Walhalla Goldfields Railway
After winding your way through the tall trees from the Walhalla turn off, and going over the big Thomson Bridge, you may be able to spot the Walhalla Railway tracks on the right hand side as it follows the river.
This was a blessing in disguise as it took the focus off the winding roads just as the children were starting to feel ill.
A few corners up is the entrance to the Walhalla Railway.
Entrance gates to the train station
Through the white gate is the station and parking area, inside the station you will find lots of information on other train rides in Victoria and other states, along with historic facts about Walhalla with tourist information, souvenirs, drinks and snacks.
Inside the Walhalla station
The platform is a great place to view the train before boarding and if your lucky you may get the chance to have your photo taken in the engine bay or pull the rope whistle.
Walhalla Railway platform
Aboard the train it's immaculate and very comfortable. There are two carriages to choose between, one being slightly different to the other. We travelled in both to get the full experience and I recommend doing this. First class is comfortable and roomy. The carriage closest to the locomotive is great for taking photos as you can get right up to the back of the locomotive and stand on the outside platform.
Inside first class carriage
With everyone on board we set off down the rail line towards the Thomson Station passing another stationary locomotive and railway trolleys.
Another engine along the line
The train line follows Stringers Creek the entire length to the Thomson Station (about 4km). The scenery in my opinion is the best for any railway in Victoria.
About half way along the track you pass Happy Creek Station, with a small hut and sign. It was used as a temporary terminus of the railway during the renewal of bridges 1-6 (there are 8 wooden trestle bridges in total).
Happy Creek
Along further, the sight of the Thomson Bridge is spectacular and it's not surprising that it's heritage listed. The bridge is 92 metres long and 11 metres above the standard river height. If you're afraid of heights it's best not to look down.
Thomson Bridge
A hundred metres past the bridge brings you to the turn around point at Thomson Station. With 20 minutes before departing on the return journey it's a good chance to go down to the river and have a look under the bridge to see it from a different perspective. Alternatively you can purchase refreshments and sit and enjoy the view.
The return journey is just just as good or if not better. I stood on the outside platform behind the locomotive and it was a great experience to get up close to the cliff face on one side and have the creek on the other with lots of greenery.
The railway has quite a unique history, it was first proposed to be built when the gold mines were in peak operation in 1883 but it wasn't until much later on that it was approved by government and then completed in 1910. Unfortunately the mining operations started to slow and eventually closed in 1914 which lead to a rapid decline in population for the town. Passengers and freight continued to decline during the 1920's & 1930's and the train was reduced to one service a week. The line closed in 1944.
Thompson Bridge
The track was pulled up and the trees grew back as if the line had never been there.
Rebuilding of the rail line started in 1994 with volunteers working tirelessly to reopened the line in 2002.
Don't look down
If you would like to visit the Walhalla railway it is located approximately 185 kilometres from Melbourne and will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive there. For directions
click here.
If you don't have a car there are bus tours that go to Walhalla but there is no public transport.
The train
The Walhalla railway is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with trains departing Walhalla at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Check the
website for school and public holiday times.
Tickets cost $50 for a family and $20 for adult ticket (prices are return)
Train rides take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
