The Woodford Railway
Everyone loves a train ride, especially when you can sit in open air carriages and let the wind blow through your hair. That is exactly what you will get when you visit Woodford Railway and board one of the heritage trains.
Located approximately one hour north of Brisbane, along the scenic D’Aguilar Highway, is the small country town of Woodford. Turning at the historic painted water tower, you will find the Woodford Railway on the right-hand side down Margaret Street.
When you arrive
The friendly volunteers that greet you on the platform and help you board the train, are full of local knowledge and their passion for their beloved railway and all things locomotive is evident. As the Diesel train rambles down the tree-lined tracks, an eclectic mix of horses can be spotted in the surrounding paddocks. Note: recently around 300 metres of housing development has popped up on one side of the tracks.
It is also nice just to sit back and breathe in the fresh country air.
Staff inform us there are plans in the future for the café at the end of the line to re-open and also for the track to be extended further. The steam locomotives are also under repair but should hopefully be back on track in the near future.
Train History
There is a small display room on the platform which you can wander around and learn more about the historical trains and carriages. There are also other long-standing carriages and tracks dotted around the grounds which are a reminder of a bygone era.
Tickets for the round-trip train ride can be purchased from the Ticket Office, situated in the middle of the platform. Cold drinks and a variety of train books and memorabilia are available for purchase from the office.
The heritage train rides operate every first and third Sunday of the month, with rides starting at 10am and running until 3.30pm (generally stopping between 12:45 – 1.30pm for lunch). The return train journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
Insider Tips
If you have worked up an appetite, why not bring a picnic or throw a sausage on the BBQ in the grounds of the railway. There are plenty of grassed areas and a handful of picnic tables and barbeques. If you prefer, head down the street into town and sample some of the local fare from one of the many coffee shops that line the main street.
If the kids are still full of energy, bring the bikes, scooters or skateboards and spend some time at the Woodford Skate Park, located in the main street of Woodford.
Fares
Check out the website or Facebook for current prices.
Woodford Railway – The Facts
Toilets including an accessible toilet
Free barbeques
Picnic tables
Grassed areas for picnics
Plenty of free off-street parking
More information can be found at http://www.angrms.org.au/ or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodfordRailway/
The Woodford Railway is located at Margaret Street, Woodford, QLD 4514
