Bennett Brook Railway: A Gentle Ride Through Whiteman Park’s Bushland

There’s a particular pleasure in a train that doesn’t rush. At Whiteman Park, the Bennett Brook Railway rolls out of a heritage station and into protected banksia woodland at an unhurried pace. The line is a narrow 610mm gauge, and the volunteer crews are happy to talk about the trains. It’s one of the most enjoyable and affordable ways to spend a morning at the park.

You don’t need to be a railway buff. If you enjoy a bit of nostalgia, a sit-down in the fresh air and the chance of a kangaroo or two, this is for you.

At a Glance

• The line: About six kilometres of 610mm narrow gauge track, with steam and diesel trains

• Ride time: About 30 minutes

• Boarding: Village Junction Station (Map Ref 2) and Mussel Pool Station (Map Ref 22)

• Fares: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Children (4–14) $6, with family tickets available. Companion Cards are accepted.

• Tickets: Available on the day at the ticket office

• Groups: Discounts on weekends, public holidays and school holidays

• Party coach hire: Available through the railway

• Details: bbr.org.au or 0438 734 575

Fares and times are from the Whiteman Park website and can change without notice.

The Experience

The railway began in 1976, when a group of friends formed the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association. They shared an interest in the lesser-known narrow gauge railways of Western Australia. Today the line runs heritage locomotives and carriages from all over Australia and the world, restored and run by volunteers.

The collection has some real stories. The steam locomotives, known as NG15s, were built for South African Railways and arrived in WA in 1985. They are the largest and most powerful type of non-articulated 2ft gauge steam locomotive in the world. Other engines worked sugar mills in Queensland and gold mines in Kalgoorlie.

The ride winds through banksia woodland, past native bush and open spaces. Western grey kangaroos are the most likely sightings. If you’re lucky, you might also spot wallabies and quendas, and the odd echidna. On the Bushland Loop, look out for the quirky scarecrows beside the track.

Allow time for the small rail museum beside the ticket office. It displays Western Australian Government Railways equipment and memorabilia, plus station buildings and other pieces rescued from across the state. It’s a good place to wait for the next train.

Steam or diesel? Steam trains typically run on weekends, public holidays and selected school holiday dates between mid-May and mid-September. Diesel locomotives run the rest of the year.

Visiting with Grandchildren

Children love a ride behind a real locomotive, and the wildlife and scarecrows keep them watching out the window. For grandparents it’s easy to manage, because you sit together and there’s no heavy walking. At $6 a child it’s a treat that won’t cost much, and family tickets are available.

Admission includes unlimited rides for the day. That means the little ones can hop on again while you rest, and you can explore the rest of Whiteman Park between departures. Playgrounds and picnic spots are close by. It suits toddlers, preschoolers and primary school-aged children, and train fans of any age. The railway also holds Friends of Ashley days, which are popular with families. Check the BBR website for upcoming dates.

For birthdays and family get-togethers, you can hire a party coach. This restored carriage becomes your private base for the day, with unlimited rides on the service train. The railway also offers group discounts on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Both suit a seniors’ club outing, a family reunion or a community group. Details and bookings are on the BBR website.

Getting Around

The train does the work. On weekends and public holidays, trains leave Village Junction every half hour and Mussel Pool every hour. On weekdays, a scenic bushland loop departs Village Junction on the hour. You board at the station and get off at the same place.

Accessibility

The railway has a purpose-built carriage for wheelchair users and their families. Companion Cards are accepted. Phone 0438 734 575 before your visit to confirm boarding arrangements and that the carriage is running that day. If you use a walker or have limited mobility, ask about the best boarding point as well. Village Junction Station is right by Whiteman Village, so you’re close to food, drinks and shade.

Location & Entry

The railway is inside Whiteman Park, about 16 kilometres from the Perth CBD. Enter at the Village Junction Station. Tickets are bought at the ticket office.

• Closed: Christmas Day.

• Fire bans: Trains won’t run on higher fire danger days or during a Total Fire Ban or Harvest, Vehicle Movement Ban. Call 9209 6000 on the day to check.

Seniorocity Verdict

Cheap, comfortable and full of character. For $10 on a Seniors fare you get a seat on a heritage train, a ride through the banksia bush and a good chance of spotting a kangaroo. Bring the grandkids, or bring the whole club. Book a group discount or hire the party coach and make a day of it. Just phone ahead about accessibility, then all aboard.