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The Southern Highlands Explorer – It’s Tulip Time in Bowral Saturday 19 September 2026 Discover the Southern Highlands with East Coast Heritage Rail WISH TO ENJOY A HIGH TEA ON YOUR JOURNEY?(Full details below) Step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel on an unforgettable journey with East Coast Heritage Rail. Travel aboard a beautifully restored heritage train to the picturesque Southern Highlands, visiting the charming towns of Mittagong, Bowral and Robertson, where stunning landscapes, fascinating history and unique attractions await. Your adventure begins at Sydney Central Station, where you'll board our magnificently restored 1930s heritage carriages, hauled by classic diesel locomotives. Sit back and relax as we make an express run through Sydney's suburbs before climbing into the scenic Southern Highlands in unparalleled comfort and style. Enjoy a relaxed and personalised travel experience with access to our licensed bar and buffet service. Our friendly and enthusiastic onboard attendants will be available throughout the journey, ensuring your day is both comfortable and memorable. Looking to make your day even more special with a High Tea? Book a High Tea in Premier Class(Car 3 - FRN) by first selecting your Premier train fare, then High Tea ticket. On the day enjoy our exclusive onboard hospitality, including: - A welcome glass of bubbles - A delicious High Tea served at your seat (price $50pp). Must be purchased with Premier Fare - Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the journey. Just present your train ticket for refills. - On the homeward journey share a cheese platter. Choose Your destination OPTION 1: Joadja Historic Site & Whisky Distillery Alight at Mittagong Station and join a coach transfer to the historic village of Joadja. The 45-minute scenic journey takes you to one of Australia's most significant industrial heritage sites. Your visit includes: Lunch A guided two-hour tour of the historic Joadja shale mining village A visit to the Joadja Whisky Distillery Optional whisky tastings Afternoon tea Tour Cost Adults: $59 Children (6–15 years): $39 Guests may choose to bring their own lunch for a reduced tour cost. How to Book First, select your train ticket on the East Coast Heritage Rail booking site, then Joadja coach transfer Be sure to tick Mittagong Station as your destination Then book your Joadja Site Tour, including lunch and afternoon tea, through: https://www.trybooking.com/DNKPU About Joadja Joadja Creek was once home to the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company Ltd and a thriving shale mining township during the late nineteenth century. The remarkable mining technology that remains in the valley is of national heritage significance and represents the only surviving example of its kind in the world. OPTION 2: Explore Bowral's Tulip Time & Fairground Follies Disembark at Bowral and enjoy approximately three hours to explore one of the Southern Highlands' most elegant towns. Browse boutique shops, relax in charming cafés, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Tulip Time. Tulip Time at Corbett Gardens Located in the heart of Bowral, Corbett Gardens is the centrepiece of the annual Tulip Time Festival. Featuring more than 80,000 mass-planted tulips, the gardens showcase an extraordinary display celebrating the colour, beauty and variety of one of the world's most beloved flowers. The festival also includes entertainment, market stalls and family-friendly attractions. Entry tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. For further information and bookings visit: Tulip Time Festival Corbett Gardens is just 350 metres (approximately a five-minute walk) from Bowral Station via Wingecarribee Street and Bong Bong Street. Walking Directions from Bowral Station to Corbett Gardens Many private gardens throughout the Southern Highlands also open to the public during Tulip Time. Fairground Follies(93-95 Kirkham Road, Bowral) Why not combine your Tulip Time visit with a trip to one of the region's most unique attractions? Fairground Follies is a magical collection of vintage fairground and musical attractions, featuring: A beautifully restored 100-year-old carousel Thousands of fairy lights A magnificent dance hall organ Violin-playing machines Rare mechanical musical instruments For more information visit: Fairground Follies OPTION 3: Discover the Waratahs of Robertson Alternatively, travel to Robertson and enjoy more than four hours exploring this charming Southern Highlands village. Special displays of New South Wales' iconic waratah flower will be featured around the station precinct, with waratah plants and memorabilia available for purchase. Local experts will be on hand to provide growing advice and horticultural tips. Robertson is rich in railway history and serves as the rural heart of the Southern Highlands. Spend time discovering the village, browsing local shops, enjoying lunch at one of the many cafés and eateries, or simply relaxing in the peaceful parklands adjacent to the railway station. With its welcoming country atmosphere, fascinating heritage and beautiful surroundings, Robertson offers a delightful alternative for those seeking a slower-paced Southern Highlands experience. THINGS TO DO IN ROBERTSON The Village of Robertson things to do website RESTAURANT INFORMATION IN ROBERTSON The Village of Robertson Where to Eat website CONFIRMED TIMETABLE Central to Robertson Sydney Terminal - 08:00am depart Strathfield - 08:13am Granville - 8:28am Liverpool - 8:46am Glenfield - 8:55am Campbelltown - 9:10am Picton - 9:38am Mittagong - 10:35am arrive Bowral - 10:42am arrive Robertson - 11:16am arrive Robertson to Central On the day, please follow instruction from your Passenger Attendant for precise departure timings at Robertson for the return journey. Timetabled arrival times for the return journey: Robertson - 4:15pm depart Bowral - 4:43pm Mittagong - 4:54pm Picton - 5:39pm Campbelltown - 6:11pm Glenfield - 6:25pm Liverpool - 6:35pm Granville - 6:59pm Strathfield - 7:12pm Sydney Terminal - 7:28pm CARRIAGES, FARES AND TICKETS Fares are available from Sydney Central, Strathfield, Liverpool, Glenfield, Campbelltown and Picton. Fare Types: Compare the different seating options for each carriage on our Seating Page Interurban: MFS - sitting carriages with mostly four facing seats and a table Tourist: SFN - sitting carriages with booths containing four facing seats and a table Premier: SBN - spacious sitting carriage with four facing individual seats and a table Group Compartment: XFS - a large compartment for up to 8 people to enjoy a private group atmosphere, spacious for 6 Bus fare to the Robertson Show is included in the train fare. Show tickets are to be purchased separately on this booking system. Fare Categories: Adult Senior (Seniors card may be presentable on request at boarding) Child (4 to 16 years) Infants who do not occupy a seat (and travel on their parent's lap) do not require a ticket, however you must call us to ensure their name is recorded on the adult ticket. Group bookings welcome (minimum 20 passengers). Discounts available in Interurban and Tourist Classes. Family Bundle Deal (2 adults and 2 children) is calculated upon checkout Show ticket - discounted price of $10 per adult and $6 per child(under 12 free) BOARDING INFORMATION Our trains usually depart from Platform 1 at Sydney Central Station and pick up as shown on our timetable. Please check departure indicators at your joining station in case of platform changes. If you are using a Sydney Trains or NSW TrainLink service to connect with our train, visit www.transportnsw.info or call 131 500 to plan your journey. Our tickets DO NOT include travel on Sydney Trains or NSW TrainLink services. Seating on our trains is allocated - as a courtesy to passengers joining the train at other stations, please occupy only the seats allocated on your booking unless advised by your Passenger Attendant. Please ensure you arrive at your boarding station AT LEAST 15 MINUTES before our scheduled departure time. As we share the lines with many other trains, we cannot wait for late passengers. BUFFET SERVICE There is a licensed buffet service available on the train, serving hot and cold light refreshments including tea/coffee, soft drinks, scones and cream, and a selection of cakes and confectionary. Please note, our train is a licensed venue, so there is strictly NO BYO permitted. We ask that you please bring gold coins and cash in small denominations for all onboard purchases to help our buffet team, as EFTPOS facilities are very intermittent on most trips due to limited reception. You are also welcome to bring your own food on the train! A wide selection of high quality souvenirs is also available on our trains. PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES, PRAMS AND STROLLERS Strollers and prams must be of the foldable type and able fit in the luggage racks above passenger seats. If there are passengers with disabilities in your group, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss options prior to booking tickets and we will assist however we can. Please be mindful that our heritage carriages have narrow doors, aisles and walkways, and are not equipped with wheelchair spaces. Due to the carriage layouts it is unfortunately not possible for wheelchairs to be manoeuvred to seats from the entrance vestibules, so it is necessary for passengers to be able to make their way to their seats. Walking frames must be able to be stowed, as there is limited storage space and items may not be stored in aisles or doorways in case of evacuation. For more information please visit us online at www.echr.com.au or contact us.