School excursions

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and stories of Australia’s steam era. Students will connect with real history, not just read about it. 

Step beyond the classroom and into a living piece of Australian history. As your students travel through the Blue Mountains aboard a heritage steam train, they’ll experience the sights, sounds and movement of a working railway while discovering how this remarkable line was built to conquer the landscape.

Designed to support NSW curriculum outcomes across History, Geography and Science & Technology, this experience provides a dynamic and engaging learning environment beyond the classroom. Students will investigate the historical significance of rail transport, explore how natural landscapes influence engineering design, and observe key scientific principles in a real-world context.

For a deeper experience, we recommend our 90-minute Signature Journey, which travels the full Zig Zag and brings the story to life in its entirety, while our 45-minute Discovery Experience offers a shorter, flexible option— perfect for younger students or schools working within a tighter schedule. Either way, it’s an excursion that sparks curiosity, encourages questions and creates meaningful connections between learning and the real world. 

A FUN AND MEMORABLE DAY OUT 

Enjoy a relaxed school excursion with a heritage steam train journey through the Blue Mountains. Students can take in the scenery, experience the magic of steam travel and enjoy time together in our picnic areas for lunch and free play. 

ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPEREINCE 

For schools looking to deepen the educational value of their visit, we offer a range of curriculum-aligned add-ons:

  • Stage-appropriate student workbooks to support classroom learning
  • Outdoor Classroom space Billy tea and damper Australiana experience (available for a small additional cost per student)
  • Guided tour with a trained education host 

PART OF A BIGGER ADVENTURE

Zig Zag Railway pairs perfectly with other regional experiences, making it an ideal addition to a broader excursion program. Combine your visit with:

  • Exploration of the Blue Mountains
    A stop in Bathurst including gold panning experiences
  • Multi-day itineraries across the Central West
  • Easily incorporate the Zig Zag Railway into your school camp itinerary as a highlight activity. Our flexible scheduling makes it simple to fit within your program.
  • Carriages seat up to 76 passengers, allowing larger groups to travel together to make supervision a breeze
  • Flexible options to suit different ages, group sizes and learning objectives
  • Easy access for coaches and group arrivals
  • We can provide morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea for your group at an additional cost, helping simplify your excursion planning. 

MORE THAN JUST AN EXCURSION 

Looking for something a little different?

  • End-of-term celebrations
  • School Christmas parties
  • Year 6 Farewells Graduation experiences, including dinner train options for senior students
  • Staff celebrations including retirement, birthday or holiday parties