Newspaper Articles

  • 1969-12-31 Lookout Point Tunnel
  • On Thursday, the 26th Sept. [1872], about three o'clock, the piercing of the Look-Out Point Tunnel was effected by the passing of a drill between the headings on each side, and at seven yesterday morning the whole of the heading was down, and a passage opened right through from Caversham to the Kaikorai Valley. The miners at each end met literally to an inch in line and levels, and, so far as can be at present ascertained, the distance is equally correct. As this is virtually the completion of the work, we give the following particulars regarding it :-: - The tunnel enters the range near Mr Thomson's property, Caversham, and passing almost under the Industrial School, comes out in the Kaikorai Valley near Mr Lawson's flax-mill. It is 43 chains or 946 yards long, 15 feet high, and 12 feet wide. It is all through solid sandstone, and there will be no lining except half a chain at each end, where the stone is subject to the action of frosts. The roof is a Gothic arch, that form being usually adopted in tunnels that are not lined. Read more >>


  • 2006-05-27 Tunnel Vision
  • Only the ghosts of steam trains past echo down a disused and, to many, forgotten rail tunnel that runs from Caversham to Kaikouri Valley. Dunedin City Council reporter DAVID LOUGHREY talks to a man who wants the tunnel to be used as a walk and cycle track. Read more >>


  • 2008-08-11 Promoted for access
  • Since 2005, Mr Hyland and fellow "Old Caversham Rail Tunnel" advocate Jane Bruce, of Dunedin, have developed plans for the disused 865m tunnel to be re-surfaced and lighting installed to provide bicycle and pedestrian access between Caversham and Green Island. Read more >>


  • 2008-08-19 Tunnel Opening Explored
  • THERE may be a glimmer of light at the end of the Caversham tunnel but Gerard Hyland is having trouble seeing it. Read more >>


  • 2008-10-28 Group has tunnel vision
  • Two tunnels 'great asset' as a Coast to Clyde trail. Read more >>


  • 2008-11-21 Push to get momentum
  • In 1907, Mr D. Reid petitioned the local council for public access; a similar proposal by the Dunedin Cyclist Coalition in 1978 had "merit" - now a Dunedin group is concerned plans to redevelop the disused Caversham Valley Rail Tunnel for cycle and pedestrian use will be ignored by the Dunedin City Council. Read more >>


  • 2008-11-26 Delays Frustrate
  • There are still no signs of action on a proposal to convert Dunedin's Caversham Valley rail tunnel for use by pedestrians and cyclists. Read more >>