Goolwa to Victor Harbor tourist train: The Cockle Train in South Australia

The Cockle Train is a tourist heritage railway running from Goolwa to Victor Harbor in South Australia. Steam trains are often put on during the school holidays.

The Cockle Train is one of the best tourist attractions in Goolwa, South Australia. But what is the Cockle Train? Well, it’s a tourist railway that runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor, and it does so on the oldest steel tracks in Australia. The railway from Goolwa to Port Elliot – later extended to Victor Harbor – opened in 1854. Back then, the trains were pulled by horses.

SteamRanger Heritage Railway in South Australia

The Cockle Train is operated by SteamRanger Heritage Railway, which runs a number of different tourist trains in South Australia. Others go from Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, down to Strathalbyn and onto Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor.

The Cockle Train just does the last stretch of this journey, departing from Goolwa Station in the historic Wharf Precinct. The half hour heritage railway journey heads around Encounter Bay via Middleton and Port Elliot, then climbs the Fleurieu Peninsula cliffs towards Victor Harbor. Stop at Port Elliot if you fancy one of Australia’s best meat pies from the Port Elliot Bakery or staying at the Port Elliot caravan park.

The Cockle Train runs from Goolwa to Victor Harbor. Photo by Graham Scheer.

The whole railway journey on this Encounter Bay tourist train lasts half an hour, and there’s no need to book in advance. Cockle Train tickets can be booked on the day at Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor stations. The heritage train runs on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, plus every day in the school holidays.

Cockle Train ticket prices: Goolwa to Victor Harbor

A one-way ticket for the Cockle Train from Goolwa to Victor Harbor, or vice versa, costs $20.50. The price for return ticket is $32.50

Unlike many tourist railways, the Cockle Train doesn’t usually use steam engines. It’s diesel locomotives most of the time, but steam locomotives come out during the school holidays.

Whilst in Goolwa, you can see the Mouth of the Murray River on a Coorong kayaking tour from Hindmarsh Island. Budget accommodation is available at the Goolwa Caravan Park.