Kids. Love. Trains…….especially ours. So if you have a little train enthusiast in your family we’ve made it easy for you to fill up your weekends with Adelaide’s best train experiences. There’s of course train rides, but don’t forget the museums, train themed playgrounds and mini railways you can check out for your little ones. You could seriously travel most of South Australia checking out all of the train related activities! Toot toot!
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide is an awesome place to check out Australian railway history through interactive educational activities, climbing into the cabs of trains, taking free train rides and comparing the old steam trains to the trains of today. There’s even a really cool mini railway!
More info >>
www.kidsinadelaide.com.au/national-railway-museum
Semaphore Steam Train
The Semaphore to Fort Glanville train departs from the foot of the jetty at the end of the popular Semaphore Road cafe strip, and parallels the Esplanade and the sand dunes of one of Adelaide’s most popular swimming beaches, before passing through the dunes near historic Fort Glanville at Point Malcolm.
More info >>
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/semaphore-steam-train/
Pichi Richi Railway
The volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc operate a working heritage steam and diesel railway in the timeless Flinders Ranges SA. You can enjoy a full-day or half-day trip aboard a restored steam or heritage diesel train on the original Ghan route between Port Augusta and Quorn on the Pichi Richi Railway. All trains use historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars or immaculately restored timber carriages some more than 130 years old.
More info >>
www.pichirichirailway.org.au
SASMEE Park
Located near Goodwood Train Station, SASMEE Park offers unlimited miniature train rides on two track options. Watch remote controlled boats cruising on the lake, check out some real-world steam engines… and eat hot chips from the canteen!
Open first Sunday and third Saturday of every month and only $12pp for unlimited rides. Pre booking is essential.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/sasmee-park-train-rides
Copper Coast Miniature Railway
Copper Coast Rail is operated by members of the Copper Coast Old Machinery and Engineering Club, usually on the 1st and 3rd Weekend of the Month. Check their page regularly for updates on the next run day.
More info >>
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/copper-coast-railway-kadina/
Penfield Park Miniature Railway
Penfield Park Railway holds open days on the last Sunday of each month, January to November between noon and 4:30pm. Also, on the second Saturday during October, November, December, January, February and March, a twilight open day is held from 6pm until 9pm. Entry is $12pp or $40 per family.
More info >>
https://pmes.org.au/
Roseworthy Railway Club
Roseworthy Railway Club is a Model Engineering club and as such encourage and promote all branches of Model Engineering. The Railway runs for the public every third Sunday of the month from April to October from 12:30pm to 4:30pm and November to March on every third Saturday of the month from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Current fares are $3 per ride.
More info >>
Check their Facebook page
Lakeside Railway, Clare
This miniature railway is situated in Melrose Park near Clare, which is about 10 hectares in size and contains a 2 hectare lake. With a large track and 3 bridges and a tunnel it’s a beautiful scenic trip. There is also another section and bridge under construction.
Operating every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month between 1:30 and 4pm. $2 per ride, kids under 3 years free.
More info >>
clarevalleymodelengineers.org
Kadina Playground
Victoria Square in Kadina is where you’ll find the Apex Express! This park is about 2 hours from Adelaide, at the top of Yorke Peninsula and also has a fully fenced/shaded little kids playground and a brand new and EPIC treetop playground. Come for the train, stay for the play.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/victoria-square-kadina-playground
Croydon Playground
“Train Kids” will love this train themed park as it’s right next to the Croydon Train Station and the kids can view the train coming and going frequently- right up close!
Don’t worry- the playground is fully fenced!
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/croydon-playground
St Kilda Tramway Museum
Open on Sundays from 12 noon until 5pm. Admission is $10 for Adults and $7.00 for Children / Concession for unlimited tram riding on the day.
Find out more >> https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
Princess Margaret Playground
This playground sits right on the train line in Black Forest so the kids can watch the train coming past while they are playing. This playground is fully fenced keeping little people very safe.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/princess-margaret-playground
(image credit Michael McGeever)
Train Spotting at Port Adelaide
Port Milang Historic Railway Museum
The Milang Railway Museum is situated on the banks of Lake Alexandrina just an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It offers an interesting experience for both the railway enthusiast and families. It is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers.
The museum is open from noon to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Entry to the museum is free and there are FREE train rides on Sundays.
Steamranger
SteamRanger Heritage Railway operates a number of different heritage steam and diesel hauled tourist trains between Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, up over the crest of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, down to Strathalbyn.
More info >> www.kidsinadelaide.com.au/steamranger-heritage-railway
Cockle Train
Commences its run each day at Goolwa station, in the historic Wharf Precinct alongside the River Murray. After crossing the main Goolwa to Victor road the line heads off across the plains to Middleton, picking up or dropping off passengers on request, and then to Port Elliot where it reaches the Encounter Bay coast. The station here is operated by the local National Trust and features a small historical museum.
More info >> www.kidsinadelaide.com.au/steamranger-heritage-railway
Morphett Vale Miniature Railway
Located in Morphett Vale, Wilfred Taylor Reserve, off of Wheatsheaf Road. It’s a 7¼” gauge non profit club that provides train rides to the public on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, but closed on the last Sunday of December. (See the Run Days for dates).
Opening time is 1pm to 4.30 pm, and a daily ticket is available for $9 per person, which provides unlimited rides. Children under 2 years of age can ride for free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
More info >>
http://www.mvrail.org.au/
Adelaide Metro Trains
The Adelaide Metro train service is the main train service throughout metropolitan Adelaide. It operates daily, with 5 major lines. Gawler, Flinders, Belair, Tonsley, Seaford. Jump on board and make a day of it, see where you end up – the options are endless!
More info >>
www.adelaidemetro.com.au
Adelaide Minature Steam Railway, Prospect
The Adelaide Miniature Steam Railway Club is located at Railway Park in Prospect. Take the family down to view and ride their range of super cool miniature trains! As one of numerous miniature railway parks in Adelaide we think this is another great spot to take kids aged 2-12 or train enthusiasts of any age!
Entry to the Park is $8 per adult and $6 per child – all train rides are included. Open on the 4th Sunday of each month, except December from 1-4pm.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/adelaide-miniature-steam-railway-prospect
Tolley Reserve Nuriootpa (Train Park)
A large open space area great for kids of all ages and abilities. Play equipment is inclusive, accessible and great for all kids and includes a set of swings, a Liberty Swing, small flying fox, bouncing horse sea saw and of course the train that you can climb up on and play on.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/tolley-reserve-nuriootpa-train-park
Kapunda Lions Park – Leo the Steamtrain
50 meters from the main street is a gem for children’s entertainment in Kapunda.
This fully fenced playground facility has been well thought out in its design.
Standing proudly in the middle is Leo, the train. An old steam engine from the copper mining day of the town. There is also seating and a pergola, which is very popular for parties.
More info >>
kidsinadelaide.com.au/kapunda-lions-park
Tailem Bend Playground
This playground is well worth a stop if your travelling through Tailem Bend. With a full size train that you can climb on and sit in the drivers seat, it’s a kiddies dream! Also plenty more there to have a run around and burn some energy.
More info >>
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/tailem-bend-playground/
GT Fisher Reserve, Victor Harbor
This playground has recently undergone a huge makeover and it’s fabulous! The play area caters for a variety of ages. For the older kids there are lots of climbing options and heaps of funky elements, sculptures and the like that inquisitive eyes will appreciate. For younger kids there’s lots of rocks and logs to balance on, ropes to climb and slides for all sizes.
The GT Fisher Reserve playground upgrade has swings, slides, plenty of ‘hiding’ options (cubbies, teepees etc), heaps of climbing and balancing equipment, sandpits and of course great, nature inspired elements.
More info >>
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/gt-fisher-playground-victor-harbor/
Naracoorte Holiday Park
You may be accustomed to holiday parks having a jumping pillow and maybe a kids games room, but how about a huge mini train IN the park! You don’t have to be a big train lover to enjoy doing a few laps with the kids around their track.
More info >>
https://naracoorteholidaypark.com.au/facilities/
Train Spotting at Mt Lofty Station, Adelaide Hills
In the leafy back streets of Stirling, you can access the Mt Lofty Station where kids will delight in seeing the large Melbourne line trains pass through. HIGH supervision is required as you can access the platform and tracks, but we suggest simply watching from the car. The littlest to the biggest of train enthusiasts will be delighted to count the carriages!
More info here >>
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/adelaide-hills-top-picks-kids/
Moonta Tourist Train
The best way to experience the National Heritage Area of the Cornish Mining Sites in Moonta is by the unique Moonta Tourist Train. This fun guided tour will take you through the ruins of the Moonta Mines once the backbone of the South Australian economy. Experience how the famous Cornish Miners built this very profitable mine with commentary provided on this 45 minute tour.
Whilst you are there a visit to the Moonta Mines Museum is a must – housed in the old Moonta School – see and listen to the way the children experienced school in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in the interactive School Room. You can’t miss a visit to the Old Sweet Shop – a wonderland of delights. There is lots to see and do when you visit this famous Cornish Mine Site now proudly National Heritage
More info >> https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/things-to-do-and-see-in-moonta/
Steamtown, Peterborough
Peterborough’s Steamtown was once a vast rail operation where over 100 steam locomotives passed through each day before heading to all corners of Australia
In daylight hours, you’ll tour the sheds and the extraordinary heritage-listed ‘Roundhouse’ before getting hands-on with heroic locos and luxury carriages. And at night, you’ll thrill to the award-winning ‘Sound and Light Show’, when this powerful story plays out on a stage like no other.
Open daily, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Peterborough is an easy three hour drive north of Adelaide.
www.steamtown.com.au
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