Australian Railway Historical Society
(ACT Division)

General Correspondence: P.O. Box 1615, Queanbeyan NSW 2620

Street Address: Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Rd, Queanbeyan

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm

Bookings Phone: (02) 6284 2790 Facsimile: (02) 6284 2791

Destinations of our Tour Trains

Queanbeyan
Royalla
Bungendore
Tarago
Goulburn
Sydney

Queanbeyan

Queanbeyan is just outside the Australian Capital Territory border, in New South Wales. It has a population of about 30,000 and is only 12 kilometres (8 miles) from Canberra. It is the first station stop for trains running from Canberra toward Sydney. It is also the point at which the line to Michelago branches off the main line.

Queanbeyan is the commercial centre of a rich pastoral district and is a residential area for many people who work in Canberra. For more general information on Queanbeyan, try the Queanbeyan City Council website.

All trains operated by the ARHS (ACT) stop at Queanbeyan station. Check the calendar for details of running dates.

Royalla

Royalla, 33 rail kilometres from Canberra, is a section stop (in railway terms, a "halt") about half way between Queanbeyan and Michelago. The halt is named after a nearby farm.

The railway opened in 1887, as part of the line then being extended to Cooma. A station was established in 1919. Royalla has been used as a safe working stop and, since 1956, as a passing loop.

The term safe working refers to the rules and procedures employed by the railways to ensure that trains run safely, and especially that more than one does not try to occupy the same section of track at the same time!

For example, a train arriving at Royalla cannot proceed to Michelago until any train between Royalla and Michelago has arrived at either Michelago or Royalla.

Today Royalla has a platform with picnic facilities, and the adjacent countryside is developing as a popular rural residential area.

Currently, our Michelago Tourist Railway trains are not operating between Canberra and Royalla - track and bridge repairs are required before services can resume.

See also: Michelago Tourist Railway

Bungendore

Bungendore is a medium-sized village of about 1,400 people. Its economy is based heavily on tourism. The village is 36km from Canberra on the rail line to Sydney.

Bungendore itself was founded in 1837. There are many reminders of its colourful past and the village features many delightful stone buildings. It has about 10 galleries and craft shops, plus gift shops and cafés

You will find details of train trips to or through Bungendore on the Train Trips to Bungendore page.

Tarago

Tarago is a small rural village in a sheep farming region. It is about 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Canberra on the line toward Sydney.

The village community hall is used by our dinner/dance train passengers for dancing, and the local community puts on tea, coffee and a wide selection of delicious cakes.

The town is also known for the historic "Loaded Dog" pub, to which many passengers retire for an extra drink.

We run dinner/dance trains at various times of the year. Details of these are added to our calendar as they become available.

Goulburn

Goulburn is a city with a population of 22,000, set within an agricultural region with about 75,000 people. Its economic base is agriculture, tourism, retail industries and manufacturing.

Goulburn became Australia's first inland city, and its development over the past 170 years, as a centre of diverse activity, has led to its remarkable record of stability.

"A Celebration of Heritage, Jazz and Roses" is held in March each year to coincide with the City of Goulburn annual rose show and Goulburn's birthday on the March 14.

Sydney

Sydney is the capital city of the Australian State of New South Wales and is about 280 kilometres (175 miles) north-east of Canberra (in fact, it is about 46 kilometres (29 miles) further by rail).

Sydney visitors or residents can visit the Canberra region by travelling on the Sydney-Canberra CountryLink Xplorer train service. CountryLink bookings can be made through our CountryLink Ticketing Agency or direct through CountryLink.

For more information on ARHS (ACT) rail tours to Sydney and beyond, check the tours calendar, for tour dates and details, or contact our Tours Office - details are at the top of this page.