Travel Australia

National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, SA

The National Railway Museum rivals Trainworks at Thirlemere, NSW, as Australia's largest and most comprehensive railway museum. With over 100 exhibits representing state, Commonwealth and private railway operators on the three major rail gauges used in Australia, this museum would have to be a Mecca for railway enthusiasts in Australia. Its displays include dozens of locomotives (steam and diesel), carriages and rolling stock from all eras, from the Broken Hill-Silverton ore-carrying tramway and Tea and Sugar trains of the Nullarbor Plain through to the blue ribbon Trans-Australian and Central Australian Railway express services.



A narrow gauge train circles the complex, taking visitors on rides; a large model railway depicts South Australia's sea ports, the open plains, country towns, the Adelaide Hills, suburbia, and even a break of gauge station. The museum was sited in the former Port Dock railway station. A significant change in 2001 was the opening of the Commonwealth Railways display pavilion. Visitors can ride in historic railway and custom-built narrow gauge carriages. Bub, a 457 mm steam locomotive, and Ken, a 457 mm diesel locomotive, take passengers on a loop track around the two main pavilions.

Another 457 mm steam locomotive, Bill, is used for some of the year on a seafront rail line between Semaphore and Fort Glanville Conservation Park. Peronne, a narrow gauge steam locomotive, is used for further runs during special events. This locomotive was built in 1919 and used by Broken Hill Associated Smelters at Port Pirie until 1964.

The museum has track and trains representing all three main rail gauges used in South Australia: broad (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in); standard (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1 D2 in); and narrow (1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in). Locomotives and rail stock fill two large display pavilions, and are accompanied by other historic railway related displays. On site is the South Australian Heritage Register listed Port Dock Goods Shed, the last remaining building from the former railway station. It was built in the 1870s and showcases the wooden construction techniques used by the South Australian Railways in the 19th century. The museum has a railway-related retail shop, hosts special events including an Annual Friends of Thomas show. The 1947 cafeteria car, or the entire site, can be hired. Entry fees apply.

Location: Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, 20 km north-west of Adelaide.
How to get there: by car, drive north along Port Rd; by rail, take the train to Port Adelaide station and walk north along Commercial Rd. Mornington. There is also a small station at Tanti, which is midway between the two main stations. There is ample free parking available at all stations.
Contact: (08) 8341 1690