How do I pay for tickets?

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

Can I sit with my friends?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

No refunds are available; you can change the tour date or receive a credit stored in the Downs Explorer booking system.

Are there toilets on the train?

Yes—toilets are available on the platform and in all carriages on the train.

Is the train accessible?

Ramps are available and there is one step to navigate; passengers must be able to walk a few paces.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase from the onboard café carriage; BYO alcohol is not permitted.

Heritage Rail to Stanthorpe: Scenic One-Way from Warwick

Board the Downs Explorer heritage train at Warwick Railway Station (Brosnan Crescent, Warwick QLD 4370) and spend a crisp 2.5-hour, one-way journey into Queensland’s High Country. The route climbs through the Southern Downs and the Granite Belt wine region, carving a corridor of green paddocks, exposed sandstone ruins, timber bridges and two hand-cut railway tunnels that feel unchanged from the steam era. This is a rail trip that reads like local history: weathered sandstone outcrops, the iron rails threading through eucalyptus country, and sudden glimpses of vineyard rows on the valley slopes. From the carriage window you’ll notice sandstone masonry—solid blocks laid for bridges and culverts—that speaks to 19th-century construction methods and the region’s geology. Wildlife is frequent: kookaburras call from roadside gums and wedge-tailed eagles lift on thermals above granite ridges. The ride ends in Stanthorpe, a compact town rated among Australia’s top day-trip destinations, where a short five-minute walk brings you to the Stanthorpe Markets at the station and the tree-lined CBD. The experience is both nostalgic and practical. The volunteer-run Downs Explorer operates authentic heritage carriages with an onboard café carriage selling snacks and drinks; BYO alcohol is not permitted. Toilets are available on platform and in all carriages. Check-in opens at 7:30am at Warwick Railway Station—arrive at least 30 minutes early to board smoothly. You’ll depart at 8:00am and arrive at Stanthorpe around 10:20am. There are no return transfers or included meals, so plan onward travel or an afternoon tasting at a nearby cellar door. Tickets are non-refundable under the advertised policy, though you can change your date or receive a credit held in the Downs Explorer booking system — contact [email protected]. Carriage attendants are volunteer guides who can point out tunnels and masonry; commentary often accompanies the trip. If you need seating together, email ahead. On arrival, the Stanthorpe Markets at the station and nearby cellar doors make a relaxed half-day itinerary: sample local cheeses, craft preserves and regional wines before you return. Why book this trip? It’s accessible rail nostalgia without the fuss of organizing specialty transport; the line itself cuts across a range of scenery—heritage tunnels, historic sandstone ruins, and high country pastures—that you won’t see from the highway. It’s affordable, family-friendly, and ideal for photographers, wine tourists and anyone wanting a slow, scenic approach to Stanthorpe’s food and wine scene. Practical notes: wear enclosed shoes and warm layers in winter, expect a single step to board (ramps available), and bring cash if you prefer—EFTPOS works but some black spots exist. To book, use the Downs Explorer website or the FareHarbor referral link provided. For questions or seating requests email [email protected]. Downs Explorer is a not-for-profit run by volunteers—your trip supports local heritage preservation.