COCKLE TRAIN

The Cockle Train is the oldest steel-railed railway in Australia, dating back to 1854 when it was built. Why the name? In the early days of settlement, local residents would take a horse-drawn train to Goolwa to collect cockles (which translates to " cockle " in English).

Route. From Goolwa, cross the main Goolwa to Victor Harbor Road, the line crosses the plains to Middleton, picking up or dropping off passengers on request, then to Port Elliot where it reaches the Encounter Bay coast. The station here is operated by the local National Trust and has a small historical museum.

After leaving Port Elliot, the train climbs to the top of the coastal cliffs and passengers then experience some of the most picturesque coastal scenery on the Fleurieu Peninsula, with nothing separating them from the beach below and a perfect view of the Southern Ocean.

After a 30-minute ride, the train arrives at Victor Harbour station, right in the center of town and surrounded by its iconic pine trees. Here, the locomotive is detached from the cars and fired up on our specially retained 30m long electric turntable before joining the cars for the return journey to Goolwa.

Trains wait about 30 minutes at Goolwa and Victor, and return passengers can extend this period by returning on a later train. No need to book in advance, you can buy your tickets on the spot.