All aboard platform NSW - train travel is on the rise

When it comes to train travel in New South Wales (NSW) the journey is just as rewarding as the destination, with the State home to a vast network of passenger railway looking onto scenery ranging from desert landscapes to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

Destination NSW has revealed that 5.3 million international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors used the train to travel in NSW during the year ending March 2017, up 4% on the previous year.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said travelling by train is the ideal way to explore rural and regional NSW.

“From Outback rail adventures to dedicated party carriages, the old-fashioned charm of rail travel is most definitely making a comeback,” Mr Marshall said.

“Travelling by train is a great alternative to driving, as long distance journeys are made in comfort while enjoying a view of the diverse landscapes of rural and regional NSW.”

Destination NSW suggests the following epic train adventures:

Solar power in Byron

In what is believed to be a world first, Elements of Byron will soon launch its very own solar train named the ‘Byron Bay Railroad Company’. Connecting the resort to Byron town centre, the solar-powered two-carriage heritage train has been lovingly restored and will be open to the community and visitors.

Zig-Zig thrills

Set to partially reopen in the next year, Lithgow’s State Heritage registered Zig Zag Railway will soon be back in action after the devastation from the 2013 bushfires. Built in 1866 to transport people and produce from the Blue Mountains to Sydney, the Zig Zag Railway now operates as a seven-kilometre tourist attraction and is known to hold special rail-themed events celebrating Harry Potter and Thomas the Tank Engine.

It’s now or never - get your blue suede shoes on for Parkes

The Parkes Elvis Festival is popular for many reasons, and the journey to get there is no exception. On the Thursday before the festival, the legendary NSW TrainLink ‘Elvis Express’ departs Central Station to much fanfare, arriving into Parkes later that day. An additional luxury heritage passenger train ‘Blue Suede Express’ will also be available for the first time. These are no ordinary train rides – everywhere you look you’ll see hip-swivelling Elvis impersonators and ‘Priscillas’ singing, dancing and getting the party well and truly started. Tickets for the ‘Elvis Express’ and ‘Blue Suede Express’ are on sale now and always sell out – so get in quick.

The North Coast Daylight

For a journey that traverses land and sea, then the five-night North Coast Daylight is an experience not to be missed. Commencing in Brisbane on 23 April 2018, the heritage 621/721 rail motor will make its way to Sydney with an overnight in Port Macquarie and stops in Taree, Dungog and the charming riverside village of Paterson, home of the Rail Motor Society. With two nights spent in Sydney exploring the harbour sights, passengers will return to Brisbane on the Sun Princess cruise ship.

Thirlmere rail history

The NSW Rail Museum is a must-visit for any die-hard train lover. Located in the historic railway town of Thirlmere, 90km south west of Sydney, the museum has an extensive rail heritage collection, and is home to steam and diesel locomotives and one of the largest collections of rolling stock items in Australia. Visit on Sunday’s between March – November for a steam train ride on the Thirlmere Heritage Railway.

The Indian Pacific

Considered to be the longest stretch of straight railway in the world, The Indian Pacific is an epic journey by any means. Whether you travel the full 4,352km from Sydney to Perth over three nights or the shorter 1,693km one night trip from Sydney to Adelaide via Broken Hill, you are guaranteed a memorable journey full of vast contrasting landscapes and true Outback adventure.

For more information on train journeys in NSW go to visitnsw.com