VISITOR INFORMATION
Operating hours
The NSW Rail Museum is open 7 days per week (except Good Friday and Christmas Day).
Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Heritage train rides operate most weekends and during school holidays. Check the what's on page for upcoming events, including dates and times.
Group bookings
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount on museum entry and Thirlmere Heritage Railway tickets.
All groups visiting the NSW Rail Museum must book in advance.
Once submitted a customer service officer will be in touch to assist with confirming your booking.
Download our Group Visit Guide [PDF]
School and vacation care groups
Food and drink options
The NSW Rail Museum kiosk
On weekends, a small range of drinks, tea, coffee, pre-made sandwiches, salads and snacks are available from the NSW Rail Museum Kiosk.
On weekdays, we encourage visitors to stop by one of the many local cafes, pubs or restaurants — either before or after your visit to the NSW Rail Museum. For more information on local eateries visit the Visit Wollondilly website.
Picnic areas
With over 10,000 square metres of lawns and sheltered picnic tables, the grounds are the perfect place to have a picnic – don’t forget a rug!
Support our local cafes, pubs and restaurants
To support our local community following the extended period of closures due to bushfires and now COVID-19, we’re encouraging visitors to stop by one of the many local cafes, pubs or restaurants either before or after your visit to the NSW Rail Museum.
For more information on local eateries visit the Visit Wollondilly website.
Accessibility
The NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere has:
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Accessible toilets
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Hearing aid loop in the theatrette
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Single level access to all areas
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Ramp access to the Great Train Hall platform and Roundhouse
Parking
There is plenty of free street parking on Barbour Road, including designated bays for disabled parking.
Please be advised
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The NSW Rail Museum occupies a site that is more than 1 kilometre in length from end to end. The walk from reception (Barbour Road entrance) to Thirlmere station where our heritage trains leave, is approximately 10 minutes walk. It is recommended that visitors with limited mobility plan their visit to include rest stops.
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Prams and wheelchairs will not fit through the doorways of the carriages in the Great Train Hall and some exhibits are accessible only by stairs.
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Prams and wheelchairs will not fit through the doorways of the carriages on steam train rides. However, a safe storage place will be provided and assistance to board the trains is available if required.
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Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the NSW Rail Museum grounds or on our heritage train rides. Accredited assistance dogs are excepted.
How to get here
The NSW Rail Museum is in Thirlmere, within easy reach of Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong and the South Coast.
Address
NSW Rail Museum
10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere NSW 2572
By public transport
The NSW Rail Museum is approximately five-nine kilometres from the nearest train stations, Tahmoor and Picton, which are on the Southern Highlands rail line.
A bus service from Picton station can connect you to the Museum, with a 600 metre walk from the bus stop. NB. Bus services are infrequent and do not operate on Sundays.
A limited taxi service is in operation for travel from Tahmoor station to the Museum – be sure to call ahead to book the service. As a guide only, travel to the Museum by public transport from Sydney’s Central Station is approximately two hours.
For the most up-to-date transport information, take a closer look at the following options to chart your journey:
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Call NSW Transport Info line on 131 500
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Use Google Maps (below) to get directions.