The Cockatoo Run Holiday Special 16 January 2025

School Holidays Special – Cockatoo Run on Thursday 16th January 2025

This January, make the most of the school holidays with a special mid-week adventure on the Cockatoo Run, designed for grandparents and grandkids to enjoy together! East Coast Heritage Rail invites you to experience a nostalgic journey aboard our heritage diesel locomotives, featuring beautifully restored and well-maintained carriages.

On Thursday, 16th January 2025, join us for a memorable return trip from Sydney to Robertson and Moss Vale via Wollongong. This special School Holidays departure offers an exciting opportunity for families to spend quality time together and enjoy exclusive discounted fares available only for this tour.

The Cockatoo Run begins its journey in Sydney, traveling along the stunning Illawarra route to Wollongong. The scenic ride offers spectacular coastal views, followed by the thrilling ascent up the Illawarra escarpment. Climbing 600 metres through lush rainforest, past cascading waterfalls, and over impressive viaducts, the train continues its journey up to Summit Tank. As the climb eases, the landscape changes, with the Hawkesbury Sandstone giving way to the rich red soils and rolling hills of the Southern Highlands.

Throughout your journey, you’ll have the chance to take advantage of our onboard buffet, where you can enjoy a wide range of hot and cold beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks. For a true taste of railway tradition, be sure to treat yourself to our famous railway scones, served warm and fresh with jam and cream, straight from our buffet car. It's the perfect way to relax and indulge while soaking in the stunning views.

In addition, don’t forget to stop by our souvenir shop onboard, where you'll find official Cockatoo Run merchandise – the perfect mementos to remember your special journey!

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind heritage rail experience, perfect for making lasting memories with your loved ones. Take advantage of our exclusive discounted fares, available only for this special tour. Book your tickets today and enjoy a family day out you’ll never forget!

CARRIAGES, FARES AND TICKETS

Fares are available ex Sydney region (departing  Hurstville  and Sutherland) or ex Illawarra  region (departing Thirroul, Wollongong and Unanderra). Illawarra discounts are only applicable to some fare types.

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
• Lounge: CAM - a shared social space with lounge seats facing into the aisle, suitable for a large group.
• Private Berth: CAM - a private space suitable for up to 3 standard adults, perfect for two people
• Group Compartment: XFS - a large compartment for up to 8 people to enjoy a private group atmosphere, spacious for 6

Fare Categories:

• Adult
• Senior (Seniors card may be presentable on request at boarding)
• Child (under 16) - Interurban and Tourist Fares only. 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.

BOARDING INFORMATION

This tour will  commence at Central . 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 slection of high quality souvenirs is also available on our trains.

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

We recommend that passengers make their own lunch reservations in advance, as the venues are capacity constrained. Book early to avoid disappointment!

INDICATIVE TIMETABLE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Central  to Robertson and Moss Vale

• Central           9.06am
• Wolli Creek    9:19am
• Sutherland     9:43am
• Thirroul         10:34am
• Wollongong  10:48am
• Unanderra    10:57am
• Robertson arrive 12:50pm (approximately 2 and a half  hours in town)
• Moss Vale arrive 1.40pm(approximately 1 hour in town)

Moss Vale and 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:

• Unanderra     5:02pm
• Wollongong   5:10pm
• Thirroul          5:23pm
• Sutherland    6:12pm
• Wolli Creek   6:35pm
• Central          6.47pm

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 trains@3801limited.com.au 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.