Unsupported, unlined and 192 metres long, Boolboonda tunnel, built in 1883 - 1884, was the perfect place to visit for a learning experience, on this particular day when sitting down to learn wasn't, at all, working for the kids and I. Children, particularly boys, don't often enjoy learning while constantly being told to sit still and do as they are told. On these days, which honestly is more often than not, we will often go exploring and incorporate the necessary learning skills into a practical experience, this is usually very easy for us as we live full time in our little caravan and travel Australia. However, if you don't travel, it's still not hard to find places for kids to explore, even your own backyard or a walk down the street is enough to break the traditional schooling at a desk method.
Quite often our kids will want to read the information signs to find out what they are exploring or where they are, reading skills done. In this particular experience they had fun mapping out the length of the tunnel, maths done. History, science, geography, geology, physical education, Wow! The list goes on! We don't need a classroom to learn. Children thrive in practical, hands on, every day living experiences, if guided and directed to learn on the job.
The tunnel was constructed as part of the railway line from north Bundaberg to Mount Perry, with the objective of opening up the mineral and agricultural resources of the area. Construction of the railway line commenced at North Bundaberg in 1878.
The resident bats in the tunnel gave it a very eyre feel and a pretty gross smell, the sign said not to disturb the dust on the ground too much as the bats may carry a disease which habours in the dirt. It had been raining a lot a few days prior to our visit so the ground was all wet, not sure if this made it better or worse to breathe in, but I was happy there was no dust as the kids love to run, jump and sit in dirt, because it was wet and quite cold when we went they stayed on their feet.
The tunnel was very dark in the centre and a torch was definitely needed, although the kids all wanted to hold the torches and instead of staying with mum and dad they took off up in front and left us in the dark. While not being able to see where one foot after the other goes can be a little daunting, the upside, was a nice quiet walk, a moment we could be hand in hand guiding each other through darkness. A metaphor came to mind, we may go through a dark uncertain time in life but there is always light at the end of a tunnel. Another great aspect to teach our children and to be mindful of ourselves.