Story: Hotham Valley Railway
Episode: 20
Presenter: Nikki Parkinson
Air Date: 5 July 2026

Nikki heads to Dwellingup to experience the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway, where heritage steam trains wind through the spectacular forests of the Murray region.

• Located in Dwellingup, just over an hour south of Perth, the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway is one of Western Australia's premier heritage rail experiences.
• The railway preserves and operates historic locomotives and rolling stock, allowing visitors to experience rail travel from a bygone era.
• During the cooler months, visitors can ride the iconic Steam Ranger, a coal-fired steam train operating seasonally from May to October.
• The 28-kilometre return journey travels through the Darling Range escarpment, including one of the steepest and most scenic sections of railway in Western Australia.
• Originally built to service the region's thriving timber industry, the railway played an important role in transporting timber and agricultural products through the Murray region.
• Passengers can relax in the fully licensed Café Car, offering drinks and light refreshments while enjoying the forest scenery.
• The railway is pet-friendly on selected services, making it a unique family-friendly attraction where four-legged companions are welcome aboard.
• Dwellingup also offers mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and nature experiences, making the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway an ideal centrepiece for a winter getaway in the Murray region.