As Time Out Sydney’s Travel and Hotels Editor, my Instagram stories are typified by (often nauseatingly smug) pictures from the state’s most beautiful corners: beachside hotels and honeymoon-worthy beach towns and magnificent barren landscapes. But no nugget of content has ever garnered as much attention as the nerdy picture I posted from the Zig Zag Railway: the heritage steam railway that winds its way through the Blue Mountains.
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When the Zig Zag Railway first opened back in 1869, it was considered a marvel of 19th-century engineering – a spectacular set of machinery able to climb through steep mountain terrain. One and a half centuries later, trains have come a very long way – but this adorable coal-powered railway has more fans than ever.
What is the Zig Zag Railway?
Part time machine, part joyride, the Zig Zag Railway is one of the most charming relics of Australia’s steam-powered past. Lovingly rebuilt and maintained by an army of dedicated volunteers, this heritage railway winds through dramatic sandstone viaducts and lush mountain bushland, offering passengers a front-row seat to the region’s natural beauty – soundtracked by the cinematic puff and whistle of a fully restored steam train.
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Why is the Zig Zag Railway called the Zig Zag Railway?
The name comes from the“zig-zag” pattern that helps the trains climb through the Blue Mountains' steep escarpment – a series of connected sections running back and forth down the mountain.
Where is the Zig Zag Railway?
You’ll find this little time capsule just outside Lithgow, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains. The starting point is perched high above the valley in Clarence – about two and a half hours north-west of Sydney. Once on board, the line zig zags through the sandstone, eucalypt-studded valley.
Where does the Zig Zag Railway go?
The existing route runs through the rugged western edge of the Blue Mountains, tracing a short stretch between Clarence Station (at the top) and Bottom Points Station (at the base of the escarpment, near Lithgow). Rather than linking towns or major stops, the line’s purpose is all about the journey itself – winding through dramatic sandstone cuttings, across towering viaducts, and past sweeping bushland views. At the starting point at Clarence, you can grab a coffee and a pie from the on-site café, buy a t-shirt from the gift shop and explore the stationary vintage cabins that wait on the grounds. Once it’s time to climb aboard (trains generally depart at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm daily), settle in and feel the nostalgic chug as the train pulls away from the station. The line then slowly descends through the famous “zig-zag” formation – switching direction twice as it drops roughly 200 metres down the mountain. Along the way, you’ll cross three historic sandstone viaducts and pass through forest that bursts with pops of wattle in the springtime, and glows amber as the leaves turn in the autumn. The train stops at Bottom Points Station, where visitors can explore the workshop, take a few photos, then re-board for the return climb to Clarence.
How do you get to the Zig Zag Railway?
If you’re driving from Sydney, take the Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains and follow the signs to Clarence once you pass Lithgow – the starting point is just off the B59 in Clarence, with a large (free) car park. Prefer to travel by train? Regular NSW TrainLink services run to Lithgow, and from there it’s a quick taxi or bus ride to the Zig Zag platform.
How much are tickets for the Zig Zag Railway?
Tickets start at $46.50 for adults and $30 for kids, with family and concession passes available. All profit goes straight back into keeping this historic beauty on track – so think of it as your contribution to preserving the past.
Do you need to book for the Zig Zag Railway?
It’s best to book ahead, but you can get lucky by rocking up on the day. To play it safe, book your tickets over here.
Where to stay near the Zig Zag Railway
For dedicated trainspotters, it’s worth booking a couple of nights at Tiny Billy: a magical tiny home (complete with wood-fired hot tub) that directly overlooks one of the railway’s beautiful arching viaducts.
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