Tickhole Tunnel

The Tickhole Tunnel, also called the Kotara (Tickhole) Railway Tunnel, is a heritage-listed double track railway tunnel that carries the Main Northern railway line beneath the Newcastle Inner City Bypass (A37) and is a diversion over the Tickhole Creek. The tunnel is located between Cardiff and Kotara stations in the City of Newcastle local government area of New South Wales, Australia.

The original 176 yd tunnel opened on 15 August 1887. It initially only had one track, but provision was made for the line to be duplicated which duly occurred in 1891. As part of the electrification of the line, in 1983 tenders were called for a second tunnel, of 205 m, completed in 1984. This second tunnel is used by southbound services, while the original tunnel once again became single track for northbound services.