wallangarra railway museum

If you're in the area, make sure you pay a visit to this station and its museum. It has a fascinating place in the history of (non)cooperation between Queensland and New South Wales' respective railway organisations and governments back in the late 1800s. Not only didn't they agree on the rail system to be used, but the canopies over the platforms on either side of the main station building are completely different.The little cafe is also worth a visit for a refuelling before continuing your drive.

Brilliant place.Great restaurant in the old station, along with a museum and several displays along the platform and within the building.Holds a Market Day on the 1st Sunday of each month which are friendly and local.Don't miss the Border Line on the platform, half Blue/ half Maroon for the NRL interstate rivalry.

First, it's free to enter and look around. Suitable for all ages. Lots of information about the QLD/NSW rail gauges and historical tensions, memorabilia and presentations. Something for everyone, even if you're not a rail buff. Kids (big and small) will love the Tardis too.

Balance yourself between QLD and NSW make sure you take a photo. This is a great place to drop in for a coffee and cake or sit down lunch. The food is excellent and great value. It's about 40mins Sth of Stanthorpe

Take 10 minutes to look at this little museum. It's got some great artifacts and you can learn more about the role of this station in the past. In the back room, there is a Tardis and a Cyberman. I guess Doctor Who went to the pub across the road in Jennings. A cold one before leaving and taking on the Daleks. Exterminate !!!! Strange ......

Located on top of the Great Dividing Range on Queensland's Southern border region is the town of Wallangarra (30 minutes south of Stanthorpe and only 3 Hours or so from Brisbane) and a twin “border town” of Jennings in New South Wales. They are there to represent their respective States at the Railway Station where several historical events took place. Sir Henry Parkes changed trains at Wallangarra when travelling to the next major town in NSW – Tenterfield in 1901 – on his way to his famous Federation speech.Back in the early days, Queensland and New South Wales could not agree on almost anything so why agree to standardise the railway gauge. NSW opted for the broader or English gauge of 4ft 8½ inches (1435mm in the new money) and Queensland went for the narrower or Cape gauge of 3ft 6 inches (1067mm). So immediately when you travelled interstate you had to change trains at a border crossing and hence the development of the Wallangarra / Jennings Railway Station.At Wallangarra the border between New South Wales and Queensland cuts across the platform (well marked – makes it possible to be in 2 states at the same time!) and one side is the Queensland side with the Bull nosed awning and NSW has a flat awning. The Queensland trains reached the border in 1887 and NSW trains 1888.Passenger services ceased operating in 1972 and now an occasional “special” tourist train will complete a round trip from Stanthorpe to Wallangarra.The Wallangarra Railway Museum is a free entry museum situated in the Station masters office and it is housing many press cuttings, memorabilia and a simulator booth (interesting experience).The original Railway Refreshment Rooms are now a Café and the size of the room shows just home many people would have been making their transfers between trains. As the weather was a beautiful spring day with a light breeze (17 C – I think), a great cup of tea and purchasing some homemade Tomato relish was the way to go.I have been past Wallangarra Railway Station and Museum many times and this was the first time I stopped – I have been missing a great tourist place of interest. This was a great one hour of my life and not a moment wasted. If you are on the road between Tenterfield and Stanthorpe, this is a MUST stop.