Train lovers will be excited to hear that after ten years, the popular tourist attraction Zig Zag Railway near Lithgow is set to blow smoke again and take families back in time.
The Zig Zag Railway has received its full accreditation from the Office of National Rail Safety Regulator to carry passengers and has announced it will be opening on Saturday 27 May.
The excitement is growing to climb aboard the steam engine and see puffs of smoke as it chugs along the track and zig zags down the steep mountainside.
As the author of “Zig Zag Railway Spotto Book” I was lucky enough to go for a ride last weekend before the official opening later this month. I enjoyed the experience even more than when I was a child, and it was so special sharing this experience with my family.
So many people have fond memories of riding the Zig Zag Railway when they were kids. Now as adults, we have a chance to take our kids and relive the journey.
Seeing the excitement on their faces when they saw the steam train for the first time with the whistle blowing and the puffs of smoke was priceless.
They loved going through the tunnels and across the viaducts.
It’s an unforgettable experience and like many others, I’m looking forward to the reopening of this much loved tourist attraction.
There is something special about riding in a carriage with the windows open, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and travelling through tunnels and across viaducts that were carved from local sandstone back in the 1860’s.
The Zig Zag Railway was first opened in 1869 and has stood the test of time.
It was considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time as it connected Sydney with Western New South Wales, which was previously only accessed over the Blue Mountains on roads by horse-drawn vehicles.
In 1910 a faster deviation was completed, through a series of ten tunnels, leaving the Zig Zag Railway line non-operational.
The Zig Zag Railway Co-operative (a volunteer organization) reopened the Zig Zag section of the line in 1975, allowing passenger services up and down the mountainside.
Unfortunately, it was temporarily closed due to a large washaway and then two major bushfires in the region, but the Co-op kept working in the background to rebuild this iconic train line and get the service up and running again.
Good to know
When: The Zig Zag Railway will reopen this year on Saturday 27 May 2023, and has received its final accreditation. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Zig Zag Railway website. It’s best to prebook your tickets to avoid disappointment.
Duration: The train ride is a pleasant hour and half return journey that is perfect for young families. It is a memorable day out for young and old, and a chance to ride on a historic steam engine.
Where: Zig Zag Railway is located at Clarence, 11 minutes drive from Lithgow, NSW in the Blue Mountains region. If you plan to arrive by car there is ample free parking at Clarence Station, where you can begin the return journey – a pleasant 90-minute experience.
Clarence station has had a makeover with a new and improved carpark that is large enough for all passengers to park here. This car park located at 840 Chifley Road, Clarence NSW 2790
There is also an option to arrive by train, and adjoin from Bottom Points Station. Again, pre-booking is essential for when riding from Bottom Points station.
Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time to get your tickets. There are toilets, a gift shop and café at Clarence Station. Please note the other stations do not have a café and have only minimal toilets, so best to go before you ride at Clarence.
Where to eat: The Zig Zag Railway Café is located at Clarence station, at the start of your Zig Zag journey. Here you can grab a coffee and a snack and also some souvenirs. You can take your food and coffee on the ride. There are picnic tables also for families to have a picnic lunch at Top Points Station and Bottom Points Stations but there no cafes at these stations, so be prepared.
There are picnic tables also for families to have a picnic lunch at Top Points Station and Bottom Points Stations but there no cafes at these stations, so be prepared.
Wear appropriate clothing: Don’t forget to dress warm and bring a jacket as it is gets cold up in the mountains.
While you are in the area: The Seven Valleys Region has much to offer. Amazing camping spots and 4WD tracks, a glow worm tunnel, breathtaking lookouts, Aboriginal art, National Parks and museums. You can find out more about the region by stopping into the Lithgow Visitors Centre for advice, or through their website.
Books for kids: There are many great books for adults on the Zig Zag Railway, but Spotto Books has created a book specifically for kids to use while riding aboard the historic railway.
“The Zig Zag Railway Spotto Book” was created specifically for riding the Zig Zag Railway and is filled with pictures of everything you will spot on the hour and a half return train ride.
There are pictures of things to spot at all the stations and while riding the steam train, like viaducts, tunnels, signals and parts of the locomotive. It’s fun and educational, and a great souvenir of your day.
The second half of the book is filled with all the wonderful places to visit and mark off whilst visiting the stunning Seven Valley Region. These include many breathtaking lookouts, the glow worm tunnel, Portland Silos, Lake Lyell and Lake Wallace.
It can be purchased at Clarence Station Gift Shop where you pick your tickets up to ride, or you can get a signed copy from me on the official opening day Saturday 27th May or online on the Spotto website.
Like to Volunteer? Zig Zag Railway runs on volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to donate please see their website.
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Jess Day is the Founder of Spotto Books, a series of books for kids to use in the car to stop boredom. She has published 13 books in this series.
Jess is widely travelled and of all the beautiful locations within Australia, she chose to bring her 2 children up in the Hunter Region. Jess enjoys the outdoors, camping, photography and playing Spotto.