Frequently Asked Questions

Currently our steam trains operate out of the Queenstown station, on our Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest, and Lynchford Express journeys.

The steam engines are needed at this end of the line to run the Rack and Pinion section of the track.

Yes, we recommend booking around 6-8 weeks in advance to secure your preferred journey. In the peak summer months, you may need to consider booking further in advance to avoid missing out.

Not always, no. Heritage diesel locomotives were used on the section of line between Strahan and Dubbil Barril from the 1950s, and they are still in service. If your journey travels along the Abt Rack and Pinion section, however, you will definitely be onboard a steam train.

Usually, yes. During one half of the journey you will face in one direction, but once the train travels in the opposite direction (on the way back to your original departure station), so will you. This means you will face backwards either during the first or second half of your journey. As the train moves quite slowly, motion sickness is exceptionally rare, however, should you have any concerns about this, please call our team directly at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

Please see our accessibility page.

Please see our accessibility page.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway is closed on Christmas Day and the King’s Birthday public holiday but operates on other holidays.

We do recommend booking around 4-6 weeks in advance where possible to secure your preferred journey. In the peak summer months, you may need to consider booking further in advance to avoid missing out.

Tickets can be purchased on the day if availability allows, this is more often in the off-season winter months or due to a late cancellation.

Give one of our friendly reservations team members a call on (03) 6471 100 to explain, where possible we will simply switch your booking to the correct journey. This will depend on seating availability on the other journey and day of travel, however we will do our best to help get you back on track.

A moving feast on The Cryptic Express is experienced in the premium carriage onboard The Cryptic Express journey. Each of these journeys depart from our Strahan Station and travel the same section of our line, however if you book in the premium carriage for this journey you will experience ‘a moving feast’ which will include the fine dining offering of our new menu curated by Tasmanian chef, Rodney Dunn.

Our journeys are all suitable for every member of your family, however each one will suit your family’s individual and travel needs differently.

If you’re travelling with young children or prefer a shorter adventure, our Express Journeys offer a convenient and enjoyable way to experience the magic of a train ride without the longer time commitment.

For those wanting a richer, more immersive experience, our Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest journey delivers more to see, explore, and enjoy along the way—making it ideal for families looking to make the most of their day.

Explore all our journeys and find your perfect fit here: https://wcwr.com.au/plan/journeys/

Usually, yes. During one half of the journey you will face in one direction, but once the train travels in the opposite direction (on the way back to your original departure station), so will you. This means you will face backwards either during the first or second half of your journey. As the train moves quite slowly, motion sickness is exceptionally rare, however, should you have any concerns about this, please call our team directly at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

We do have waitlists available for fully booked tours. By calling our reservations team on (03) 6471 0100 you can request to be added to a waitlist for a journey/date of your choosing. We will then call you if the number of seats you have requested become available prior to, or on the day of your desired travel.

This journey departs (and returns) from our Regatta Point Station. Located at 62 Esplanade, Strahan.

This journey departs (and returns) from our Queenstown Station. Located at 1 Driffield Street, Queenstown.

This journey departs (and returns) from our Queenstown Station. Located at 1 Driffield Street, Queenstown.

This journey departs (and returns) from our Regatta Point Station. Located at 62 Esplanade, Strahan.

Unfortunately the Teepookana and the King journey has been temporarily suspended from the current timetable, therefore no information on this tour is available. Bridge and track works withhold this journey from operation into the immediate future, and once these works have been completed the return of this journey will be considered.

We do offer a seniors discount off your ticket price, however this needs to be applied by calling the reservations team on (03) 6471 0100 to make your booking. The discount is then applied at the time before payment is processed.

Our standard carriages seat up to 40 passengers in booth style seating, there are no tables installed in the booths of these carriages. Whilst premium carriages seat up to 26 passengers, also in booth style seating but with a table in between for the light meals that are provided onboard. The balcony at the rear of the premium carriages is also accessible throughout the entire journey.

On our current timetable The Cryptic Express journey operates of a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with departures at 10am and 1:30pm. However these options can vary from week to week so we invite you to visit the specific journey page for more information – https://wcwr.com.au/journey/the-cryptic-express/

On our current timetable the Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest journey operates from Tuesday to Saturday departing at 10am. However these options can vary from week to week so we invite you to visit the specific journey page for more information – https://wcwr.com.au/journey/rinadeena-rack-rainforest/

On our current timetable the Lynchford Express journey operates on a Saturday departing at 2:15pm. However these options can vary from week to week so we invite you to visit the specific journey page for more information – https://wcwr.com.au/journey/lynchford-express/

On our current timetable A moving feast on The Cryptic Express journey operates of a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with departures at 10am and 1:30pm. However these options can vary from week to week so we invite you to visit the specific journey page for more information – https://wcwr.com.au/journey/a-moving-feast-on-cryptic-express/

Each of our journeys offers its own unique adventure, and the best choice depends on the experience you’re looking for.

Our Express Journeys are perfect for those wanting a shorter train ride, featuring scenic views and historic commentary along the way.

Our Expedition Journeys offer all of this and more, with a longer onboard experience, remote station stops, guided activities, and travel deeper into the rainforest, taking you further along the line.

Yes, however this experience is called ‘A moving feast on The Cryptic Express. Travelled on the same journey as the standard carriage but with the added extras of a fine dining experience, offering our new onboard menu curated by Tasmanian chef, Rodney Dunn. A meal with a view, if you like!

Our cancellation policy can be found by visiting the website here: https://wcwr.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

Monday 8:00am – 3:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 3:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am – 3:30pm
Thursday 8:00am – 3:30pm
Friday 9:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday 8:00am – 3:30pm
Sunday CLOSED

Contact number: (03) 6471 0100

Monday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Sunday CLOSED

Contact number: (03) 6471 0100

You should receive your confirmation email shortly after making your booking, if this hasn’t occurred we ask that you please check your junk or spam folders initially to ensure that it hasn’t arrived there. We then ask you to call our team on (03) 6471 0100 and quote your booking reference number, your email address will need to be confirmed and then we can try resending this for you. Please note, you do not need your confirmation email to check in on the day of travel, this email is only for your reference.

We do try our best to accommodate for individual dietary requirements where possible. We ask that you notify us of these requirements at the time of your booking, and any information on this that we may need. We will then work with our kitchen team to best accommodate these changes on the day of your travel.

We do welcome service animals onboard and ask that you notify our reservations team at the time of your booking that you will be bringing them along with you on the day of travel. However for the comfort of other passengers, all other animals aren’t permitted onboard.

We ask that all passengers not travel if unwell. If you are unwell on the morning of departure a minimum of 1 hours notice is all that is required. Refunds due to illness are at the discretion of our reservations team at the time.

All of our journeys are return via locomotive, and your ticket price includes this. Each journey is returned to the main station that it departs from, this being at either Queenstown or Strahan.

As our journeys venture out into remote rainforest areas we are unable to sell one way tickets to these stations. Most of the remote stations that we visit on our journeys have no access other than via our railway. Bushwalking off track in these areas is not permitted for safety reasons.

Although there are no amenities onboard the train itself we do have toilets at each main and remote station along our line. Be sure to check your specific journey for the distance between station stops, and the length of time between access to the bathroom.

Our station platforms and carriages may not always be the same height and this does differ from station to station. There is also a small gap to navigate between the carriage and the platform. Outdoor platforms are wooden and covered with wire and/or non-slip covering to reduce the risk of slips and falls.

For your own safety, in the rare case of an emergency when travelling onboard, you must be able to climb off the carriage independently and walk a short distance along uneven ground.

Accessibility around the railway is individualised, and we invite you to read more about this on our website via the link, https://wcwr.com.au/accessibility/

If you have any further questions about your own personal situation please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss.

We certainly can, we love to talk about our locomotives! As we have so much to say about them we have included a entire page on our website to have a read, you can find it here, https://wcwr.com.au/discover/rolling-stock/

Our child ticket price is for those 17 years and under. Anyone 2 to 17 years of age can be seated under the child fare. Infants under 2 years old are free of charge without a seat allocation.

Absolutely, the rainforest that we travel through is highlighted by the rain! The carriages are fully enclosed with reverse cycle heat pumps/air conditioners and plenty of blankets onboard if needed. Travelling through the rainforest can get a little chilly so be sure to bring your coat in the non-summer months.

*Although we do go ahead rain, hail or shine, sometimes thunderstorms or heavy winds can cause treefalls along the track, in which case may cause delays whilst these are cleared, or cancellations in more extreme circumstances.

Accessibility around the railway is individualised, and we invite you to read more about this on our website via the link, https://wcwr.com.au/accessibility/

If you have any further questions about your own personal situation please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss.