SteamRanger Heritage Railway, South Australia

08/06/2026

🎄It's that time of year again for our annual Christmas in July dinner train!

What could be better than a twilight steam train journey through the Adelaide Hills, a three course dinner and getting to celebrate Christmas a whole 6 months early!?

🎟️ Tickets are already half sold, so get in quick before they are all gone!

https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/event/christmas-in-july-5/

08/06/2026

It's time for some Winter Highlander Specials!

This winter we have three specials that will be on offer for selected departure dates from June through to August.

💲Save, Save, Save!
Save 10% off Adult, Concession and Child Fares on selected departure dates using the code [ Winter2026 ] in the discount code section after selecting your tickets.

☕️Morning or Afternoon Tea
Enjoy locally sourced, Scone, Jam & Cream with a cup of Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate for the Adults and cup of Hot Chocolate or Fruit Drink for the Children.
Selected travel dates. Only available on the departures from Mount Barker.

🍩 Donut Express
All children* receive a donut and fruit drink upon departure from Mount Barker and an activity pack on the return journey.
Selected travel dates. Only available on the departures from Mount Barker. *Child tickets must be booked online prior to departure date.

Visit our website steamranger.org.au for more information and to book your tickets.

02/06/2026

An important announcement from the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition! This short video explains both transport options and parking methods so a must watch for anyone new to the Adelaide Showground.

If you're visiting this year make sure to come and say hi to our friendly volunteers, we'll be attending as normal with our stall of railway artefacts, books and magazines! 🚂🚂

31/05/2026

🚂 Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition! 🚂

If you’re free this long weekend, come and visit the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition! Held annually, this year the team has moved to the Adelaide Showgrounds in Wayville. We’ll be there with our stall, selling Dr Wilson’s popular books, along with magazines and framed photographs - all within the $2.00 - $70.00 range! Also up for grabs will be vintage railway artefacts from years gone by. This is a great opportunity to pick up these any of these if you missed our Mount Barker Railfest last week!
Proceeds from our stall will be going towards our Brill 43 Project, and your support will allow us to eventually bring a 1920’s era 3-car Brill set back to life, bringing a new way for our passengers to experience South Australian country travel.
We’ve already completed one-third of this project, with Brill Railcar 60 now available for private-hire charter trains (and occasional public runs) along our historic railway line.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit:
https://www.modelrailwayshow.org.au/
For more information on our trains, please visit:
https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/

25/05/2026

REMINDER: There is no Cockle Train service scheduled in our running program for Wednesday 27th. This is due to prearranged track maintenance. This service will operate as usual from Saturday 30th.

25/05/2026

Great to be part of a collaborative search & rescue exercise alongside Strathalbyn State Emergency Service and Strathalbyn SA Ambulance Service.

Our Strathalbyn volunteers worked together in a realistic scenario, with SES drone and land search teams locating the casualty, SA Ambulance delivering critical care, and SteamRanger volunteers supporting safe rail operations and transport.
Exercises like this are invaluable for strengthening teamwork and readiness, ensuring we’re prepared when it matters most.
A big thank you to everyone involved in organising the night!

23/05/2026

Due to unprecedented demand, an additional carriage has been added to all Railfest shuttle trains between Mt Barker and Bugle Ranges. Tickets will be available from Mt Barker station from 9am this morning!

Get in quickly, as they are sure to sell fast!

Send a message to learn more

23/05/2026

Our annual Mount Barker Railfest opens tomorrow morning!
Don’t forget that our three steam locomotives will be operating shuttle trains between Mount Barker and Bugle Ranges! The 10am train is fully Sold Out, but if you missed booking online, please see our friendly staff at Mount Barker Station tomorrow to purchase your tickets for the other services! Be quick though, as the other trains are rapidly filling up!

We look forward to welcoming everyone at the 2026 Mount Barker Railfest! 🚂

21/05/2026

🚂 Railfest Steam Shuttles! 🚂

Don't forget - this Sunday (24th May) is our annual Mt Barker Depot Open Day, and as part of the event, all THREE of our operating Steam Locomotives will be working together to haul the special shuttle trains to Bugle Ranges and back!

🌳 Part of the journey will take you over the highest point of our railway, Philcox Hill, and is a rare opportunity to take in the sounds and smells of Rx207, Rx224 and 621 as they charge up and over the hill! Definitely not a trip to miss!!🌳

🎫 Tickets are available from our website, or at Mount Barker Station on the day - we recommend booking in advance to avoid missing out!
https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/event/mount-barker-railfest-2/

20/05/2026

🚂💙 Celebrating National Volunteer Week 💙🚂
This week is National Volunteer Week – Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering!
At SteamRanger Heritage Railway, our trains don’t just run on steam… they run on the passion, dedication, and hard work of our incredible volunteers. From driving and maintaining our heritage locomotives to welcoming passengers and preserving railway history, every journey we offer is made possible by our volunteer team.

This year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer,” is a reminder of the important role volunteers play in bringing communities together and keeping traditions alive.

👏 To every volunteer who gives their time, skills, and enthusiasm — thank you.�You are the heart of SteamRanger, and we are truly grateful for everything you do.

🚉 Join us this Sunday at Rail Fest!�Our volunteers will be there throughout the day, ready for a chat — and it’s the perfect opportunity to see them all in action and experience the passion behind the railway up close. If you have ever thought getting involved, there has never been a better time to step aboard and make a difference.