How do I pay for a ticket?

Payment is via the bookings page shown on the operator website; VISA and Mastercard are accepted. For group invoices contact events@downsexplorer.org.au.

Can I sit with my friend or group?

Email events@downsexplorer.org.au with your booking names and date and the operator will do their best to seat you together.

Is the train accessible?

Ramps are available at stations but there is one step to board; passengers should be able to walk a few paces.

Are food and drinks included?

No—snacks, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase from the onboard cafe carriage; BYO alcohol is not permitted.

What is the refund or change policy?

No refunds are available; you can change your tour date or receive a credit stored in the booking system for future use.

Who runs the service and how do I give feedback?

The service is run by Downs Explorer, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation; email feedback or questions to events@downsexplorer.org.au and learn about membership at www.downsexplorer.org.au.

Heritage Rail to Stanthorpe from Warwick | Downs Explorer Day Trip | Train | Winery

Climb aboard a living slice of Queensland history on the Downs Explorer heritage rail from Warwick to Stanthorpe. Meeting at Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Crescent, Warwick QLD 4370, this round-trip day excursion threads through the Granite Belt, passing sandstone ruins, two heritage tunnels, vineyards and orchard country. The trip runs as a return service with no meals or guided regional tours included, giving you leisure time to explore Stanthorpe’s cellar doors, galleries and high-country outlooks. The train eases uphill through the Southern Downs; windows frame craggy granite outcrops and the occasional stand of eucalyptus. Volunteers operate the service on a not-for-profit basis, and the organisation welcomes members (membership is $30 via www.downsexplorer.org.au). Onboard a cafe carriage you can buy snacks, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages—BYO alcohol is not permitted—while toilets are available in all carriages and on station platforms. Practical rhythm of the day: check in from 7:30am at Warwick Station, depart 8:00am, arrive Stanthorpe around 10:30am. You’ll have a free afternoon to visit top-rated attractions, then reboard mid-afternoon for an approximate 6:30pm return to Warwick. The journey highlights include two heritage tunnels, historic bridges, and views over mixed farming, wineries and orchards that define the Granite Belt. When steam is unavailable the operator will substitute a Heritage Diesel Locomotive, preserving the vintage feel of the ride. Why book this trip? Stanthorpe sits among Queensland’s coolest vineyards and is consistently rated among Australia’s top destinations; the rail journey is both a transport option and an interpretive window onto local geology and land use. The visible sandstone ruins along the line hint at 19th-century industry while granite tors and granite-boulder fields reveal the region’s ancient geology. This quiet, affordable adventure is ideal for families, rail enthusiasts, food-and-wine lovers and anyone who prefers to travel slowly and take in the landscape. Accessibility ramps are provided, though there is a single step to negotiate; check-in requires a short walk. Tickets are non-refundable, but date changes or credits are available through the operator; questions and seating requests should be emailed to [email protected]. Bring a hat, warm layers for winter departures, and a camera—the Granite Belt rewards patient light. For travellers staying locally, Warwick is the closest town with free station parking and a simple start to a day of high-country exploration. Plan to arrive thirty minutes early for check-in, bring cash in case of EFTPOS black spots, and reserve window seats if you prefer scenic views. Local cellar doors often offer tastings by appointment—call ahead during busy weekends. If steam power is operating, the smell and rhythm of coal and steam add to the atmosphere; if diesel runs, focus on the scenery and photograph tunnels from the observation carriage. This trip rewards slow curiosity.