Visitor information

Operating hours

The NSW Rail Museum is now reopen for weekend visits only.

For further information, including session times and how you can book, please visit our NSW Rail Museum Weekends page.

Heritage train rides remain suspended until further notice.

Group bookings

The NSW Rail Museum offers a range of options to ensure your group has an unforgettable rail heritage experience.

Tours are led by NSW Rail Museum Volunteer Guides and are included in your entry fee. We tailor the tours to suit your interest, itinerary and mobility.

Download our Group Visit Guide [PDF]

Group pricing

Groups receive a 10% discount on museum entry and Thirlmere Heritage Railway tickets.

Catering

We can also arrange catering for your group. Contact us to discuss your needs and we will be happy to assist.

Bookings

All groups visiting the NSW Rail Museum must book in advance.

Booking enquiries can be made by phone on 1300 11 55 99, or by downloading the below form and emailing to customers@thnsw.com.au

School and vacation care groups

Visit our learning page.

Food and drink options

The NSW Rail Museum kiosk remains closed

Only a limited range of snacks and cold drinks are available at the reception counter.

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.

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!

Accessibility

The NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere has:

Accessible toilets
Hearing aid loop in the theatrette
Single level access to all areas
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

The NSW Rail Museum occupies a site that is more than 1 kilometre in length from end to end. It is recommended that visitors with limited mobility plan their visit to include rest stops.

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.
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.

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 from Sydney

Travel to Thirlmere by public transport is available on ordinary weekdays only. Services are few; the connections are reliable.

From Sydney departure from Central by any train to Macarthur departing before 7.45am will ensure connection at Campbelltown to the Southern Highlands train. Just cross the platform.
From the western suburbs take any train to Glenfield then cross the platform to the Macarthur train. The services are timed to connect with each other.
At Picton change to a waiting bus. The bus is contracted to NSW Trainlink to provide a connecting service. It will not depart until after departure of the train TO Sydney.
Remember to “tap off” at Picton before boarding the bus.
Return buses depart Thirlmere at 1.30pm and 5.25pm.
Detailed timetable information (including a map) is available from www.transportnsw.info or by calling 131 500.
The travel planner is very detailed and can be relied upon.
Bus details are also available from www.berrimabuslines.com.au
The bus route is 828 and passes the Museum entrance in Barbour Rd.
The most convenient alternative is a taxi between Thirlmere and Tahmoor – about 5kms.