Dinner Excursion: Christmas in July

All aboard for a pleasant evening’s journey from Mt Barker to Goolwa

Mount Barker is a pleasant 20 minute drive from Adelaide along the South Eastern Freeway. The journey commences from Mount Barker station stopping in Strathalbyn to pick up passengers. Your ticket includes a twilight two-course dinner at the Goolwa Hotel and return travel from Mt Barker or Strathalbyn.

Leaving Mt Barker mid afternoon, listen to our heritage steam locomotive (or diesel locomotive during the summer months), as it hauls the train up to the crest of the line at Philcox Hill and then winds down the eastern escarpment of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, passing through several long abandoned station sites which bear testimony to the importance of this branch line a century ago.

Crossing the Angas River you then enter the historic township of Strathalbyn where many Scottish migrants settled in the early 1800s, influencing the early architecture which is still evident today. The town is well worth a return visit during the day to explore its well stocked antique shops and cafes. Here the Strathalbyn passengers board. From here, the train may continue on across the mallee scrub, through the former station sites of Sandergrove, Finniss and Currency Creek, before arriving at Goolwa.

Enjoy a country cooked meal, before returning to Mt Barker, stopping at Strathalbyn to allow the Strathalbyn passengers to alight.