SteamRanger

The Cockle Train is based at the Goolwa Depot and commences its run each day at the Goolwa station, in the historic Wharf Precinct alongside the River Murray. The Cockle Train travels to Middleton, picking up or dropping off passengers on request, and then to Port Elliot where it reaches the Encounter Bay coast. The station here is operated by the local National Trust and features a small historical museum.

After leaving Port Elliot the train climbs to the top of the coastal cliffs and passengers then experiemce some of the most picturesque coastal scenery on the Fleurieu Peninsula, with nothing separating you from the beach below and a perfect view of the Southern Ocean - in winter the home of Southern Right Whale

After a 30 minute journey the train arrives in Victor Harbor station, right in the centre of the town. The locomotive is detached from the carriages and turned on a specially retained 30m long electric turntable before rejoining the carriages for the return journey to Goolwa.

The number of trains operated varies through the year. Passengers can buy tickets at any of the stations for one-way journeys in either direction along the line or for a bargain priced round trip. Trains wait for about 30 minutes at both Goolwa and Victor and round-trip passengers can extend this period by returning on a later train.

Trains are generally formed by our fleet of heritage Redhen and Brill Railcars, along with assistance from diesel locomotives. Steam is featured during most school holiday's and on days where the Southern Encounter operates from Mt Barker.