Beat the petrol price: 10 of the best places to visit by train from Sydney

With fuel prices spiralling on the back of war, it’s so much cheaper to share wheels – especially if they’re gliding along train tracks. And while New South Wales hasn’t followed Victoria and Tasmania in offering free rail travel, it’s still a great alternative to the classic road trip, especially in a cost-of-living crisis, and can lead to fabulous new discoveries amidst the satisfaction of becoming a sustainability stalwart.

Time travel in Lithgow

It might seem odd to catch a train to catch another, but not if you’re heading to Lithgow on the other side of the Blue Mountains. That’s the home of the vintage steam Zig Zag Railway running four services daily. Starting in 1869 and now run by enthusiastic volunteers, it’s a fabulously romantic ride back to the past. Sit in the last carriage of the Blue Mountains Line train from Sydney and ask the guard at Mount Victoria to stop at Zig Zag station for direct access. It’s a 45-minute ride around the mountains with spectacular views to Top Points with its cafe and shop, and then the same back. Adult tickets $46.50; children $30; a family of four $140. See zigzagrailway.com.au

Fish and chips in Coledale

Feast out at one of the best chippies in NSW with a one-hour-20-minute trip on the South Coast Line to Coledale and its celebrated family-run Rosie’s Proper Fish and Chips. Sit on the grassy knoll with its front-row view of Sharky Beach, smell the salt air, and chow down on sustainably sourced fish from Australian waters and local spuds turned into hand-cut chips cooked in grass-fed beef dripping – tasting just like they used to. To work it off, walk along the coastline for lovely views of the Illawarra escarpment and the Tasman. See visitnsw.com; rosiesfishandchips.com.au

Outback at Broken Hill

Take a ride to the wild side at the far west Silver City, the old heritage-listed mining town of Broken Hill, famous for the harsh outback landscapes that were a star of Mad Max 2 and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. These days, it has a thriving arts scene, with the Pro Hart Gallery, murals, sandstone sculptures and numerous art shops, as well as some of the friendliest locals you could ever hope to meet. Make sure to take an Aboriginal cultural tour, too, to understand its ancient significance. The train departs Central Station weekly on Monday from $75-$160, returning Tuesday, with each leg taking 13-14 hours; bookings essential. To make the most of the trip, stay a few days and catch the daily coach back. See transportnsw.info; visitnsw.com; nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Antique shopping in Bowral

Potter around the charming Southern Highlands town of Bowral with its absorbing antique stores, boutique shopping, manicured gardens, stunning red and gold autumn foliage and its showpiece Bradman Museum. Catch one of the thrice-daily trains for the one hour and 45-minute journey and come back later the same day, or plan to stay overnight. Taste wine and eat at the Bendooley Estate, and fine-dine at Eschalot. See visitnsw.com; bradman.com.au; bendooleyestate.com.au; eschalot.com.au

Get beached at Coffs

For a peachy beachy escape, you can never go wrong with the north coast city of Coffs Harbour, with its fabulous beaches, marine park, plentiful wildlife and – oh yes – that Big Banana. Trains leave Sydney twice-daily for the eight-hour-plus trip, so plan a leisurely break over a few days to make the most of the complete change of scenery. Take the family for an easy swim to Jetty Beach, fish off the end of the old timber jetty, have a barbecue at shady Park Beach, graze at the food market, and have the kids try out the zip line at Sapphire Beach. See coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au

Cycle high in Armidale

Australia’s highest city experiences distinct seasons, so grab a bike and check out the autumn colours just now, or plan a big chill in winter or a springtime riding sojourn amidst its stunning gorges, cliffs, waterfalls and national parks. It’s a wonderful place for meandering nature cycles or longer, harder power pedals, while the New England city itself is also renowned for its beautiful 19th-century architecture. It’s an eight-hour train ride, so camp in the country or stay at an historic homestead, like the 1902 Saumarez Homestead, a farm stay, a hotel or a B&B. See visitarmidale.com.au; nationaltrust.org.au

Indulge in Orange

Nowhere has farm-to-table dining been done to a more delicious art than Orange in the Central Tablelands, with no fewer than two hatted restaurants, Hey Rosey and Printhie Dining in Nashdale, as well as other excellent eateries around town. There are also wonderful wineries and first-rate cellar doors to explore, and a flexible hop-on hop-off winery shuttle to do it all on, operating every Friday to Sunday for $25 for the day. With so much good food and drink to sample, and the train taking four hours and 48 minutes from Sydney, a stay of two to three days is advisable with a huge range of accommodation on offer. See orange360.com.au; orangehoponhopoff.com.au

Bushwalk in the Blue Mountains

Whether you’re an easy walker or a rugged trekker, the Blue Mountains has something for everyone. Get off the train at Katoomba and take the leisurely Three Sisters Walk, or launch straight into the rugged three-day 42-kilometre Six Foot Track. Alternatively, travel on to Blackheath for the seven-kilometre hike from the Govetts Leap Lookout that continues high along the ridgeline, with gorgeous views. The shorter walks can make for an easy day trip from Sydney – the train takes just two hours – or opt for a lengthier stay with a luxury bed at the five-star Lilianfels Resort & Spa, all the way down to the budget-conscious YHA Blue Mountains. See visitnsw.com; worldsapart.club/independents/lilianfels; yha.com.au

Boogie at the Bundeena Bowlo

For the ultimate laidback retro seaside escape, catch the train (50 minutes) to Cronulla and then walk to the wharf and hop onto the hourly ferry across to Bundeena (20-30 minutes). Have a stroll along the beach or in the Royal National Park, and then repair to the bowling club – open Thursday to Sunday – for a coldie, an excellent meal, the kids’ playground and, if you’re there of an evening, often live music. Dancing optional but welcomed. See bundeenabowlingclub.com.au

Kick back in Kiama

Crowned NSW’s Top Tourism Town for 2025, and Australia’s most liveable town the year before, Kiama is like Byron Bay was in the 1950s – but much cheaper, closer and friendlier. Check out the infamous blowhole, the nine beaches, some for swimming others for surfing, the two ocean pools, and the lovely walks with gorgeous countryside and ocean views, then relax with an ice cream, and choose from the excellent cafes and restaurants – the Ottolenghi-inspired Middle Eastern Miss Arda and the Hanoi on Manning are regular favourites – that creeping gentrification has brought. See kiama.com.au; missarda.com; hanoionmanning.com.au

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