What to expect from the Kiama Picnic Train

Step back in time aboard the completely intoxicating vintage Kiama Picnic Train – a living museum on rails.

Forget Opal, Myki and Go cards, or apps showing delayed schedules. The golden era of rail travel – think mid-19th century glamour with lacy gloves and parasols – soared train rides to the height of sophistication. Did you know the New South Wales coastline captures that enchanting vintage energy today?

The Kiama Picnic Train is a steam locomotive ride that runs scattered return services during the cooler months. Departing Sydney, the adventure sends you back in time, inviting you to bring your own picnic hamper (or snap up their morning high tea service) to enjoy in glamorous dining carts while soaking up coastal views and dropping into Kiama. Here’s everything to know to catch the Kiama Picnic Train’s next onward journey.

When does the Kiama Picnic Train operate?

a photo of the traditional steam train, Kiama Picnic Train — Kiama’s traditional steam train sends you back in time. (Image: The Picnic Train)

You’re transported to an era where rapid technology didn’t exist so, fittingly, the Kiama Picnic Train’s timetable is just as leisurely. The team took a break during the 2025 summer months but returned in winter to schedule two Kiama journeys in July and August (at the time of publishing, there were still available seats on August 23 and August 24, with more dates available soon).

To get across future dates, stay across the team’s Instagram and Facebook pages, which are both regularly updated. You can also sign up to their mailing list via the website to be the first to know.

Where does the Kiama Picnic Train travel to?

the Kiama picnic train wagon winding through grassland — The steam locomotive ride runs through the Royal National Park. (Image: Supplied)

While the team runs various journeys throughout the state, including a return Sydney to Moss Vale expedition, the Kiama Picnic Train commences from either Sydney’s Central Station, Tempe, Sutherland or Wollongong. For specific departure times, check the website’s scheduling.

No matter where you hop on, the route winds through the Royal National Park, sweeping up expansive Pacific Ocean and escarpment views before hitting Kiama anywhere between 12:30pm and 1:10pm. Guests will spend about three to four hours exploring Kiama’s magnetism before jumping back on board to depart at 4:20pm. Guests will arrive back at their return stop just after 7pm.

What to bring on a Kiama Picnic Train journey

comfortable seating in the 'N' type carriage onboard Kiama picnic train — The ‘N’ type carriage has ample, comfortable seating. (Image: Supplied)

A picnic is highly advised, plus it’s a cost-effective way to bring the entire clan on board this magical experience. In even better news, you can BYO alcohol but keep it classy – large Eskys aren’t allowed.

Guests should note that the Kiama Picnic Train also features a buffet carriage selling light snacks and drinks, and a morning high tea service was introduced in mid-2025, but we’ll get to all that yumminess further below.

Keen to capture so many snaps you’ll likely drain your phone battery? Bringing an external battery charger is highly advised as there are no charging points in any of the train’s carriages.

What to expect on the Kiama Picnic Train

Pure magic, in the form of the heritage-listed locomotive 5917, which completed a one-year overhaul and restoration process in 2025. The ex-NSW Government Railways vehicle was built in Philadelphia and started running in 1953, and luckily, the restoration has only enhanced its original beauty.

As the driver sounds the steam whistle –  a highly anticipated and nothing-short-of-delightful moment for all ages – additional operators will physically shovel coal from the train’s tender into a firebox. It’s authentically old-school and worlds away from the train rides you’d typically undertake at home.

What is the vibe on board the Kiama Picnic Train?

the Red Lounge onboard Kiama Picnic Train — The Red Lounge is fitted with plush seats and bright blue carpeting. (Image: Supplied)

Before you even step foot inside one of its carriages, locomotive 5917 dazzles at sheer sight. Jet-black at the operational front end and fire-engine red at the back carriages, not a single stroke of graffiti is spied, leaving this bad boy well and truly in a bygone era.

Inside, the most impressive carriages are fitted with leather booths and polished timber panelling, setting you even further back in time. There are even timber shelves built above for belongings, and tables provide compact room for your family’s delicious spread if you pick the right carriage type.

Speaking of which, there are a few on offer. At the more basic end of the spectrum, the Open Seating Car is without tables and leather, offering cushioned chairs while still maintaining good air-conditioning. The Dining Car is also air-conditioned; however, tables are included between double seats either side (so four people per booth) – but the shiny timber panels and rich leather are omitted.

the Dining Car of Kiama Picnic Train — The air-conditioned Dining Car of the Kiama Picnic Train. (Image: Supplied)

Climbing up the ladder is the First Class Duo, fitted with romantic two-person configurations with tables, red leather seats and openable windows. Vintage prints and carpeting dial up the nostalgia. The mac daddy of the lot is the Four Seater Booth dining cart, offering air-conditioning windows that open, spacious tables and all that coveted polished decor we covered just before.

There’s also Private Compartments with tables that cater for up to eight adults (consider this the party zone) and include tables and openable windows, plus a Red Lounge (sans tables) that throw up a different vibe entirely thanks to an in-carriage bar, plush fabric seats and bright blue carpeting.

A second bar is found within the Blue Lounge and First Class Duo, an air-conditioned space with armchairs and soft lounges.

Facilities span toilets in most of the carriages, but guests should note that they’re not for use while stopping in Kiama. Additionally, small collapsible prams can be brought along but large prams and mobility equipment aren’t allowed, unfortunately.

What type of food is available on board the Kiama Picnic Train?

The most exciting offering is the morning high tea service that runs on the journey to Kiama. The service operates out of the Dining Car and the Four Seater Booth dining cart on most Kiama Picnic Train services and includes an afternoon cheese and fruit platter, plus all-day tea and coffee. It’s priced at $320 per group of two passengers, or $600 per group of four passengers.

There’s also a buffet carriage which sells hot and cold drinks, plus light bites like pies and sausage rolls. Alcoholic drinks can also be purchased.

How much does the Kiama Picnic Train cost?

the Kiama picnic train wagon — Step back in time aboard the vintage Kiama Picnic Train. (Image: Supplied)

A single ticket costs $110, which places you in the First Class Duo carriage where you’ll share a space with three other solo guests. Groups of four seats together in an air-conditioned carriage cost $360 per group, while a Private Compartment will set your group back $550 in total.

Babies and toddlers who don’t require a seat of their own ride for free.

Now discover Australia’s most luxurious train suite

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

This vintage steam train journey serves up coastal views and high tea