The Cockle Train
The Cockle Train runs between Victor Harbor and Goolwa in South Australia, about a 1.5 hr drive south of Adelaide. The train makes the round trip of 40 km being hauled by vintage steam locomotives.

One of the highlights along the route is the stretch of track that follows the beach and offers views over the Southern Ocean. The South Australian Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society is a non-profit organization which runs the Cockle Train, thus all the maintenance and operating staff are volunteers. The Society is dedicated to the preservation of South Australia's Railway heritage.

The Cockle train runs on weekends and most school holidays - tourist traffic only!

For further information:
Steam Ranger Cockle Train (08) 8391 1223
South Australia Travel Centre 1 800 805 153

Gulflander
The Gulflander Railmotor travels between Normanton and Croydon in North Queensland, about 700km west of Cairns. It is one of Australia's more isolated, but unique, train journeys. It's a triumph of bush engineering and runs on a straight piece of track with no connections - fifty k's an hour from nowhere to nowhere.

The train departs Normanton every Wednesday at 8:30 am and arrives at Croydon at 1:00 pm. The return trip is done on Thursday with the train departing Croydon at 8:30 am and arriving in Normanton at 1:00 pm. Many passengers stay overnight at Croydon and do the return trip the next day, or you can take your vehicle on the train and continue your trip from Croydon. It is necessary to book motorails ahead as space is limited. The Gulflander can also be chartered by any group of people.

For further information:
Normanton Station (07) 4036 9250

Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
The Hotham Valley Tourist Railway has regularly scheduled trips that depart the Dwellingup Railway station, about 110 km south of Perth, W.A. There are also a number of train rides available, ranging from 1 hour trips into the Jarrah forests, to 5 day rail safaris around the southwest of W.A. One of their popular trips is known as the dinner train which is an evening trip aboard a fully-restored 1919 dining car. Passengers are transferred from Perth to Dwellingup for the 3.5 hour train ride into Etmilyn Forest where they are served a 5 course dinner. They operate each Saturday night and bookings are essential.

For further information:
Hotham Valley Tourist Railway Travel Centre (08) 9221 4444

Yarra Valley Tourist Railway
You'll find the Healesville Rail Trolley about an hour's drive northeast of Melbourne, running from Healesville to Tunnel Hill. This little train runs across flood plains, through tea-tree forests, and across trestle bridges. It operates every half hour on Sundays and on public holidays.

For further information:
Healesville Railway Station (03) 5962 2490

Kuranda Scenic Railway
This famous railway is an enchanting 90-minute rail adventure that takes you from Cairns through dense, tropical rainforest and past deep gorges and spectacular waterfalls to the delightful village of Kuranda, where you'll discover a variety of unique attractions. This scenic and educational journey is a must-do for any visitor to North Queensland.

Up in the Atherton Tablelands, this run is only 34 km long, but it rises 300 metres as it winds past waterfalls and through tunnels.

For further information:
(07) 4036 9333

Bellarine Peninsula Railway
The Bellarine Peninsula Railway operates a collection of heritage trains from around Australia on 16 km of restored track from historic Queenscliff to Drysdale on Victoria`s beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.

The line skirts the shores of Swan Bay, rich in plant and bird life before climbing the rolling Bellarine hills towards Drysdale. Distant views over Corio & Port Phillip Bays add to the scenic splendour of the journey. Running in the southwest of Melbourne, it provides a history lesson the kids will actually enjoy.

These magnificent restored steam locos operate every Sunday of the year and most Public Holidays.

For further information:
Geelong Steam Preservation Society (03) 5258 2069

The Zig Zag Railway
Located in the Blue Mountains of NSW, it is 200 metres to the bottom of the Lithgow Valley as the crow flies. But it's so steep, the train has to run back and forth for 7.5 kms to make the descent.

Take yourself and your family or friends on a journey down this historic railway line back to the time of coal fires, steam engines, compartment carriages and a time when travel was at a more relaxed and leisurely pace.

For further information:
Zig Zag Railway (02) 6355 2955

Pichi Richi Railway
In South Australia, just North of Port Augusta, the 2.5 hour return trip takes you through more than a century of history. The perfect Sunday afternoon jaunt.

The Pichi Richi Explorer is a steam locomotive hauled service, using South Australian Railways carriages, some dating from the 19th century. The service enables travelers to experience train travel as it was 100 years ago on country lines.

For further information:
Pichi Richi Railway 1800 440 101