The Cockle Train travels along the oldest steel railed railway in Australia dating back to 1854 when it was constructed to provide a link between the River Murray and the ocean wharfs at Pt Elliot and later at Victor Harbor.
Why is this icon journey called the "Cockle Train"? In early days of settlement the local residents would take a horse drawn train to Goolwa to collect Cockles from the sandy beaches near the Murray mouth. It was a great day's outing and thus gained its name.
NO NEED TO BOOK!
Tickets are available at the Goolwa, Port Elliot & Victor Harbour Railway Stations on day of travel.
The Cockle Train Experience

The Cockle Train departing Middleton
Operating Dates
Timetable
Various timetables apply during different times of the year, and an operating day is associated with a special event. Please match the coloured header, with the colours on the above calendar.
Buying Tickets
The Cockle train does not have reserved seats
Passengers can buy their Cockle Train tickets from Victor Harbor, Pt Elliot or Goolwa station ticket offices on day of travel.
Offices open at least 30 minutes before the first train departure of the day.
At Victor Harbour, Port Elliot and Goolwa railway stations we accept cash, VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards and most bank EFTPOS cards.
Online Bookings Not Required!
Please note: Bookings for The Cockle Train are not needed, due to tickets being available at the Goolwa, Port Elliot & Victor Harbor Railway Stations on the day of travel.
Fares
Family Tickets are 2 Adults and 2 Children, aged 4 and above.
Children under 4 travel free.
Seniors fares are only available on presentation of a Seniors Card.
Return Fares | Single Fare | |||||
Goolwa to (or v.v) | Adult | Child | Senior | Family | Adult | Child |
Middleton | $15.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 | $5.00 | ||
Pt. Elliot | $20.50 | $11.00 | $13.50 | $7.00 | ||
Victor Harbor | $32.50 | $16.50 | $28.50 | $77.00 | $20.50 | $11.00 |
Middleton to (or v.v) | Adult | Child | Senior | Family | Adult | Child |
Pt. Elliot | $5.00 | $3.00 | $3.50 | $2.00 | ||
Victor Harbor | $17.50 | $9.00 | $11.50 | $6.00 | ||
Goolwa | $15.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 | $5.00 | ||
Pt. Elliot to (or v.v) | Adult | Child | Senior | Family | Adult | Child |
Victor Harbor | $12.50 | $6.00 | $8.50 | $4.50 | ||
Goolwa | $20.50 | $11.00 | $13.50 | $7.00 | ||
Round Trip | $32.50 | $16.50 | $28.50 | $77.00 |
Hot Weather Policy
In the event a total fire ban is issued for the Mt Lofty Ranges, trains scheduled to operate using steam locomotives will be substituted by diesel railcars or diesel locomotives.
Likewise, in the event the forecast for Victor Harbor is expected to be 35 degrees Celsius or above, Cockle Train's will not operate.