This is a list of heritage railways in Australia, some of which can also be considered tourist railways. Heritage tramways have also been included. Most are members of the <i>Association of Tourist & Heritage Rail Australia</i> (ATHRA). In addition to active operations, abandoned and putative operations are also included, but static museum sites and rolling stock operators without a 'dedicated' line do not fall within Wikipedia's definition of heritage railways. Miniature railways with gauges of less than 380mm (15 in) are excluded. Lines named in red are lacking a detailed Wikipedia entry.
The world's second preserved railway, and the first outside the United Kingdom, was Australia's Puffing Billy Railway. This railway operates on of track, with much of its original rolling stock built as early as 1898.
New South Wales
gauge unless otherwise stated. See also Transport Heritage NSW
Northern Territory
gauge
Queensland
gauge unless otherwise stated.
- Australian Sugar Cane Railway, Bundabergâ gauge.
- Bally Hooley Steam Railway, Port Douglasâ gauge.
- Beaudesert Rail (railway operation ceased from 2003)
- Big Pineapple Railway, Woombyeâ gauge. (railway operation suspended as at December 2022)
- Brisbane Tramway Museum, Ferny Groveâ gauge. (ride within static museum site)
- Burrum Mining Museum, Howardâ gauge. (ride within static museum site)
- Downs Explorer, Warwick (run excursions over freight-only sections of state system, from Warwick to Stanthorpe, Wallangarra, Clifton, Wheatvale, Hendon, Toowoomba, Goondiwindi)
- DownsSteam Tourist Railway & Museum, Drayton, Toowoomba (Operational from May 2024 on QR track to Brookstead and Hendon with steam-hauled ex Brisbane suburban cars and a railmotor)
- Dreamworld Railway, Coomeraâ gauge. (little more than a funfair railway)
- Ginger Train, Yandinaâ gauge.
- Gulflander : CroydonâÂÂNormanton.
- Kuranda Scenic Railway : CairnsâÂÂKuranda.
- Ravenshoe Railway Company (railway operation suspended from December 2020 - plans for reopening in progress)
- Rosewood Railway (railway operation suspended as at December 2022)
- SavannahlanderâÂÂCairnsâÂÂForsayth.
- Sea World Railway, Main Beachâ gauge. (railway operation ceased by 2022; not to be confused with monorail which also ceased from 2022)
- Southern Downs Steam RailwayâÂÂformer name of Downs Explorer, q.v. above
- Swanbank RailwayâÂÂsee Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (above)
South Australia
unless otherwise noted
Tasmania
gauge unless otherwise stated.
Victoria
unless otherwise noted
Western Australia
gauge unless otherwise stated.
See also
References