SteamRanger Heritage Railway

Cockle Train (3)
2025-07-07 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-08 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-11 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-12 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-13 10:00 - 16:15, 2025-07-14 10:00 - 16:15 (Australia/Adelaide) and 14 more dates | Goolwa Railway Station, Dunbar Rd, Goolwa, South Australia, 5214, Australia
The Cockle Train operates between Goolwa and Victor Harbor. Trains depart Goolwa at 10am, 12.15pm, & 2.45pm and Victor Harbor at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.45pm. Tickets at stations on day of travel

Highlander (2)
2025-07-11 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-07-13 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-07-18 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-07-20 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-08-03 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-08-10 09:30 - 17:00 | Mount Barker Railway Station, Corner of Gawler St & Dutton Road, Mount Barker, South Australia, 5251, Australia
Duration
Can be either 3 hours (if passengers return on same train) or 7.5hrs (if passengers catch the morning train, then opt for train 2 on homeward journey).
About
The Highlander to Strathalbyn operates on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month between Mt Barker and Strathalbyn.
A short journey on behind a heritage steam or diesel locomotive from Mt Barker to Strathalbyn and return.
The journey commences from Mount Barker station – a pleasant 30 minute drive from Adelaide along the South Eastern Freeway.
Leaving Mt Barker mid morning, the train first climbs up to the crest of the line and then winds down the eastern escarpment of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, passing through several long abandoned station sites which bear testimony to the importance of this branch line a century ago.
Crossing the Angas River you then enter the historic township of Strathalbyn where many Scottish migrants settled in the early 1800s, influencing the early architecture which is still evident today. The town is well worth a visit to explore its well stocked antique shops and cafes.
You have the option to return to Mt Barker after a short break to turn the locomotive, or opt to explore the township of Strathalbyn and return on the afternoon train.

Christmas in July
2025-07-19 16:30 - 22:30 | Mount Barker Railway Station, Corner of Gawler St & Dutton Road, Mount Barker, South Australia, 5251, Australia
All aboard for a pleasant evening’s journey from Mt Barker to Strathalbyn while celebrating Christmas in July with a difference

Please advise when booking, of any dietary requirements
Duration
Approx. 7 hours
About The Christmas in July Dinner Train
The journey commences from Mount Barker station – a pleasant 20 minute drive from Adelaide along the South Eastern Freeway. Your ticket includes a twilight three-course dinner at a Strathalbyn hotel and return travel from Mt Barker.
Leaving Mt Barker late afternoon, listen to our heritage steam locomotive, as it hauls the train up to the crest of the line at Philcox Hill and then winds down the eastern escarpment of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, passing through several long abandoned station sites which bear testimony to the importance of this branch line a century ago.
Crossing the Angas River you then enter the historic township of Strathalbyn where many Scottish migrants settled in the early 1800s, influencing the early architecture which is still evident today. The town is well worth a return visit during the day to explore its well stocked antique shops and cafes.
Enjoy a country cooked meal, before returning to Mt Barker in the evening.

Bugle Ranger (2)
2025-07-27 11:30 - 13:45 | Mount Barker Railway Station, Corner of Gawler St & Dutton Road, Mount Barker, South Australia, 5251, Australia
Looking for something to do next time you are in the Adelaide Hills and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg doing it?
Our Bugle Ranger train represents great value for money. A fun and economical way to spend an hour on rail!
The train departs from SteamRanger’s Mt Barker station where there is plenty of car parking. If you are coming by bus, the station is right at Transit Plus’ Mt Barker bus interchange.
The one hour trip aboard our heritage “Red Hen” railcar will take you southwards from Mt Barker to the very peak of the ranges at the now closed Philcox Hill station site. Situated in an opening in the trees on level ground, the station site is the highest point on the line (1,304 feet or nearly 398 metres above sea-level)
In years gone by trains travelling northwards and southwards could pass each other at Philcox Hill. Located here was a goods siding where rock was loaded from a local quarry. The rock was brought from the quarry along a one-kilometre long horse tramway to the east of the line. A walking track remains as evidence. Today remnants of a platform, a telephone box and well-kept station name board are the only things to indicate this rather interesting and once very busy location.
Leaving Philcox Hill the track winds around Bonython Hill (on the right) in a semi-circle and then, after going through several cuttings reaches the site of the old Bugle Ranges station.
The former station was provided mainly to cater for Macclesfield people as compensation for the Government not being able to take the line through their town. This station initially had three tracks as well as a number of signals and its own signal cabin. The station existed well into the 1970s. The rather extravagant signal cabin on the other hand was removed to Long Gully in the National Park on the Main South line after less than two years use!
After a brief pause to allow the railcar driver to move to the other end of the railcar we then head off back up the hill to Philcox Hill and then back to Mt Barker.
