A moving feast on The Cryptic Express

Dining Experience This is a fully seated dining experience with no station stops

This journey is on one of our operating Diesel Locomotives. More about our Rolling Stock

The Agrarian Kitchen on Board from Strahan

Step aboard a heritage Drewry diesel train at Regatta Point Station and settle in for a moving feast curated by one of Tasmania’s most celebrated chefs.

A Moving Feast – The Agrarian Kitchen on Cryptic Express is a fully seated on-train dining experience exclusive to Premium Carriage passengers. As the train follows the King River inland along historic Macquarie Harbour, you will enjoy a seasonal menu curated by Rodney Dunn, Co-Founder and Executive Chef of The Agrarian Kitchen.

Along the way, guided commentary brings the west coast’s remarkable history to life while the rainforest, river and rugged terrain of lutruwita / Tasmania’s wild west coast unfold beyond the window.

This is the west coast experienced through story, scenery and flavour.

A collaboration with The Agrarian Kitchen

Rodney Dunn is Co-Founder and Executive Chef of The Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk. His award-winning restaurant, cooking school, kiosk and market garden have become synonymous with seasonal cooking and a celebration of Tasmania’s producers.

The Agrarian Kitchen was awarded Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year in 2024 and Tasmanian Restaurant of the Year in 2025.

For this experience, Rodney has curated a menu that highlights some of the state’s best ingredients and producers, bringing the flavours of Tasmania to the wild west coast.

The Menu

Served exclusively to Premium Carriage passengers, the onboard menu celebrates Tasmanian produce and seasonal ingredients.

Each course is designed to be enjoyed as the train winds through rainforest and river country on the journey inland from Strahan. Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Sample Onboard Menu

Spiced Walnuts

Fork it Farm Pork and Lenah Game Meats Wallaby Terrine, housemade Crackers, La Cantara tom al vino, Tasmanian Pickled Onions and Hill Farm Preserves horseradish mustard

Chocolate coated Leatherwood honey Pure Pop

Federation Chocolate Hazelnut and Hemp Seed Praline Chocolate

Book Your Seat

Premium Carriage

Our premium carriage offering, featuring upholstered booth seating for up to 26 passengers. Each booth has a small table between the seats. Your fare includes a glass of sparkling wine or non alcoholic option accompanied by a light meal service during your journey. This carriage also offers a balcony, perfect for up close and personal images with our wonderful locomotives, or the wilderness surrounds as you wind your way through the rainforest.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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

On our current timetable A moving feast on The Cryptic Express journey operates of a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, departing at 10am.

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.

Stopping

  • Return to Regatta Point Station

Premium Carriage*

  • Adult
    $80
  • Child
    $80
  • Family
    N/A
Buy Tickets
*Subject to availability at checkout

More Journeys

A steam train climbing the Rinadeena saddle with the assistance of the Rack and Pinion. A view of the rack in between the rail line in front of the train, rainforest surrounds and steam pouring from the locomotive's chimney.
Expedition Expedition journeys are longer experiences with the Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest hosting station stops and off-train activities.

Rinadeena, Rack & Rainforest

3hr return / 10am departure

Step onboard this steam train experience headed deep into the rainforest, where you will journey through the historic mining town of Queenstown, once cut off from the world except for the existence of this unique railway, and travel to Rinadeena ascending along the famous Abt rack railway.

More Info Buy Tickets
A steam locomotive waiting by the station's platform, a sign displaying that the train is stopped at Lynchford station. Nearby a water tank in the foreground, and steam bellowing from the loco's chimney.
Express Express journeys are shorter experiences with the Lynchford Express visiting the one station, and hosting a few off train activities.

Lynchford Express

1.5hr return / 2:15pm departure

Step onboard our heritage train at Queenstown Station and take the 20-minute journey to Lynchford, once a centre for pioneers, adventurers and those with gold fever!

More Info Buy Tickets
Express Express journeys are shorter experiences with the Cryptic Express being a fully seated, on-train journey.

The Cryptic Express

1.45hr return / 10am & 1:15pm departures

This short return journey offers a relaxed and accessible introduction to the West Coast’s rivers, rainforest, and railway heritage.
As the train eases away from the harbour in Strahan, our onboard guides share stories of the railway, the river, and the people who have lived and worked along this line. 

More Info Buy Tickets

Rinadeena Footplate

3hr return / 10am departure

Join the Driver and Fireman aboard an original Abt steam locomotive, ascending the 1:16 gradient under the power of the Abt rack and pinion system to Rinadeena Saddle and back again.

More Info

Still not sure?

Ask the question...

Still unsure which journey might be for you, or have further questions about the journeys. Contact our team for more information, as we look forward to being able to welcome you aboard!

Contact the Team
The King River following in between rainforest surrounds on either side. A hill behind the river in the background covered by more trees and forest.
The leaves of a native tree in the rainforest.