Helensburgh NSW 2508
Helensburgh Railway Station Reserve
Last updated 6 August 2026
Visitor note — August 2026
Helensburgh Station Reserve is managed by Helensburgh and District Landcare. After fencing and closures from 2018–2020 to protect the glow worm colony, Landcare reported the protective gate and fence were later removed (local reporting March 2025) once the colony recovered.
This is still a fragile heritage site — not a staffed tourist park with set hours. No lights or flash on the colony, no smoke or insect spray in the tunnel, keep noise down, take rubbish. Full guide: Metropolitan Tunnel (Glow Worm Tunnel).
About Helensburgh Station Reserve
The Helensburgh Station Reserve (Crown Reserve No. 1039211) protects one of Australia's most remarkable railway heritage sites — the remains of the original Helensburgh railway station, two historic tunnels, and surrounding bushland.
Gazetted: 21 December 2018 (NSW Government Gazette No. 144)
Purpose: Passive recreation, heritage, and environmental protection
Crown land manager: Helensburgh and District Landcare Group Inc
What's in the reserve
- Metropolitan Tunnel (Tunnel No. 4) — the famous glow worm tunnel. Full guide →
- Helensburgh Tunnel (Tunnel No. 3) — shorter companion tunnel. More info →
- Original station platform — excavated and partially restored (1995 onwards)
- Porcupine Track and adjacent bushland
- Railway station car park area
The site is heritage-listed. The tunnels and platform remnants are no longer in RailCorp/Transport for NSW ownership — they are Crown land managed by Landcare on behalf of the community.
History of the reserve
In June 2018, a fence and gate were installed after reports of heritage vandalism and damage to the glow worm colony from torches, noise, flares and graffiti.
On 21 December 2018, the NSW Government established the reserve and appointed Landcare as Crown land managers — giving the group powers similar to a landowner, including the ability to make by-laws.
Landcare's first actions were to officially name the reserve Helensburgh Station Reserve, then close the Metropolitan Tunnel for four weeks in January 2019 during glow worm breeding season. While most visitors respected the closure, some trespassed — including one group who set off a firecracker inside the tunnel.
Further closures followed in 2020 due to flooding and ongoing conservation needs. The glow worm colony in the shorter Helensburgh Tunnel was lost after graffiti vandalism on tunnel walls.
By March 2025, Landcare reported the Metropolitan Tunnel colony had recovered under protection. The fence and gate were removed (discussed publicly by Merilyn House of Helensburgh Landcare; film production nearby had also sought fence removal). Educational signage and a bin support better visitor behaviour. Conditions can still change — always follow on-site signs.
"Landcare is determined to save this colony from extinction… We welcome community feedback." — Merilyn House, March 2019
Video — walking the reserve
I filmed this footage on a winter's day in June — ambient sounds from the bush, no music or narration:
How to get there
Address: Tunnel Road / Vera Street area, Helensburgh NSW 2508
By train: Helensburgh Station on the South Coast line — the reserve is a short walk from the current station. Sydney suburban services terminate at Waterfall; change there for Helensburgh.
By car: Street parking near Tunnel Road. Toilets available at Helensburgh railway station and the Helensburgh swimming pool.
Before you visit: Check Helensburgh Landcare for current access conditions. Respect neighbours, keep noise down, and never use insect repellent, flash photography or smoking near glow worms.
Related pages
With thanks to Merilyn House for her contribution to this article.