Spray Tunnel and Comstock Tramways

The Spray Tunnel and Comstock Tramways, just outside Zeehan on Tasmania’s West Coast, offer a fascinating 6 km mountain bike and walking route through one of the region’s historic mining landscapes. The ride follows sections of four interconnected former mining tramways, travelling over compacted-earth tracks through forest and old mine workings before reaching the remarkable Spray Tunnel. The highlight is undoubtedly the Spray Tunnel, a narrow, keyhole-shaped former railway tunnel cut through the hillside to transport ore from the Spray Silver Mine. Official tourism information describes it as approximately 100 m long, 3 m high and 2.2 m wide. Inside, it becomes extremely dark and glow-worms can sometimes be seen on the tunnel ceiling, making riding or walking through it one of the more unusual rail-trail experiences in Tasmania. Beyond the tunnel, riders can continue along the old tramway towards Comstock, passing through a landscape filled with remnants of Zeehan’s mining boom. Old mine sites, abandoned boilers, tramway cuttings and other industrial relics remain scattered throughout the area. The tramway surfaces are generally compacted but conditions can become muddy, puddled and rough, particularly given the West Coast’s high rainfall. The trail can also be incorporated into a much bigger MTB ride. A popular Spray Tunnel–Oonah Hill loop of around 15 km combines the historic tramways with purpose-built mountain bike trail, climbing into the open buttongrass country before descending back towards Zeehan. The surrounding Silver City MTB Trails now provide even more options for extending a visit into a full day of riding. RTS Tip: Take a bike light or good torch — the Spray Tunnel gets deceptively dark in the middle, and having a light also gives you a chance to spot the glow-worms overhead. Stay on the established route around the old mining areas, as historic mine shafts and workings remain in the landscape. For a bigger adventure, combine the tramways with Oonah Hill and the Silver City MTB network, but download your maps first and be prepared for rapidly changing West Coast weather.