There’s something about a heritage train ride that makes a day out feel like an occasion. The whistle, the clatter of old carriages, the smell of coal smoke drifting past your window. It’s all even better if your dog can come along for the ride.
Most train services in Australia don’t allow pets, but a surprising number of heritage and tourist railways do. Below is a rundown of 14 dog-friendly heritage steam train experiences broken down by state. Plus the latest on a few popular options that have changed their pet policies.
A quick note: most of these lines are run by small volunteer societies, and policies/timetables can shift with little notice. A quick phone call, email or Facebook message before you go is always worth it.
Victoria
1. Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Walhalla
A 20-minute (each way) journey along Stringers Creek Gorge between Walhalla and Thomson Station, crossing eight bridges. Runs Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and daily during most school holidays.
Dog rules: Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome and free of charge to travel with their owners provided no other passengers feel threatened or troubled by them. Dogs aren’t allowed up on the seats (so bring something for them to sit/lie on at your feet). At Walhalla Station there’s sometimes signage about dogs riding in the guard’s carriage, but in practice the volunteer crew tend to be relaxed about which carriage you sit in on quieter days. Dogs aren’t allowed in the station shop due to space. There is, however, water available at both stations.
How to book: Book via the online booking form at Walhalla Rail, or call (03) 5165 6280 or email of****@**************om.au. No special dog ticket or pre-notification needed and adult tickets are $35/one way and $40/return. If you are also doing the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine tour (dog-friendly as well), please note the floor can be wet and some dogs are nervous in the dark.
2. Victorian Goldfields Railway, Castlemaine
A 45-minute one way heritage journey through old goldfields country from Castlemaine to Maldon. The blue timetable operates on Fridays with 1 return trip (leaving 2 1/2 hours to explore Maldon) and the red timetable operates on Sundays and school holiday Saturdays with 2 return trips (leaving 1 1/4 hours to explore historic Maldon or an extended 4 hours).
Dog rules: dogs are permitted in Excursion Class only (service dogs may travel in First Class). Dogs aren’t allowed in indoor areas, including station buildings, refreshment and retail areas with the exception for service dogs. Dogs must be on lead at all times and wear a collar with ID details. VGR reserves the right to refuse any dog travel, and owners are fully responsible for their dog’s behaviour. VGR accepts no liability for any incidents.
How to book: Book via Victorian Goldfields Railway. No special dog ticket but given VGR reserves the right to refuse a dog on the day so it’s worth calling ahead during busy times like school holidays where the Excursion Class may be more crowded. Adult tickets are $37/one way and $52/return.
3. Daylesford Railway, Daylesford
Roughly a hour-long return trip (about 9km each way) from Daylesford through the Wombat State Forest and farmland to Bullarto, Victoria’s highest railway station. Runs every Sunday year-round, plus selected Wednesdays and Saturdays during Victorian school holidays and long weekends.
Dog rules: “Dogs on lead welcome” as stated directly on the railway’s own timetable page, with no extra fee mentioned. This is one of the most straightforwardly dog-friendly options on the list.
How to book: Book online at Daylesford Railway. Please note that all online bookings close 30 minutes before departure, and any remaining tickets are sold at the station ticket office up until departure. Adult tickets are $25.31. No special process for bringing a dog; just book your normal ticket. The steam train can be combined with the dog-friendly Daylesford Sunday Market (8am-3pm) for a full day out adventures as it runs from the same station.
4. Swan Bay Express, Queenscliff
A 45-minute steam-hauled return trip from Queenscliff to Lakers Siding along Swan Bay. Trips run most Sundays, public holidays, and select days during school holidays. Departure times are 11am, 12pm, and 2:15pm.
Dog rules: Dogs are welcome and will be issued their own complimentary “dog ticket” as a souvenir. Please note that your dog must be comfortable around other passengers and there are no toilet/relief facilities for pets on the train or at the station, and pets can only travel in certain designated carriages (to keep allergens away from other passengers). A volunteer at the booking office will direct you to the right compartment. Pet space is first-come, first-served and limited, so arrive early.
How to book: Book online at Bellarine Railway but please note that online bookings close at 10am on each running day. Adult tickets are $19.34. If there are any remaining tickets, they will be available at the gate. No pre-notification required for dogs, but given limited pet space, booking your preferred time slot early and arriving with plenty of time is wise.
Queensland
5. Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie
Roughly 3-hour return journey (40km round trip) through the Mary Valley, with a stop in Amamoor to watch the engine turn on the turntable.
Dog rules: The Rattler has a dedicated “Pets On Board” carriage with two segregated booths, each seating up to 6-8 people with up to 2 pets per booth from the same household/family (cats are also welcome). Pets on Board departs on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday on the Gympie to Amamoor return. Dogs must be on-lead and cats must be in a basket. The pet will also need to be registered and only 1 pet per handler. The handler must be in control at all times and not disrupt the safety or comfort of other passengers.
How to book: Advance bookings are essential and walk-ins are not permitted as pet spaces are limited and book out quickly. Pets on Board tickets can be purchased online at Mary Valley Rattler or by calling them on (07) 5482 2750. Adult tickets are $69/each whereas the pet tickets are $35/each. Check in at the Tour Desk at Gympie Station at least 60 minutes before departure.
6. Mary Ann Steam Train, Maryborough
A short 10 minute on an open air replica steam train ride from Macalister Station that travels over part of the “Golden Mile”. The train runs on selected Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Dog rules: Well behaved dogs on-lead sitting on the floor are welcome.
How to book: Tickets are sold on the day at Macalister Station and adult tickets are $6. Full train schedule can be found on Mary Ann Steam Train.
7. Australian Sugar Can Railway, Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
A 2km loop through the Botanic Gardens on a narrow-gauge former cane train. Usually runs Wednesdays and Sundays, plus most public holidays.
Dog rules: Well behaved on-lead dogs are allowed to join you on board. The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens are also pet-friendly if you’d like to make it a full day outing. Pets are welcome, but for the safety and comfort of other visitors and wildlife, they need to be on-lead and owners need to clean up after them.
How to book: Tickets are inexpensive ($6 adult / $2.50 school-age child) and generally bought on the day. Double-check the online calendar at Bundaberg Cane Trains beforehand, as the railway can switch between steam and diesel locomotives, or be cancelled due to weather.
8. Artherton-Herberton Historic Rail, Herberton
The Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway offers a special heritage train ride experience on a fully restored 1905 Peckett Steam Locomotive. With it’s 1913 fully restored wooden passenger carriage, the train operates from Herberton Railway Station to the Historic Village Herberton and to Moomin and return.
Dog rules: Well behaved dogs on a short lead have been welcomed free of charge based on visitor’s reports and their facebook page.
How to book: The steam train ride operates on selected weekends and can be booked online at www.athrail.com for $20/adult.
Note entry to Historic Village Herberton (also dog-friendly) is a separate cost. Tickets are $46/adult, $22/child, $43/concession or $116/family (2 adults, 2 children).
South Australia
9. Cockle Train, Goolwa
A 30-minute journey on Australia’s oldest steel-railed line, with stops at Middleton and Port Elliot and finishes in Victor Harbour. Departs several times a day every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Public Holiday, and daily during South Australian school holidays . Steam locomotives are generally used during most school holidays and when the Southern Encounter runs from Mt Barker; diesel otherwise.
Dog rules: Confirmed in SteamRanger’s own brochure: dogs are permitted only on the Cockle Train and not on the operator’s other heritage services like The Highlander. While on board, on-lead dogs must be under effective control and must sit on the floor (not on the seats). Service animals, by contrast, are permitted on all SteamRanger train services.
How to book: Tickets (around $38 return adult, Goolwa-Victor Harbor) are generally available on the day at the station, with no advance booking required during off-peak periods or book via Steam Ranger Heritage Railway or call SteamRanger direct on 1300 655 991. No special booking step is needed for your dog, just keep them lead and on the floor once aboard.
Tasmania
10. Don River Railway, Don (near Devonport)
A 30-minute heritage train ride between Don Village and Coles Beach, alongside an on-site railway museum. Trains run Thursday to Sunday, with a mix of vintage diesel and steam motive power (not guaranteed which on any given day).
Dog rules: Both the museum and the train ride are described as dog-friendly. Dogs of all sizes and shapes welcome.
How to book: Tickets can be booked online at Don River Railway for $20/adult, $17.50/senior, $15/child, and $60/family (1-2 adults + up to 4 children).
11. Sheffield Steam, Sheffield
The Sheffield Steam train rides generally on the first full weekend of each month (with extra dates over summer), plus a miniature train if weather permits when running.
Dog rules: “Dogs with well-trained owners” are explicitly welcome. A refreshingly honest phrasing from the Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre.
How to book: Modest fees ($10/adult or $20/family), generally paid on the day at the centre. Check Sheffield Steam for which weekend it’s running, especially around the annual Sheffield Steamfest in March.
Western Australia
12. Hotham Valley Railway, Dwellingup
They have two dog-friendly services: the Steam Ranger (a roughly 2-hour run up WA’s steepest rail grade, seasonally May-October, with recent operation expanding to every Sunday through late October) and the year-round Dwellingup Forest Train to Etmilyn (Saturdays, public holidays, plus extra school holiday dates).
Dog rules: Dogs are welcome on both the Forest Train and the Steam Ranger. You’re asked to mention your dog when making your reservation. Note that dogs may be seated in fairly confined carriage spaces close to other passengers. Worth being mindful of if your dog is nervous around strangers or if you’re travelling with people/kids who aren’t comfortable around dogs in tight quarters. Dogs are not permitted on the separate Etmilyn Restaurant Train (the 5-course dining experience). Pets small enough to be held travel free but larger pets requiring floor space by a seat are charged $16.50 for the Forest Train and $22 for the Steam Ranger.
How to book: Book via Hotham Valley Railway, call +61 8 6278 1111 or email hv*@*********************om.au and mention that you’re bringing a dog at the time of booking. This is so they can plan seating. Popular dates (peak-season Sunday Steam Ranger services) can sell out months ahead, so book early.
13. Pemberton Tramway, Pemberton
A 75-minute return heritage tram journey through the Karri Forest to the Cascades, crossing several bridges, with about 25 minutes at the Cascades. Runs most days except Wednesday, three times on Saturdays, plus some Sundays during school holidays.
Dog rules: Dogs are welcome for a $10 per dog charge. To ensure the comfort of all passengers, dogs and their owners will be asked to travel on the rear tram at the beginning of the journey (which becomes the front tram on the return trip). This allows guests who prefer to avoid animals to sit on a separate tram where possible. Please note that during the Cascades stopover, dogs are not permitted to cross the river into the National Park on the opposite side.
How to book: Book online up to 30 minutes before the session start time by booking online at Pemberton Tramway, calling the station on (08) 9776 1322 or emailing in**@*********om.au. Collect your souvenir ticket from the station before boarding.
New South Wales
14. Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Albion Park Rail
The Albion Park Steam train rides on the second Sunday of the month, diesel rides on the fourth Saturday (subject to change), plus a miniature railway. One entry fee covers unlimited rides.
Dog rules: The museum describes itself as “pet friendly” and welcomes dogs onto the site but they must be kept on-lead at all times and any mess cleaned up. Well-behaved dogs are generally welcome to join you for the train rides, provided they are safely managed and do not cause disruptions.
How to book: Email bo******@*******om.au or call (02) 4256 4627 / 0492 267 581. There’s no dedicated online booking system for casual visitors – entry/rides are generally paid on the day. Adult tickets start at $20.
Information Update On Other Heritage Steam Trains
Puffing Billy (Dandenong Ranges, VIC) used to run the much-loved Dog Express a couple of times a month between Emerald and Gembrook. As of 2025, these dog-friendly services are no longer operating, and there’s no indication they’re returning.
Mornington Railway (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) trialled a “Dog Ticket” system that let dogs ride on select dates by purchasing a special ticket. That trial has now run its course and all dates have passed. It was a one-off rather than an ongoing policy, though it’s worth keeping an eye on in case it returns.
Moonta Mines Tourist Railway (Moonta Mines, SA) is currently closed due to management and operational restructuring by the National Trust of South Australia. A definitive reopening date is still “to be advised”.
Zig Zag Railway (Blue Mountains, NSW) is a more nuanced case:
| Regular train services | Dogs are NOT permitted on board regular Zig Zag trains – only assistance animals travelling with the person they assist. This is stated clearly in the railway’s own FAQ. |
| Clarence Precinct (station grounds) | Properly restrained dogs and other animals ARE welcome within the Clarence precinct where trains depart, provided they’re supervised at all times and any mess is bagged and binned (bags and bins are provided). So if one member of your group wants to ride while someone else minds the dog at the station, that’s an option on a regular visit. |
| Dogs Day Out (annual special event) | On select dates, dogs can ride the heritage train itself via a special ticketed event. The most recent was 8 February 2026, a 90-minute round trip departing Clarence Station, with discounted special tickets, a commemorative dog ticket given at check-in, one carriage kept dog-free, and dog-themed merchandise/treats (including “puppucinos”) available. Every dog needs its own valid ticket purchased in advance. Bookings are essential and tend to sell out, so keep an eye on Zig Zag’s “What’s On” page and Seven Valleys Tourism’s events listings for the next date. It looks set to become a yearly fixture rather than a one-off. |
General Tips for Booking and Riding with Your Dog
- Always confirm directly before you go. Many of these railways are run by small volunteer societies whose websites lag behind their actual policies. A quick phone call or Facebook message is the most reliable way to confirm current dog rules, especially for the smaller Queensland and Tasmanian operations.
- Mention your dog when booking, even if it’s not required. For railways with limited pet carriages (Mary Valley Rattler, Bellarine, Hotham Valley), flagging it in advance helps staff seat you appropriately and avoids disappointment on the day.
- Know the fee structure. Some railways charge nothing for dogs (Walhalla, Daylesford, Victorian Goldfields), some charge a small flat fee per dog (Pemberton, Mary Valley Rattler), and a couple issue free souvenir “dog tickets” as a nice touch (Bellarine, Cockle Train, Zig Zag’s Dogs Day Out).
- Noise levels matter. Steam whistles, rattling carriages and old diesel engines are much louder than modern trains. If your dog startles easily, factor that in and book the experience that they will be most comfortable with. Bringing a favourite toy or blanket can also help them settle.
- Follow crew instructions on the day. Sticking to the rules (leads, designated carriages, cleaning up, keeping dogs off seats) is what keeps these services pet-friendly for everyone.
Got a favourite dog-friendly train we’ve missed, or updated info on one of these? Let us know in order to keep this list current.