What payment methods are accepted?

Payments are made via the online bookings page; VISA and Mastercard are accepted. For group invoices email events@downsexplorer.org.au.

Can I sit with a friend or family group?

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?

Refunds are not available. You can change the tour date or receive a credit stored in the booking system for future use.

Are there food and drink options onboard?

Yes — the café carriage sells snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages; BYO alcohol is not permitted.

Is the train accessible?

Ramps are available but passengers must be able to walk a few paces; there is one step to board. Please advise accessibility needs by emailing events@downsexplorer.org.au.

Is parking available at Warwick Railway Station?

Yes, free parking is available at the station; arrive early to secure a spot and allow time for check-in.

Warwick to Hendon Heritage Train — Downs Explorer Family Rail Trip | Train | History Tour

On a sunlit afternoon in the Southern Downs, the Downs Explorer chugs out of Warwick Railway Station, Brosnan Crescent, Warwick, QLD 4370, for a short, family-ready heritage run to Hendon and back. The experience titled March 2027 - Warwick to Hendon (Return) – Heritage Train for Families with young Children - Departs 1:00pm unfolds over roughly three hours and is designed to be low-stress for parents and endlessly curious for little travelers. Polished carriages, volunteer crew, and an onboard café make this more than a commute; it’s a playful introduction to living history. Check-in begins at 12:30pm with free parking at the station; the train departs at 1:00pm. Children receive a free activity pack and crayons to keep hands busy while the rolling patchwork of farmland, pasture, and intermittent stands of eucalyptus slide past the windows. At about 2:15pm the train pauses at Hendon while the locomotive runs around the consist — a favorite engineering moment for kids — then everyone stays on board for the 3:00pm departure and a return arrival at approximately 3:45pm. The route offers clear sightlines to the Southern Downs countryside rather than dramatic cliffs or peaks; its appeal is intimacy and accessibility. Onboard toilets in every carriage, an accessible ramp (with a one-step to negotiate), and an EFTPOS-enabled café carriage with snacks and beverages make the outing straightforward for families. Note that phone coverage can dip in black spots, and while EFTPOS is available, having some cash is recommended. Downs Explorer is a not-for-profit run by volunteers, which gives the trip a community-driven feel. The fleet alternates steam and heritage diesel depending on availability; where steam is not operating the Heritage Diesel Locomotive will be used. That combination of operational authenticity and approachable timing — short enough for small attention spans, long enough to feel like a proper outing — is what makes this a standout family activity in the Warwick area. Practical details matter: arrive 30 minutes early, bring sunscreen, and purchase any special snacks you need before boarding. Tickets and payments are handled online; questions and seating requests go to [email protected]. Be aware of the booking terms: refunds are not available, but you can change your tour date or receive a credit stored in the booking system. Onboard the café carriage you can buy snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages; BYO alcohol is not permitted. Toilets are available in all carriages and at stations. Seat-with-friends requests and other questions should be emailed to [email protected]. Consider becoming a member for $30 to support the volunteer organisation online today.