About this Event
'Downs Explorer' Heritage Train Warwick to Wallangarra Lunch on Wallangarra Station then a Granite Belt Country Tour, home by Train
This Tour includes - Heritage train to Wallangarra, two course lunch (main, desert) on the Wallangarra Railway Platform, 1.00pm bus tour of the Girraween National Park (Granite Belt Country) then onto the famous chocolate tourist centre, a tour through the back country and around Stanthorpe then dropped back at Stanthorpe Railway Station in time for the trip home via train.
In Summary...
Depart Warwick Station at 08:00am for a leisurely day on the heritage train to Stanthorpe (morning tea may be available for $5.00 cash, and local produce markets are at the station) then onto Wallangarra on the NSW border, arriving at 12:10pm. Two course lunch, Granite Belt Bus Tour, Train trip home from Stanthorpe.
Child 0-4 FREE, 5-14 special rate. No Pensioner or Seniors Discount... sorry.
What to expect... after easing into the uphill sections between Warwick (1,492ft), and Silverwood (1,913ft), we leave civilisation and wind up past sandstone ruins of Spring and Mineral Creek bridges before a short stop to check the locomotive before passing through the two tunnels on the line.
After this brief pause, it’s time to enjoy the spectacular views as we climb the Silverwood range to Dalveen where we pass The Summit (3,035ft), the highest QR station. Since leaving Warwick, we have risen 1,543 feet in the space of 32 miles. After passing The Summit we coast down into Stanthorpe for a 30 minute stop.
We continue from here at 10:45am, descending into granite country as we make our way to the Queensland - New South Wales Border. After passing Lyra (2,305ft), we start the 577 feet climb into Wallangarra (2,882ft), where we will make our stop at 12:10pm for lunch on the Wallangarra Railway station.
The Girraween National Park (Granite Belt Country) is one of the most spectacular national parks in Australia. Beautiful vistas, unusual rock formations, spectacular flora and flora, two of the Granite Belts most visited tourist attractions and a tour of the Stanthorpe township before returning back to Warwick on the SDSR Heritage train.
We depart Stanthorpe at 3.30pm to make our way back down the range with a setting sun before we arrive back in Warwick at 6.00pm.
Please note…
Please plan to arrive at the Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Cres, Warwick at least 30 minutes before departure.
Relevant Travel Details:
- A kiosk selling tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages and snacks is available on the train. Although we have eftpos available, we do pass through some black spots. Please have cash available for this if necessary. We also have raffle tickets on the train, cash sale only.
- We make every endeavour to ensure that tour will operate as advertised. Unfortunately, this may not always be possible owing to unforeseen circumstances such as total fire bans or mechanical failures. In such events we reserve the right to make whatever changes are necessary, without compensation. However, any changes made will only be after we have exhausted all reasonable efforts to provide the tour as advertised.
- Where steam is unavailable, SDSR will replace it with the Heritage Diesel Locomotive.
- Some services may cancel at short notice. You will be notified by email.
• If you would like to sit in a carriage with friends that have booked tickets separately from you, email [email protected] to let us know the name the tickets were booked in, trip details and order number. If you do not let us know, you may be seated in separate carriages.
• Please bring a copy of your email issued ticket for all family members, either printed or on your phone.
• Times shown on brochures are subject to approval of the relevant authorities and could differ on the day. Correct times will be advised on your tickets or by special email.
• We appreciate all feedback, good or bad. Make contact via: "mailto: [email protected]"
Covid Update:
From 14 April 2022 almost all restrictions have been lifted for travel on our railway. Hand cleansing and masks will still be available if required and patrons are asked to use normal sensible precautions, as they would on any public transport.
Membership:
We are a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Consider becoming a member to keep up to date on events, progress and general news. Membership is $60.00 per couple and $40.00 a single and can be arranged via our website: "www.downsexplorer.org.au/membership".
If you have any further questions, please contact us on 07 4661 9788
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Cres, Warwick, Australia
AUD 0.00 to AUD 245.00