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- South Coast Rail Trail and Ernest Jtn Tunnel
South Coast Rail Trail and Ernest Jtn Tunnel - Trail Description
Trail
South Coast Rail Trail and Ernest Jtn Tunnel
| Type: | Rail trail |
| Location: | Gold Coast, 60km from Brisbane |
| Start/end: | Molendinar to to Southport and Tweed Heads |
| Status: | Partially open |
| Length open: | 0.75km |
| Surface: | Coarse gravel, Sealed |
| Best seasons: | All Year |
| Public transport: | Train, Coach, Bus, Tram |
| Features: | tourist |
| Contact Region: | S.E. Queensland |
Details
Description
Ernest Juction Tunnel to Southport
The former Southport railway line branched off the main line to Tweed Heads at a station called Ernest Junction just South of the tunell.
The Southport Branch line headed generally east, across Activity Crescent, then along what is now Smith St. Motorway beside the Griffith University. The line crossed Wardoo St, Ewan St and George St. beside what is now St. Hilda's School then across High St. to the old Southport station situated at current Southport Bus interchange.
Parts of this former line are accessible on foot. These sections are mainly west of the Parklands Drive/Smith St intersection.
The tunnel itself is curved, preventing one end from being seen from the other and has been described as 'spooky'.
Currumbin Rail Bridge
The bridge was constructed in 1903 as part of the South Coast railway line.
The Currumbin Creek rail bridge is a 21 span, 173 metre long steel railway bridge. It is one of only three examples that still exist of infrastructure associated with the original railway line and the only structurally complete bridge still in existence on the line. It was closed to rail traffic in the mid 1960s and became primarily utilised to support a number of utility services (water and sewer) whilst simultaneously functioning as a narrow pedestrian bridge
The bridge was upgraded in 1994 to a dedicated pedestrian bridge by relocating the utility services and replacing the original timber railway sleepers with plywood decking, asphalt surfacing and pedestrian barriers.
In 2016 the Gold Coast City Council provided $3 million to repair and upgrade this historic rail bridge again.
Access to this bridge is via the Currumbin RSL car park ,165 Diringan Street or via Palm Beach Currumbin Sports club car park, 2 Guineas Creek Rd, Palm Beach.
Links
Visit the friends of the tunell Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ErnestJunction
If you would like to jion the working group please email.
Judith deboertj@optusnet.com.au
July 2017
To advertise your rail trail support business on this page, please click here.
Contact Us About This Trail
Email or click here: qld@railtrails.org.au.
Photos
South Coast Rail Trail and Ernest Jtn Tunnel - Photos
Comments
Comments
06 May , 2014 by judithdeboer
We are starting up a "friends of...." group here on the Gold Coast to clean up and gently monitor the Ernest Junction Tunnel. Anyone who is interested could get in touch with me on deboertj@optusnet.com.au.
News
News
Join us to celebrate the renewal of Currumbin’s 113-year-old ex-railway bridge. (South Coast Rail Trail, Gold Coast)
(Posted: 24/11/16)
Join the Gold Caost City Council to celebrate the renewal of Currumbin’s 113-year-old ex-railway bridge.
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