Cockatoo Run - Saturday 24th April 2021

East Coast Heritage Rail invites you to join us on the Cockatoo Run, hauled by heritage diesel locomotives and featuring our beautifully restored and maintained carriages. This heritage train operates a return tour from Sydney through to Robertson OR  Moss Vale* via Wollongong. 

The Cockatoo Run commences its journey in Sydney and travels along the spectacular Illawarra route to Wollongong. The journey from Sydney offers spectacular coastal scenery prior to the ascent of the Illawarra Escarpment.

The line climbs 600 metres through rainforests, past waterfalls, and the spectacular viaduct on the line. The train makes a stop at Summit Tank* to admire the view over Lake Illawarra out to the Tasman Sea.  The historic Southern Highland township of Robertson with its old town atmosphere and the rustic appeal is generally a great tourist stopover in which to spend some time and enjoy lunch (see below for details).

You have the choice of detraining here or alternatively continuing onto Moss Vale before we return to Central, again via the Illawarra.

* Subject to finalisation of COVID safety measures with network controllers.

NSW GOVERNMENT PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER REQUIREMENTS

The Cockatoo Run is considered as an entertainment venue for the purposes of compliance with the NSW Government Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order.  

Please note, East Coast Heritage Rail will be applying all relevant Pubilc Health orders on the day of the train, which may be different to those that are in place at the date you book.  We will provide an update if required.

Seating

Only 75% of our seated capacity will be made available for sale, consistent with that order.  25% of the seats will be blocked from sale.  You are able to choose your seats that you wish to sit in for the journey, however please note that seats next to you might be booked by others.  Should you wish to book all four seats or all two seats, you may do so.  If you wish to book more seats grouped together (eg for 6 or 8 people), please contact our office. 

Health order requirements

At the date of tour launch, the following requirements will be in place on the Cockatoo Run.  We will revise these as neccessary and advise you of any impacts.

• All passengers must purchase a ticket in advance of travel
• All passengers must be named on the ticket and the primary booking passenger must provide an email address and telephone number
• When booking your ticket, you must affirm that you will withdraw yourself and your immediate contacts from the tour before the tour date if you are unwell.  A full and unconditional refund will be provided to any pasenger who withdraws from travel due to covid concerns.
• Passengers must remain in their seat at all times, the only exception being to board and de-board the train, and go to the toilet. 
• Passenger Attendants will prevent movement between carriages and monitor that passengers are seated at all times.
• Subject to our ability to arrange additional wait times with the network controllers, Passenger deboarding and boarding at Summit Tank and Robertson will be conducted on a carriage by carriage basis. Please fillow the instructions from your Passenger Attendants at all times.
• A limited buffet service will be provided to the seat.  You will not be able to walk to the buffet car.
• Staff will be wearing masks and hand sanitiser will be made available for use.

Our COVID-19 Safe Plan will be available on the train should you wish to inspect it.

CARRIAGES, FARES AND TICKETS

Fares are available ex Sydney (departing Sydney, Sutherland and Hurstville) or ex Illawarra (departing Thirroul, Wollongong or Unanderra)

Carriages (if on train)

CAM502 and CPJ924 - Mixed lounge and compartment cars

SBN2195 - Premium 2x2 seating in a first class carriage

SFN2182, MFS2096, MFS2145 - Economy 2x2 seating in an economy class carriage

MBR2087, FRN2186 - Economy 2x2 seating, with a buffet in the same carriage

XFS2015 - Compartment seating for small groups

Fare Types

Private berth (CAM502 car)

Private space suitable for up to 3 standard adults, perfect for two people

Lounge (CAM502 or CPJ924)

A shared social space suitable for a large group

First Sitting (SBN car)

Spacious sitting carriage with mostly four facing seats and a table

Economy Sitting (SFN, FRN, MBR and MFS cars)

Sitting carriages with mostly four facing seats and a table

Fare Categories

• Adult
• Seniors (Seniors card may be presentable on request at boarding)
• Child (under 16) - SFN and MFS only.  Young children 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 ticket.

BOARDING INFORMATION

The Cockatoo Run usually departs from Platform 1 at Sydney Central Station and picks 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 by visiting https://transportnsw.info/ or by calling 131 500 to plan your connecting journey to Central. Remember our tickets DO NOT entitle you to travel on Sydney Trains or NSW TrainLink services. Seating on the Cockatoo Run is allocated. As a courtesy to passengers joining the train at other stations, you are requested to occupy only the seats allocated to your booking unless otherwise advised by your passenger attendant.

Please ensure you arrive at your boarding station at least 10 minutes before our scheduled departure time. As we share the railway with many other trains, we CANNOT and WILL NOT wait for late passengers. 

BUFFET SERVICE

A buy on board, to the seat, light buffet service will be available.  Credit card payment will be the preferred method of payment, however some areas of track do not have mobile reception so delays to taking payment may occur.  Please bring cash in small denominations to help our buffet team.

You are of course welcome to bring your own food on the train.

The train is a licensed venue and so no BYO will be allowed on the train.

THINGS TO DO IN ROBERTSON

• Enjoy a leisurely lunch (see below)
• Visit the Robertson Heritage Railway Station
• Walk around the villiage and enjoy the viliage atmosphere
• Visit the Old Cheese Factory
• Take in some art at the Southern Highlands Art Cooperative
• Visit the Illawarra Fly and Treetop Adventures (please contact venue for bookings and transfers)
• Go and see the Big Potato!

RESTAURANT INFORMATION IN ROBERTSON

Please make your own reservation as the venues are capacity constrained due to the NSW Governement public health orders.  Avoid dissapointment and book early.

• The Robertson Public House and Kitchen - (02) 4885 1202
• The Robertson Bowling Club - (02) 4885 1306 
• The Robertson Hotel - (02) 4885 1111
• Moonacres Kitchen - (02) 4885 1788
• Southern Rise Bakery - (02) 4885 2345 (closed some Sundays)
• Pizzas in the Mist - (02) 4885 1799
• Lucinda's Pantry - (02) 4885 2425
• The Whey Cafe at the Old Robertson Cheese Factory - 0415 730 709

INDICATIVE TIMETABLE (SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION BY NETWORK CONTROLLERS)

On the day, please follow insutruction from your passenger attendant for precise departure  timings at Robertson and Moss Vale for the return journey.

Central to Robertson/Moss Vale

• Central Station depart 9:06am
• Hurstville 9:29am
• Sutherland 9:46am
• Thirroul 10:36am
• Wollongong 10:53am
• Unanderra 11:06am
• Robertson arrive 12:31pm
• Moss Vale arrive 1:40pm

Moss Vale/Robertson to Central

• Moss Vale depart 2:55pm
• Robertson depart 3:45pm
• Unanderra 5:01pm
• Wollongong 5:10pm
• Thirroul 5:22pm
• Sutherland 6:12pm
• Hurstville 6:25pm
• Central arrive 6:50pm

PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES, PRAMS AND STROLLERS 

Prior to booking tickets please contact East Coast Heritage Rail at trains@3801limited.com.au  if there are passengers with disabilities in your group to discuss options. 

Please be aware that the carriages on the Cockatoo Run are heritage cars and have narrow doors, aisles and walkways and are not equipped with wheel chair spaces. Because of space constraints it is impossible for Wheel chairs to be manoeuvred to seats from the entrance vestibule. It is necessary for passengers to be able to make their way to seats. Walking frames must be able to be folded as there is limited storage space and may not be stored in aisles or doorways. 

Strollers and prams must be of the foldable type and fit in the luggage rack above passenger seats. 

For more information visit us online https://eastcoastheritagerail.com.au/ or contact us.