Tourist Services and Minor Railways in

Australia

A horse drawn tram on the Victor Harbor Tramway in South Australia.

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Tourist services, minor railways and tramways

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Miniature Railway miniature raileway in Symonston. Line about 1 km in length, steam or diesel hauled. Club railway open to the public typically 2 Sundays each month

New South Wales

3801 Limited diesel hauled heritage tourist train from Sydney and Wollongong to Robinson and Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands
Byron Bay Railroad planned tourist operation using heritage diesel railcars on about 3km of line from Byron Bay
Campbelltown Narrow Gauge Railway at the Campbelltown Steam & Machinery Museum, Menangle Park. 2ft (610mm) gauge railway about 600m in length, steam or diesel hauled. Operates typically two weekends each year
Cooma Monaro Railway tourist line using heritage railcars, between Cooma and Chakola, about 19km
Glenreagh Mountain Railway proposed tourist service on the line from Glenreagh to Ulong, about 35km. Occasional members only excursions in rail maintenance vehicles are offered between Glenreagh and Lowanna
Hornsby Model Engineers miniature railway in Galston, near Sydney. 5in (127mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public typically one Sunday each month
Illawarra Light Railway Museum in North Wollongong. 2ft (610mm) gauge railway, usually steam hauled. Also a 5in (127mm) gauge miniature railway. Operates one Sunday each month, and for special events or private charter
Kandos-Rylstone Heritage Railway Kandos to Rylstone, about 8km
Katoomba Scenic Railway funicular in Scenic World at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The line descends 415m through a cliff tunnel into rain forest.
Lachlan Valley Railway steam and diesel hauled trains and heritage railcars operating from Cowra
Lithgow State Mine Railway Eskbank Goods Yard, Lithgow, to the Lithgow State Mine, about 3km
Richmond Vale Railway Museum offers train rides within the Museum grounds on certain days. Steam or diesel hauled
Skitube Bullock Flats to the Perisher Ski Resort, about 10km, most of which is in tunnel. Although primarily intended for skiers, day trips are also offered. Standard (1435mm) gauge rack railway, electric railcars
Zig Zag Railway steeply inclined tourist railway operated by adhesion, with switchbacks. Located at Clarence, near Lithgow. Services ceased in 2013 following severe fire damage, but are planned to resume in 2019
Heritage Park Railway miniature railway in Lismore. 429m, 7¼in (184mm) gauge, diesel hauled
Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society miniature railway in West Ryde, near Sydney. 5in (127mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public typically one Sunday each month
Sydney Tramway Museum operating preserved trams
Timbertown Heritage Railway in Timbertown, Wauchope. 2ft (610mm) gauge railway about 1.6km in length, usually steam hauled. Open 5 days each week (every day during school holidays)
Valley Heights Steam Tramway carriages hauled by steam tramway and other locomotives at the Loco Depot Heritage Museum in Valley Heights
Wagga Wagga SME miniature railway in Willans Hill, Wagga Wagga. Line over 2km in length, 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public typically 2 Sundays each month

Northern Territory

Old Ghan Historical Railway tourist trains on an 8km section of the original 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge Ghan railway route, located about 10km south of Alice Springs. Operates most Sunday mornings, and other times by prior arrangement. Usually diesel hauled, with a steam locomotive available for special events and charters. Dining facilities for pre-booked evening groups.

Queensland

Australian Sugar Cane Railway 2ft (610mm) gauge railway about 1km in length, located in the Botanic Gardens, Bundaberg. Steam or diesel hauled using equipment from the former sugar cane industry.
Bally Hooley Steam Railway in Port Douglas, Marina to St Crispin’s station. About 4km, 600mm gauge, steam hauled
Dreamworld Express 2ft (610mm) gauge railway about 1.5km in length in Dreamworld theme park, Coomera. Usually hauled by a diesel powered steam outline locomotive, a genuine steam locomotive is available which operates on certain days and by special charter.
The Gulflander Normanton to Croydon in a heritage diesel railcar. Outward from either terminus for a single journey in one day, or return journey with an overnight stop. Short return journeys of up to a few hours are also available from Normanton.
Kuranda Scenic Railway Cairns to Kuranda via the Barron Valley, about 75km.
Mary Valley Rattler steam hauled tourist railway between Gympie and Imbil. Not currently operating but restoration is proposed
Myrtle May miniature railway in Highfields Pioneer Village near Toowoomba. 10¼in (260mm) gauge, steam hauled. Train operates on the last Sunday of each month and for special events. An admission fee to the village is payable in addition to the train fare
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge tourist railway in Ipswich, with stations at Swanbank and Bundamba Racescouse. Usually steam hauled
Rosewood Railway 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge tourist railway between Cabanda and Kunkala, near Ipswich. Usually steam hauled.
The Savannahlander Cairns to Forsyth in a heritage diesel railcar. The whole line can be covered in a four day tour with overnight hotel stops; shorter journeys are available as day trips.
Woodford Railway 2ft (610mm) gauge railway at the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Woodford. Line about 1km in length, extensions planned. Steam or diesel hauled using historic equipment, mainly from the former sugar cane industry.
Archer Park Steam Tram operating preserved steam tram at Archer Park Rail Museum in Rockhampton
Brisbane Tramway Museum operating preserved electric tram in Ferny Grove, near brisbane

South Australia

Cobdogla Irrigation & Steam Museum 2ft (610mm) gauge railway about 400m in length at the museum. Usually steam hauled. Operates typically 5 days each year.
Morphett Vale Railway miniature railway in the Morphett Vale, south of Adelaide. 7¼in (184mm) gauge, steam and diesel hauled. Operates typically 2 Sundays each month
National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide:
- Museum Train Rides on a short section of 18in (457mm) gauge line within the museum grounds. Operates every day except Christmas Day. Steam or diesel hauled.
- Semaphore and Fort Glanville Tourist Railway Semaphore Road to Fort Glanville, about 1¼ miles (2km). Operates Sundays and public holidays during the summer, and certain weekdays during school holidays. 18in (457mm) gauge. Usually steam hauled.
Pichi Richi Railway steam and diesel hauled tourist railway between Port Augusta and Quorn. The line formed part of the original 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge Ghan line to Alice Springs
SASMEE miniature railway in Millswood, near Adelaide. 3½in (89mm), 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, steam, diesel or battery electric hauled. Club railway open to the public typically 2 days each month, or by private charter
Steamranger steam and diesel hauled tourist railway between Victor Harbor and Mount Barker, southeast of Adelaide. The total length of the 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge line is some 77km, although the entire line is not necessarily covered on all operating days
Victor Harbor historic horse drawn trams

Tasmania

Tasmania has a network of 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge lines reaching most parts of the island. There are no regular passenger services but several tourist operations some of which use the freight lines of TasRail.

Don River Railway tourist railway near Devonport. Steam and diesel hauled
Derwent Valley Railway steam and diesel hauled tourist operation based at New Norfolk, using Tasrail lines
Redwater Creek Railway steam hauled, 600mm gauge tourist line 1km in length, in Sheffield. There is also a miniature railway.
Ida Bay Railway Lune River to Elliott's Beach, about 7km. 2ft (610mm) gauge bush railway now converted for tourist operation, using original diesel locomotives
Wee Georgie Wood Steam Railway steam hauled, 2ft (610mm) gauge tourist line 1.6km in length, in Tullah
West Coast Wilderness Railway steam and diesel hauled tourist line from Strahan to Queenstown through the gorge of the King River, a distance of 35km, part rack equipped
Evandale Light Railway & Steam miniature railway in the Morven Park, Evandale. Line about 600m in length, 7¼in (184mm) gauge, steam or diesel hauled. Open to the public most Sundays
Friendly Beaches Railway private miniature railway occasionally open to the public in the Freycinet area. Line about 1.2km in length, 7¼in (184mm) and 5in (127mm) gauge, usually steam hauled
North West Model Engineering Society miniature railway in Ulverstone. 7¼in (184mm) and 5in (127mm) gauge, steam or diesel hauled. Open to the public typically two Sundays each month
Railtrack Riders pedal powered trolleys on an otherwise disused section of line between Maydena and Florentine, about 2.5km. The gauge is quoted as 1080mm, but is probably closer to the more usual 1067mm.
Launceston Tramway Museum museum offering rides on a heritage tram

Victoria

Alexandra Timber Tramway steam hauled trains on a short 2ft (610mm) gauge line at a museum in Alexandra
Altona Miniature Railway miniature railway in a suburb of Melbourne. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, about 1.5km in length; steam or diesel hauled. Open to the public typically one Sunday each month
Bellarine Railway 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge tourist railway with steam hauled trains and luxury railcars between Queenscliff and Drysdale, a distance of 16km
Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway miniature railway in a suburb of Melbourne. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, about 1.25km in length; usually steam hauled. Open to the public typically one Sunday each month or by private booking
Bulla Hill Railway miniature railway in Bulla. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, about 1.5km in length; steam or diesel hauled. Open to the public for rides during the afternoons of two Sundays each month throughout the year.
Coal Creek Bush Railway steam and diesel hauled trains on a 2ft (610mm) gauge line in the Coal Creek Heritage Village at Korrumburra
Cobden Miniature Railway miniature railway in Cobden. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, about 1.8km in length; steam or diesel hauled. Open to the public typically one Sunday each month, more frequently during school holidays.
Daylesford Spa Country Railway 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge tourist with heritage railcars between Daylesford and Bullarto. Dining facilities on certain trains.
Diamond Valley Railway miniature railway in Lower Park, Eltham. 7¼in (184mm) gauge, over 2km in length with extensions proposed; steam or diesel hauled or battery electric railcar. Operates Sundays throughout the year, on certain other days during school holidays, or by private charter.
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway 2ft (610mm) gauge tourist line at Kerrisdale (between Seymour and Yea). The steeply graded line has diesel hauled trains using former industrial locomotives
Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club miniature railway at the National Steam Centre in Scoresby. 12in (305mm) gauge, about 1km in length, usually steam hauled. Operates most Sundays during the summer, or by private charter
Mornington Railway 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge tourist railway with steam and diesel hauled trains between Mornington and Moorooduc
Perisher Skitube modern rack railway, 8.5km in length of which 6.3km is in tunnel, serving the Kosciuszko National Park near Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains
Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway miniature railway in Portarlington. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public typically every Sunday and some Wednesdays during the summer, 2 Sundays each month for the rest of the year, or by private charter
Puffing Billy steam hauled 2ft 6in (762mm) gauge tourist railway between Belgrave and Gembrook in the Dandenong Ranges (a distance of 23km), also serving Emerald Lake Park
Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway steam hauled trains on a 2ft 6in (610mm) gauge line, 2km in length, at Red Cliffs
Steamrail Victoria steam hauled railtours on 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge main lines
Victoria Goldfields Railway 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge tourist railway with steam and diesel hauled trains between Castlemaine and Maldon
Walhalla Goldfields Railway 2ft 6in (762mm) gauge tourist railway with steam hauled trains on the spectacular river gorge line between Thomson and Walhalla, a distance of 4.5km
Yarra Valley Railway the 5ft 3in (1600mm) gauge line from Healesville to Yarra Glen and Lilydale is in the course of restoration as a tourist railway. At present, trips operate only on a short section of the line
Ballarat Tramway Museum operating preserved trams
Bendigo historic trams in the city centre
Portland Cable Trams diesel powered replica of former cable trams, serving various tourist attractions in Portland
Tramway Museum Society of Victoria operating preserved trams in the grounds of the museum at Bylands
Altona Miniature Railway 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge miniature railway some 1.5km in length, in Lynch Reserve, Melbourne. Steam and diesel hauled
Diamond Valley Railway extensive 7¼in (184mm) gauge miniature railway in Eltham Lower Park, Melways

Western Australia

Bennett Brook Railway 2ft (610mm) gauge line some 6km in length, in Whiteman Park near Perth. Steam and diesel hauled
Castledare Miniature Railway Canning River Regional Park, Perth. Total length of line ove 5km, 7¼in (184mm) gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Club railway open to the public typically 2 Sundays each month. Different sections of the line are covered on different open days
Couhunu Park Railway miniature railway in the Koala Park in Byford. About 1km, 7¼in (184mm) gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. An admission fee to the park is payable in addition to the train fare
Hotham Valley Railway 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge line operated in 2 sections:
- Etimlyn Forest Railway Dwellingup to Etimlyn, about 8km. Diesel hauled. Dining trains operate at certain times
- Steam Ranger Dwellingup to Isandra, about 14km. Steam hauled
Trains operate most weekends and certain other days throughout the year. The two services do not operate on the same day.
Northern District MES miniature railway in Balcatta, near Perth. 5in (127mm) and 7¼in (184mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public typically one Sunday each month
Pemberton Tramway Company 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge line with steam and diesel hauled trains from Pemberton to Lyall (21km) and diesel powered trams from Pemberton to Northcliffe (36km)
Western Australia’s Heritage Tramway staandard gauge historic electric trams connecting Whiteman Village, Perth with Village Junction rail station (21km)
Castledare Miniature Railways 7¼in (184mm) gauge miniature railway, in two sections totalling over 6km, located in Wilson Park in the suburbs of Perth. Steam and diesel hauled
Pilbara Railways Historical Society railway museum near Karratha with a miniature railway

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