Mushroom Tunnel, when locals began growing mushrooms in its damp interior.
Yet the tunnel’s most enduring legacy isn’t agricultural or military — it’s supernatural. With reports of ghost sightings, eerie voices, sudden cold spots, and ghostly lights, it has earned Picton a reputation as Australia’s most haunted town.
The Ghost of Emily Bollard
The most well-known spirit tied to picton tunnel is that of Emily Bollard. In 1916, Emily was reportedly struck and killed by a train while walking through the tunnel. Some say it was suicide, others insist it was a tragic accident. Regardless, many believe her spirit still lingers.
Witnesses often report seeing a woman in white drifting silently through the tunnel. Some say she has no face — her features a blurred void. Visitors speak of encountering an icy chill and hearing faint sobs. Paranormal investigators have even captured EVP recordings of crying or whispers in the empty darkness.
Hauntings and Unseen Presences
Emily isn’t the only presence said to dwell in the Mushroom Tunnel. Over the years, people have reported:
- Floating orbs of light
- Shadowy figures moving along tunnel walls
- Disembodied voices and footsteps
- Children’s laughter, despite no record of child deaths in the tunnel
One legend speaks of a phantom train: a roaring sound and blinding light like an oncoming locomotive — but no train ever appears. Multiple ghost tours have recorded this experience, describing a rush of wind and vibrations in the ground, as if the past is briefly reliving itself.
Ghost Tours and Paranormal Evidence
Ghost hunters and urban explorers have long visited the tunnel. Investigators have reported:
- Camera malfunctions and drained batteries
- EVP recordings of a woman crying or whispering
- Visual sightings of shadowy figures or mist-like forms
- Physical sensations — like being pushed, touched, or chilled to the bone
One notable account describes a woman being shoved from behind and a camera zooming in and out uncontrollably as a deep, male voice growled: “Go away!”
Tour Ban and Legacy
For years, local historian Liz Vincent hosted ghost tours through the Picton Tunnel, drawing hundreds of curious visitors each week. However, due to safety concerns and local complaints, tours were banned in 2011. The tunnel entrances are now gated and marked with warning signs.
Despite this, the legends endure. Paranormal researchers still secure occasional access, and whispers of hauntings continue to circulate. From faceless women to phantom locomotives, the Picton Tunnel remains a powerful focal point for supernatural folklore in Australia.
Sources & Further Reading
Ghost Towns Australia – Picton Railway Tunnel
Provides historical context and personal accounts related to the Picton Railway Tunnel.
https://ghosttownsaustralia.weebly.com/picton-railway-tunnel.html
CVLT Nation – Welcome to Picton: The Most Haunted Town in Australia
Discusses various paranormal activities reported in Picton, focusing on the Mushroom Tunnel.
https://cvltnation.com/welcome-picton-haunted-town-australia/
Haunted Auckland – Picton Mushroom Tunnel
An exploration of the tunnel’s haunted past and its significance in paranormal circles.
https://hauntedauckland.com/site/picton-mushroom-tunnel/
NSW Government – Mushroom Tunnel
Official information about the Mushroom Tunnel, its history, and current status.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/mushroom-tunnel
Dangerous Roads – The Cursed Mushroom Tunnel of Picton
Discusses the eerie aspects and legends associated with the Mushroom Tunnel.
https://www.dangerousroads.org/australia-and-oceania/australia/4990-mushroom-tunnel.html
Mamamia – Why Picton is Known as the Most Haunted Town in Australia
Explores the various haunted locations in Picton and the stories behind them.
https://www.mamamia.com.au/picton-hauntings/Mamamia