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Western Australia

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View from Hotham Valley Railway train hauled by W920 and W903, between Pinjarra and Dwellingup, 7 October 2009.

Bassendean Railway Museum

www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/pages/bassendean

Bassendean Railway Museum has a collection of locomotives and rolling stock, mostly from the former Western Australian Government Railways. It also has exhibits from private railways within Western Australia. Locomotives range from 1881 0-6-0 steam locomotive Katie, to X1001, the first mainline diesel locomotive to operate with the Western Australian Government Railways. The museum also has a collection of railway artefacts and photographs. It is open on Wednesdays and Sundays, and is located approximately 10 km north-east of Perth.

 

Bennett Brook Railway

www.bbr.org.au

Bennett Brook Railway is located in Whiteman Park, a large park in north-east Perth, and is operated by the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association. The railway operates over 6 km of track and includes three stations. Bennett Brook Railway has locomotives and rolling stock from Western Australia, Queensland and South Africa. Trains operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with daily services during school holidays. Whiteman Park is located approximately 20 km north-east of Perth.

 

Busselton Jetty Train

www.busseltonjetty.com.au/attractions/jetty-train

The Busselton Jetty Train takes passengers on a 1.7 km journey along Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. A solar electric locomotive hauls small carriages, with up to 50 passengers being conveyed on each trip. The railway was formerly used to transport cargo. Trains operate daily. Busselton is located approximately 220 km south of Perth.

 

Captain Hussey Historical Train Tour

www.rottnestisland.com/see-do/culture-history/captain-hussey-historical-train-tour

Captain Hussey Historical Train Tour on Rottnest Island uses a railcar built in 2003 to transport passengers over the 6.3 km railway from Settlement railway station to Oliver Hill and return. Trains operate daily and trips can include a guided tour of the gun batteries at Oliver Hill. Rottnest Island is 11 km long and is located 18 km west of Fremantle. Ferries operate from Fremantle, Perth and Hillarys Boat Harbour in north Perth.

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Carnarvon Heritage Precinct

www.carnarvon.org.au/about-the-region/history-and-culture/carnarvon-heritage-precinct.aspx

Carnarvon Heritage Group manages the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct. Attractions include the Railway Station Museum. On display are 0-4-0 tank locomotive Kimberley and other historical exhibits. The Railway Station Museum is open daily. The Railway Station Museum is open daily. The train are not currently operating. Carnarvon is located approximately 910 km north of Perth.

 

Collie Historical Rail Precinct

www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Collie_Historical_Rail_Precinct/56b26c522cbcbe7073ae495a

Collie Historical Rail Precinct is managed by Collie Heritage and Men’s Shed group.

It has displays regarding railways and the coal industry in the Collie region. The group maintains the former railway goods shed and is restoring items of rolling stock. Located at the site are three former Western Australian Government Railways steam locomotives and a diesel shunting locomotive. The site is open on Mondays and Fridays. Collie is located approximately 200 km south of Perth.

 

Coolgardie Railway Station Museum

https://aumuseums.com/wa/south-eastern/coolgardie-railway-station-museum

Coolgardie Railway Station Museum is housed within the former railway station building on the now closed narrow gauge railway line between Perth and Kalgoorlie. The museum has a former Western Australian Government Railways Pmr Class steam locomotive, rolling stock and other artefacts. It is open daily except Mondays. Coolgardie is located approximately 560 km east of Perth.

 

Donnybrook Visitor Centre

https://donnybrookwa.com.au/visitor-centre/

Donnybrook Visitor Centre is housed within the former Donnybrook Railway station building. It includes a museum with railway photographs and historical items. The centre is open from Mondays to Saturdays. Donnybrook is located approximately 200 km south of Perth.

 

Esperance Municipal Museum

www.aumuseums.com/wa/south-eastern/esperance-municipal-museum

Esperance Municipal Museum is housed within a former railway goods shed. Railway exhibits include a former Western Australian Government Railways W Class steam locomotive. The museum is open daily. Esperance is located approximately 730 km south-east of Perth.

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Hotham Valley Tourist Railway

www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au

Hotham Valley Tourist Railway has a collection of over 20 steam and diesel locomotives, as well as heritage rolling stock, mostly from the former Western Australian Government Railways. It operates steam-hauled trains between Dwellingup and Isandra on the former Pinjarra to Dwellingup branch line. Services operate on Sundays from May to October, with additional services during school holidays. Hotham Valley Tourist Railway also operates the Dwellingup Forest Train over 8 km of railway between Dwellingup and Etmilyn. These trains are hauled by diesel locomotives, although steam is used on occasions. Services operate on Saturdays throughout the year, with additional trains on Sundays and public holidays from November to April.

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Merredin Railway Museum

www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/business/attractions/merredin-railway-museum

Merredin Railway Museum is housed within the old Merredin railway station. It has a collection of railway and other items regarding the Merredin region. Displays include a G class steam locomotive, a diesel electric shunting locomotive, rolling stock, a signal box and photographs. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Merredin is located approximately 260 km east of Perth.

 

Old Northam Railway Station Museum

www. www.northam.wa.gov.au/recreation-attractions/art-culture-heritage/old-railway-station-museum.aspx

Old Northam Railway Station Museum is located in the former Northam railway station building on the narrow gauge railway line that closed in 1966. Displays include a former Western Australian Government Railways Pmr Class steam locomotive, rolling stock, photographs and artefacts. The museum is open daily. Northam is located approximately 100 km east of Perth.

 

Pemberton Tramway Company

www.pemtram.com.au

The Pemberton Tramway Company operates a diesel tram over a 10 km route from Pemberton to Warren River Bridge and return, along the former Pemberton to Northcliffe railway line. It is a scenic journey that crosses bridges and traverses tall forests. Trams operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday services during some school holidays. At its Pemberton depot the company has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives and various items of rolling stock. Pemberton is located approximately 330 km south of Perth.

 

Perth Electric Tramway Society

www.pets.org.au

The Perth Electric Tramway Society operates heritage electric tramcars at Whiteman Park, located in north-east Perth. Trams run over 4 km of track between Whiteman Village, Mussel Pool picnic area and Whiteman Village Junction railway station. The society has a collection of over 20 trams from Perth, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Melbourne, Ballarat, Brisbane and Adelaide. Trams operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with daily services during school holidays. Whiteman Park is located approximately 20 km north-east of Perth.

 

Pilbara Railways Historical Society

www.prhs.org.au

Pilbara Railways Historical Society aims to preserve items representing the heavy haul railways of the Pilbara region. It operates the 6 Mile Museum in Karratha, containing a collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Visits can be made by appointment. Karratha is located approximately 1550 km north of Perth.

 

Rail Heritage WA

www.railheritagewa.org.au

Rail Heritage WA was formerly known as the Australian Railway Historical Society, Western Australia Division. Activities of Rail Heritage WA include operating the Bassendean Railway Museum and the South West Rail and Heritage Centre, restoring heritage railway vehicles and equipment, maintaining a railway archive, publishing books and producing The Westland, a quarterly magazine featuring aspects of railways in Western Australia.

 

Revolutions Transport Museum

www.whitemanpark.com.au/attraction/transport-heritage/revolutions-museum

Revolutions Transport Museum is located at Whiteman Park, located in north-east Perth. It has a range of exhibits relating to various modes of land transport heritage. Railway and tramway exhibits include a former Western Australian Government Railways carriage and a former Kalgoorlie tramcar. It is open daily except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Whiteman Park is located approximately 20 km north-east of Perth.

 

South West Rail and Heritage Centre

www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/pages/swrhc

South West Rail and Heritage Centre is operated by Rail Heritage WA. It has a collection of items regarding the railway and agricultural history of south-west Western Australia, which are housed in a former railway goods shed and part of a rebuilt roundhouse. Exhibits include steam and diesel locomotives and historic rolling stock. The centre is open on the fourth Sunday of each month, with other open days at various times. It is located at Boyanup, approximately 190 km south of Perth.

 

Walkaway Station Museum

www.everythinggeraldton.com.au/directory/community-groups/walkaway-station-museum

Walkaway Station Museum is housed within the former Walkaway railway station, which closed in 1966. Exhibits include a former Midland Railway Company B Class steam locomotive, a former Western Australian Government Railways O Class steam locomotive, photographs, documents and other items. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Walkaway is located approximately 400 km north of Perth.

  

Yarloop Workshops

www.yarloopworkshops.com.au

Yarloop Workshops previously operated a museum and workshops that were open to visitors. Exhibits included displays regarding the timber industry, railways and industrial steam engines. The complex was destroyed by bushfire in 2016, but the Management Committee hopes to rebuild in the future. Yarloop is located approximately 120 km south of Perth.

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Maryborough is a regional town in Victoria with a population of around 8000 people. It is located 224 km by railway north-east of Southern Cross station in Melbourne. Maryborough railway station has a vast building of a size that would usually be found in a major capital city, rather than a medium-sized regional town. There are several myths and inaccuracies about the station.

 

Railways Reach Maryborough

A railway from the east reached Maryborough on 7 July 1874 with the opening of the section from Castlemaine on the Bendigo line. No official ceremony was held to commemorate the opening, reportedly because the first station building had not been finished. From Maryborough the line was extended north to Dunolly three months later on 6 October. The following year Maryborough was connected from the south with the opening of the railway from Ballarat via Clunes on 2 February 1875. Another year brought a new railway when the line was opened from Maryborough westward to Avoca on 21 October 1876. It was now a location with railways extending away in four directions.

 

Maryborough’s first station was opened on 7 July 1874 with the first railway to reach the town. Although it contained waiting rooms, a dining room, lamp room and residence, it came to be seen as inadequate to service the growing railway traffic in Maryborough. The new station, which is the current station, was built on the site of the first station, which continued to operate as work progressed. Work commenced in 1890 and it was completed in 1891.

 

Maryborough Station

David Swanson was awarded the contract of nearly £21,983 for construction of Maryborough station. Its base is made from bluestone slabs, and most of the construction is made of red bricks. Cement rendering was used for decorative purposes. The building contains 25 rooms. A total of 511 square yards (427 square metres) of tiles were used for the floors in the booking hall, refreshment room, kitchen and toilets. The tessellated floor was done by Cawkwells of Malvern, who also tiled the floor of Parliament House in Melbourne. Around 66,000 slates were imported for the roof, and 18,000 square feet (1672 square metres) of glass was brought from Melbourne to use in the skylight. The entrance portico is supported by four marble columns, each 12 foot 4 inches (3.8 metres) in height, and has bluestone steps leading to it. Marble mantelpieces were used in the rest rooms. The booking hall has decorative timber work in its ceiling. The verandah of the station building features a hipped roof with a continuous louvred lantern along the ridge. Cast-iron columns also function as downpipes for storm water, which is stored in underground tanks. Maryborough’s platform is 328 metres in length, and the verandah extends for 101 metres. Although the station building had a clock tower from its opening, a clock was not installed until 1914.

 

Construction was scheduled to be finished on 1 April 1891, but was not actually completed until 30 August. Plans were in place for an official opening ceremony and reception, with Premier Duncan Gillies to unveil a foundation stone, on 7 November 1890. However, Gillies was overthrown as Premier on 5 November and the ceremony was cancelled. There is a story that a foundation stone acknowledging Gillies was laid with the inscription facing inwards. However, a search during renovation work during the 1980s was unable to find any evidence of an inscription on an inward facing stone.

 

It has been claimed that a banquet to commemorate the completion of the station building was held in its dining room on 28 August 1891, although work was not actually complete until two days later. However, a search of newspapers at the time reveals no reports of a banquet or any official opening for the building.

 

Why such a large station?

A myth suggests that bureaucrats involved in the planning and design of the station building believed that it was to be constructed at Maryborough in Queensland, a much larger town at the time. However, Queensland and Victoria were separate colonies with their own railway systems. It is unlikely that such a mistake would have occurred. Additionally, station architecture in Queensland and Victoria at the time had distinctive differences.

 

The official reason given for construction of such a large station building is that the existing facilities at the time were inadequate. Part of the historical significance of the station is that it is an example of the lavish expenditure on railways at the time. The Railway Construction Act of 1884 led to the building of 59 new lines and other works. It is often referred to as the ‘Octopus Act’ because the new lines spread out like the tentacles of an octopus. Many lines were built for political reasons and were never profitable. Although the railways to Maryborough had been opened before this time, it was an era of massive railway expenditure. Maryborough was seen as an important hub of the state’s railway network and an elaborate station building was part of the facilities required.

 

Duncan Gillies, who was Premier of Victoria and Minister for Railways when the station design was approved, had previously represented Maryborough in the Legislative Assembly, and he retained business interests in the town. When Alfred Outtrim, the local Member of Parliament at the time, advocated the need for a new station at Maryborough, Gillies sent him to the planning office of Victorian Railways. Outtrim returned with a design that was approved by Gillies. The design had been an alternative for Spencer Street (now Southern Cross), one of the largest stations in Melbourne. Gillies’ connection with Maryborough may have had some influence in him approving the large station.

 

Mark Twain

It is often stated that American author Mark Twain described Maryborough as a station with a town attached. What he actually wrote was, “…you can put the whole population of Maryborough into it...”

 

Mark Twain visited Maryborough during his travels in October 1895. In his book Following the Equator he recalls a gentleman he met on the train on the way to Maryborough who described its station.

Don’t you overlook that Maryborough station, if you take an interest in governmental curiosities. Why, you can put the whole population of Maryborough into it, and give them a sofa apiece, and have room for more. You haven’t fifteen stations in America that are as big, and you probably haven’t five that are half as fine. Why, it’s perfectly elegant. And the clock! Everybody will show you the clock. There isn't a station in Europe that’s got such a clock. It doesn’t strike — and that’s one mercy. It hasn’t any bell; and as you’ll have cause to remember, if you keep your reason, all Australia is simply bedamned with bells. On every quarter-hour, night and day, they jingle a tiresome chime of half a dozen notes — all the clocks in town at once, all the clocks in Australasia at once, and all the very same notes.

 

Later History

Maryborough was one of the last areas in Victoria to see regular steam locomotive workings. Railway enthusiasts came to see and capture the sights and sounds before dieselisation took hold. By the end of 1967 steam operations in the area had ceased.

 

With the replacement of The Vinelander passenger train by road coaches in September 1993, Maryborough station was closed. Restoration work on the station commenced in 2006 and was completed in June 2008. Passenger services were re-introduced on 25 July 2010.

 

Today Maryborough station sees several services daily with VLocity trains operating between Ballarat and Maryborough. The building also features a café, bar and gallery.

 

References

‘A station with a town attached’, Victorian Collections, https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/a-station-with-a-town-attached, accessed 6 October 2025.

Berry, M ‘A station with town attached’, Future Rail Newspost, August 2017, pp. 10–12.

‘Maryborough railway station, Victoria’, Heritage Council Victoria <https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/692>, accessed 6 October 2025.

‘Maryborough railway station, Victoria’, Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryborough_railway_station,_Victoria> accessed 6 October 2025.

Banger, C, ‘The Ballarat to Maryborough line and its branches – 1975–2010, Newsrail, vol. 39, no. 12, December 2011, pp. 359–71.

Turton, KW, ‘Maryborough as a railway centre’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 299, September 1962, pp. 133–140.

Turton, KW, ‘The centenary of the opening of the railways from Castlemaine to Dunolly and Ballarat to Maryborough’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 448, February 1975, pp. 25–52.

Twain, M, Following the equator: a journey around the world, American Publishing Company, Hartford, 1897.

Victorian Railways, Report of the Victorian Railways Commissioners for the year ending 30th June, 1891, Victorian Railways, Melbourne, 1891.

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Maryborough station building, 18 December 2017.

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Maryborough station with a VLocity train consisting of 1123, 1332, 1223 at the platform, 18 December 2017.

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