A secret network of dilapidated railway tunnels sits undisturbed in the underground of Sydney’s St James Station.

Part of an abandoned 1920’s plan for a train link between Sydney and the Northern Beaches, the tunnels have sat in a state of disrepair for quite some time. Though designated as an air raid shelter during World War Two, the tunnels have remained an untouched relic of the bygone era since, with their existence unknown and unrecognised. 

But under a new NSW Government plan blueprint, this might be set to change.

The tunnel network could now become a string of vibrant bars, restaurants and retail space, in a bid to inject a new dose of tourism into the state’s capital.

“We have an incredible length of tunnel which extends down Macquarie Street to the Botanic Gardens and in the southern direction, down to the corner of College and Liverpool street. It’s a massive space,” says NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance.

“We want to open it up, we want to recognise it and we want to see that heritage recognised.”

“It’d be wonderful if someone could put an old train carriage in there and turn it into a bar, a restaurant, potentially an opportunity for retail and commercial opportunities.”

“So we’ve agreed that over the next month we’ll put out an expression of interest internationally and here in Australia and invite everybody to come forward with their ideas.”

“We might see some really interesting things.”

A secret network of dilapidated railway tunnels sits undisturbed in the underground of Sydney&rsquo;s St James Station.
Part of an abandoned 1920&rsquo;s plan for a train link between Sydney and the Northern Beaches, the tunnels have sat in a state of disrepair for quite some time. Though designated as an air raid shelter during World War Two, the tunnels have remained an untouched relic of the bygone era since, with their&nbsp;existence&nbsp;unknown and unrecognised.&nbsp;
But under a new NSW Government plan blueprint, this might be set to change.
The tunnel network could now become a string of vibrant bars, restaurants and retail space, in a bid to inject a new dose of tourism into the state&rsquo;s capital.
&ldquo;We have an incredible length of tunnel which extends down Macquarie Street to the Botanic Gardens and in the southern direction, down to the corner of College and Liverpool street. It&rsquo;s a massive space,&rdquo; says NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance.
&ldquo;We want to open it up, we want to recognise it and we want to see that heritage recognised.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;d be wonderful if someone could put an old train carriage in there and turn it into a bar, a restaurant, potentially an opportunity for retail and commercial opportunities.&rdquo;
&ldquo;So we&rsquo;ve agreed that over the next month we&rsquo;ll put out an expression of interest internationally and here in Australia and invite everybody to come forward with their ideas.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We might see some really interesting things.&rdquo;

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