Where do I meet for the tour?

Check in at Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Crescent, Warwick QLD 4370. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

No. BYO alcohol is not permitted on the train; a selection of alcoholic beverages is available from the onboard cafe carriage.

What payment methods are accepted?

Bookings are made online (VISA/Mastercard). The onboard cafe accepts EFTPOS where reception allows; carry some cash in case of black spots.

Is the train accessible?

Ramps provide step-free access at stations, but there is one step to navigate when boarding. You must be able to walk a few paces.

What is the refund or cancellation policy?

There are no refunds. You can change the tour date or receive a credit towards a future tour stored in the booking system.

How do I sit with my friends?

Email events@downsexplorer.org.au with your booking name, your friends’ names and the tour date; the team will try to place you together.

Heritage Rail Ride Through the Granite Belt: Warwick to Stanthorpe Return

Board the Downs Explorer heritage train in Warwick and spend a day tracing the rails across Queensland’s Granite Belt to Stanthorpe. Departing from Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Crescent, Warwick QLD 4370, this return trip unfolds across 10.5 hours of high-country scenery: vineyards tumbling down sunlit slopes, working orchards, historic sandstone ruins, timber bridges and two heritage rail tunnels that punctuate the climb through the Southern Downs. The journey feels old-fashioned — whistle, polished timber, and a cafe carriage serving snacks and drinks as the countryside slides past. Granite underpins the landscape here; outcrops and tors give the region its name and feed soils that sustained orchards and wineries. Look for bands of red-brown sandstone beside the track and the remnants of 19th-century stonework that hint at earlier industry and rail-building efforts. Stanthorpe itself is one of Australia’s top small-town escapes, offering cellar doors, seasonal fruit stands and streets to pace between tastings. On arrival you’ll have several leisure hours to wander the main street, visit a winery, or hike a trail before meeting the train for the departure. The timetable is straightforward: check in at 7:30am, depart Warwick at 8:00am, arrive Stanthorpe around 10:30am, reboard at 3:30pm and return to Warwick by roughly 6:30pm. Before you board, arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in—free parking is available at Warwick Station and toilets sit on the platform. BYO alcohol is not permitted; the cafe carriage stocks snacks, hot drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages, though EFTPOS may be intermittent in black-spot sections so carry a little cash. Morning tea can be purchased at Stanthorpe platform during the stopover if you need a quick bite before exploring. Pack sunscreen for sunny days. Practical notes matter: this is a not-for-profit volunteer-run service, so ticket revenue helps maintain historic rolling stock and local heritage. Toilets are available on all carriages and stations; ramps provide step-free access though there is a single step to negotiate. Tickets are non-refundable, but you can change the tour date or convert your booking into a credit for future travel. Consider becoming a member to support restoration and keep heritage services running. Why book this trip? For travelers seeking slow travel through a compact, geologically distinct wine and orchard region, this ride pairs nostalgia with easy access to local producers. Photographers love the tunnels and sandstone cuts; food-lovers appreciate the market stalls and cellar doors in Stanthorpe. Families and older visitors find the pacing forgiving — a full day out without the need to drive. The Downs Explorer delivers accessible, scenic transport that doubles as a local conservation project — it’s a way to experience the Granite Belt’s geology, agriculture and railway heritage in one intentional outing.