Heritage Railways
Victoria
Puffing Billy, Belgrave, Victoria
One of Victoria's most notable attraction is the heritage narrow gauge, steam-operated Puffing Billy Railway, which was reopened in 1962 - after four years of restoration by volunteers - and travels to Gembrook. The restored Puffing Billy steam train takes travellers on a memorable journey in the Dandenong Ranges, through 24 kilometres of cool temperate rainforest, lush ferns and towering timbers, semi-urban development and rural farmland.
Victorian Goldfields Railway, Maldon, Victoria
The Victorian Goldfields Railway is a 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge tourist railway in Victoria, Australia. It operates along a formerly disused branch line between the towns of Maldon and Castlemaine. The railway operates along a formerly disused branch line between the towns of Maldon and Castlemaine. The original line was opened on 16th June 1884, opening up rail access from the established station at Castlemaine to the towns of Muckleford and Maldon.
Bellarine Railway, Victoria
One of the most popular attractions on the Bellarine Peninsula, The Bellarine Railway operates on a 16 km section of a formerly disused 3 6 3 gauge branch line on the Bellarine Peninsula between the coastal town of Queenscliff and Drysdale, near Geelong. Trains run every Sunday of the year, some Saturdays and several days a week during school holidays.
Mornington Railway, Victoria
Mornington Railway is a heritage broad-gauge railway operating in the Mornington Peninsula between Moorooduc and Mornington. The Railway operates both Steam and Diesel heritage broad gauge locomotives and heritage passenger cars. Running days are normally the first three Sundays of each month.
Daylesford Spa Country Railway
Daylesford Spa Country Railway operates a tourist railway on a section of the closed and dismantled Daylesford line, and currently runs services between Daylesford and the hamlet of Bullarto. The volunteer-operated heritage railway run on a section of Victorian Railways 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) gauge track. The Daylesford Sunday Market operates each Sunday from 8am to 3pm at Daylesford Station.
Steamrail Victoria
Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria. The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops in suburban Melbourne. The Vintage Train operates weekend excursions to Victoria's far flung regions and short train rides around Melbourne's suburbs for families to re-live the golden age of steam.
Yarra Valley Railway
The Yarra Valley Railway is a heritage railway operating on a section of the former Healesville railway which operated between Lilydale and Healesville in the Yarra Valley area northeast of Melbourne. Train rides on the heritage Walker Railmotor depart Healesville Station hourly from 10am to 4pm every Sunday, Public Holiday and Wednesday during School Holidays. Location: 20 Healesville-Kinglake Rd, Healesville VIC 3777.
Walhalla Goldfields Railway
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway is a 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge tourist railway located in the Thomson River and Stringers Creek valleys in Gippsland, Victoria, near the former gold-mining town and tourist destination of Walhalla. A wonderful chance to take in some breathtaking scenery and the Walhalla Valley at a leisurely pace.
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway and Museum
A 2ft narrow gauge tourist railway with spectacular views of the whole of the Upper Goulburn Valley and beyond. Operates a 35 minute return train journey and steam locomotives museum. Location: 7523 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kerrisdale VIC 3660
South Australia
Pichi Richi Railway, Quorn, SA
In 1973, a group of railway enthusiasts assembled with the desire to preserve the unique bridges and stone work built in the previous century that formed the railway through the Pichi Richi Pass between Quorn and Stirling North. Thus the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society was formed. Although the intention was to just preserve the railway through the Pichi Richi Pass, they later acquired operable railway rollingstock and locomotives and today provide a tourist railway service through the Pichi Richi Pass from Quorn to Port Augusta.
SteamRanger Heritage Railway, Goolwa, SA
The SteamRanger Heritage Railway operates a number of different heritage steam and diesel hauled tourist trains between Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, up over the crest of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, down to Strathalbyn and on through the coastal holiday towns of Goolwa and Port Elliot to the tourist resort town of Victor Harbor. Trains operate on up to 140 days a year and are manned by volunteers from the Australian Railway Historical Society.
Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
The tramway is one of the very few horse-drawn tram routes remaining in public transit service anywhere in the world. It operates every day throughout the year except Christmas Day. Clydesdale horses pull up to three double-decker tramcars from the Victor Harbor foreshore 3.1 km to Granite Island via a bridge and causeway.
South Coast Wine Train Tours
Enjoy rail travel from yesteryear with a few wines from today, the South Coast Wine Train tour travels along the Steamranger Heritage Railway from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn and Currency Creek onwards to the South Coast town of Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia.
Tasmania
Don River Railway, Tasmania
Located on the outskirts of Devonport at the village of Don, The Don River Railway is one of the most enjoyable railway museums in Australia. Its focus is Tasmania's trains of yesteryear, and its sizeable display includes steam and diesel engines and other rolling stock that have played an important part in Tasmania's rail history. Don't miss the leisurely tourist train ride along the banks of the Don River to Coles Beach.
West Coast Wilderness Railway, Queenstown, Tasmania
One of the most popular attractions on the Bellarine Peninsula, The Bellarine Railway operates on a 16 km section of a formerly disused 3 6 3 gauge branch line on the Bellarine Peninsula between the coastal town of Queenscliff and Drysdale, near Geelong. Trains run every Sunday of the year, some Saturdays and several days a week during school holidays.
Tasmanian Transport Museum, Tasmania
Located in the Hobart suburb of Glenorchy, The Tasmanian Transport Museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting a collection relating to Tasmanian transport history including items such as locomotives, carriages and memorabilia. In 1979, after the cessation of passenger train services in Tasmania, the Museum purchased and moved the former New Town railway station building to the site in sections. The Museum hosts railcar and steam train rides along a section of track.
Redwater Creek Heritage Railway, Sheffield, Tas
Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society currently has over 1km of track. Its train is hauled by a 1906 Krauss 610mm gauge steam loco and consists of Tasmanian heritage coaches. Steam train rides operate on the first full weekend of every month from the original Sheffield railway station. Trains run every half hour from 11am until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Wee Georgie Wood Railway, Tullah, Tas
The Wee Georgie Wood Railway is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge tourist tramway running from Tullah, on a 1.9 km (1.2 mi) short track by the edge of Lake Rosebery. The originally 10 km (6.2 mi) long narrow gauge railway connected the North Mount Farrell mine and its associated township at Tullah with the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge Emu Bay Railway.
New South Wales
New South Wales Rail Museum, Thirlmere, NSW
The New South Wales Rail Museum has long been Australia's largest and oldest railway museum with over 125 railway exhibits. It is the home to many diesel and locomotives, including the famous and much-loved 3801. Steam train rides are available on Sundays except where there is a declared total fire ban, when trains are hauled by diesel locomotives. The Museum also operates excursion trains from Sydney to Thirlmere hauled by steam and/or diesel locomotives.
Paterson Rail Motor Museum, NSW
The Rail Motor Society, based at Paterson, New South Wales, is a community owned collection of preserved self-propelled railway vehicles and equipment from the former New South Wales Government Railways. The items in its collection date from 1923 through to 1972. The Society's Depot and Museum is situated in the old Goods Yard adjacent to Paterson Railway Station. This one hectare site is located on the north-western side of the North Coast Railway Line, 213 kilometres north of Sydney and 20 kilometres north of Maitland.
Illawarra Light Rail, NSW
The Illawarra Light Railway Museum operates a mainline 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge light railway, a miniature 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge railway, and a museum located near Albion Park Rail near Wollongong, south of Sydney. The Museum Society is volunteer operated and was first founded in 1972 and has some local historical railway buildings including the 1915 signal box from Otford (north of Wollongong).
Richmond Vale Railway Museum, NSW
Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located in an attractive bushland setting off Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale, approximately 4km south of the Hunter Valley township of Kurri Kurri. It is the only operating heritage railway north of the Hawkesbury. Trains run from 10:00am as required throughout the day. With a lunch break for the crew around noon. Trains run no later than 3:00pm. The return trip on Mulbring Road takes approximately twenty minutes. Times are subject to change without notice.
Lachlan Valley Railway Society, Cowra, NSW
The Lachlan Valley Railway Society is an Australian rail preservation society based in the New South Wales Central Western town of Cowra. It was established in 1974 to preserve and operate former New South Wales Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock. It operates regular heritage train tours to a variety of locations across New South Wales. The society's present complex houses more than 55 carriages and locomotives under cover, and is open to visits daily
Byron Bay Train, Byron Bay, NSW
The Byron Bay Train is a not-for-profit passenger rail service in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Since commencing in December 2017, it operates on a three-kilometre section of the disused Casino-Murwillumbah line. A 1949-built 600 class railcar was converted to solar power for use on the service. The three kilometre coastal track links the Byron Town Centre with the burgeoning North Beach precinct and Byron Arts Estate. The journey takes ten minutes one way or 25 return from North Beach Station.
Queensland
Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Woodford, Qld
The Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society operates a railway museum at the Woodford railway station. The society was established in January 1971 to preserve the history of narrow-gauge railways in Queensland. The society has collected steam, diesel and petrol locomotives and rollingstock using the 2-foot gauge and has established their Durundur railway at Woodford as an operating heritage line. The society operates a heritage train on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Downs Explorer, Warwick, Qld
Downs Explorer (originally known as Southern Downs Steam Railway) was founded in 1996, initially to restore the former Queensland Railways locomotive depot in Warwick. In 2000, a C17 class steam locomotive was purchased and restored to operational condition with passenger operations commencing in January 2009.
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway, Ipswich
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway operates a selection of steam and diesel locomotives with vintage timber carriages on its weekend operations. On the round trip you get to go to the lake for a picnic lunch or ride a heritage bus to old mining areas.
Location: T L Cooney Ave, Ipswich. Ph (07) 3103 0871.
Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway, Herberton, Qld
The Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway Inc. is a not for profit organisation formed, run and managed by a group of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to bringing a century year old railway back to life. A heritage train ride currently starts from Herberton Station towards the Wild River, crosses the main highway by way of a tunnel under Grace Street, crosses Prospectors Gully where the first tin ore was found, passes through sclerophyll forest while travelling through cuttings and across another gully. The ride ends at the Historic Village Herberton. Location: 29-27 Ellie St, Herberton, Qld
Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie
This historic 40km journey, in a restored C17 steam train, is an iconic experience that has you rattling along the track from Gympie, through the beautiful Mary Valley, to arrive in the quaint town of Amamoor. Here you can watch the train prepare for the return journey via the turntable and enjoy a short stay to explore before returning to Gympie Station.
Ravenshoe Steam Railway
Ravenshoe Steam Railway is located in the highest elevation town in Queensland, on the Evelyn Tableland South-west of Cairns in Far North Queensland. Volunteers run a restored 1925 D17 Ipswich-made Tank Engine which hauls a heritage train through rainforest along 7 km of track on the 90 year old Ravenshoe to Tumoulin line. Its destination is Tumoulin, the highest railway station in Queensland.
Australian Sugar Cane Railway
A charity-run 2-km. steam railway running along a restored track through Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, Runs Sundays, Wednesdays and public holidays 9am - 3.30pm. Operated by the Bundaberg Railway Museum. Location: 6 Mount Perry Road AL, Stewart Drive, Bundaberg North QLD 4670.
Western Australia
Hotham Valley Railway, Dwellingup, WA
The railway operates over a 32 kilometre section of the original Pinjarra to Narrogin railway line, and has its origins in a small group of enthusiasts who met together in 1974 with the object of preserving both Western Australian steam locomotives and the railway line itself, from Pinjarra at least as far as Dwellingup. Dwellingup is now the primary centre of Hotham Valley's operations. Today the railway operates both steam and diesel locomotive hauled trains on a variety of services and is staffed almost exclusively by volunteers.
South West Rail and Heritage Centre, Boyanup
The railway collection (locomotives, carriages and wagons) includes Leschenault Lady, steam locomotive H 18, bought in 1887 for the Bunbury-Boyanup railway, mobile museum van, carriages dating back to the 1890s, former Australind carriages, as well as diesel locomotives from Jardee Mill and Bunbury Power Station. Entry is free for under 18s. 19 years and over pay just $5. The South West Rail & Heritage Centre has regular open days, normally on the 4th Sunday of each month, with a special theme each time. Location: Turner Street Boyanup.
Bennet Brook Railway, Whiteman Park
The Bennett Brook Railway operates steam and diesel trains over six kilometres of 610mm narrow gauge track, providing a unique railway experience through the bushland of Whiteman Park. On weekends and public holidays, services are half hourly from the Village Junction Station and hourly from Mussel Pool. During the week, you can enjoy a scenic trip around the bushland loop, departing from the Village Junction Station on the hour on their operating days.
Pemberton Tramway, Pemberton
The Pemberton Tramway meanders through towering Karri and Marri forests; over trestle bridges spanning rivers and streams, passing a saw mill while following a narrow gauge track built to haul out of the forests round Pemberton. In spring (September and October) the forest is resplendent with wildflowers. The tram driver gives an informative commentary on the forest, railway line and history of the region. Trams stop at the Cascades with time to alight and experience the feel of the forest before returning to Pemberton.
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