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 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.
A wide selection of high-quality souvenirs is also available on our trains.
CARRIAGES, FARES AND TICKETS
Fares are available ex Sydney (departing Central, Wolli Creek and Sutherland) or ex Illawarra (departing Thirroul, Wollongong or 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 and ABN- 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
- Twinette: ABN – a private compartment for two.
- 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
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.
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
- Central Station depart 9:06am
- Wolli Creek 9:19am
- Sutherland 9:46am
- Thirroul 10:36am
- Wollongong 10:53am
- Unanderra 11:06am
- Robertson arrive 12:31pm (approximately 3 hours in town)
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 5:01pm
- Wollongong 5:10pm
- Thirroul 5:22pm
- Sutherland 6:12pm
- Wolli Creek 6:35pm
- Central arrive 6:50pm
Contacts
East Coast Heritage Rail, Central Station Sydney, Eddy Avenue, Haymarket NSW, Australia
W. www.123tix.com.au/events/40635/the-cockatoo-run-sunday-19th-may-2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT PLEASE USE THE ORGANISER CONTACT DETAILS ABOVE