REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention is a Pre-Registration only event.
Registrations are now available to purchase online via TryBooking, or print a copy of the Registration Form and return via post.
See buttons at bottom of this page for online or postal registration options.
As well as Registrations for the event, optional extras, such as Convention polo shirts, attendance to the awards dinner, the Partners Program and an optional extra activity for Easter Monday at Lake Macquarie Light Rail, are all available to book now. See below for further details on these optional extras.
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention is a Pre-Registration only event.
Registrations are now available to purchase online via TryBooking, or print a copy of the Registration Form and return via post.
See buttons at bottom of this page for online or postal registration options.
As well as Registrations for the event, optional extras, such as Convention polo shirts, attendance to the awards dinner, the Partners Program and an optional extra activity for Easter Monday at Lake Macquarie Light Rail, are all available to book now. See below for further details on these optional extras.
Welcome to the
Australian Narrow Gauge Convention
Tourism & Accommodation
For a general overview of tourism and accommodation options, please read on to find out more about what the region has to offer.
Supporting Walhalla Goldfields Railway
For each Australian Narrow Gauge Convention, we seek to connect with one of the regional preservation railway groups to feature and support them as part of our event. For this convention, we have selected the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Constructed in the early 1900's to access the precious riches in the isolated settlement of Walhalla, it traversed some spectacular scenery along its winding route. The eventual decline of the original railway saw gradual closures and the eventual removal of most of the railway by 1960.
Following several attempts to restore the line as a tourist railway, around 1993 the Walhalla Goldfields Railway eventually began the task of clearing years of regrowth and landslides to return the railway to service. Now with 4km of restored rail that weaves its way across numerous trestle bridges, the volunteer group has rebuilt one of the country's most stunning tourist railways.
Regrettably, organising a group tour to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway was just beyond feasible to make happen (the town of Walhalla is approximately a 2-hour drive from the convention venue). As an alternative, we are bringing some aspects of the railway to the convention. We are pleased to welcome a couple of founding members of the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Rob Ashworth and Andrew Stephens, invited to join us as our keynote speakers to present "The Walhalla Railway - One That Came Back". These gents have first-hand experiences and insights into the challenges that were faced when restoring this piece of railway history. Following their presentation, they will be hosting a Walhalla Goldfields Railway information stand and be available to share archive information collated over the years.
For attendees looking to extend their holiday time if travelling to the Australian Narrow Gauge Convention, we highly recommend considering a day trip to the Gippsland to explore what Walhalla has to offer. For further information on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, please visit walhallarail.com.au
If attendees or visitors to the convention website would like to help contribute with a tax-deductable donation, please click the button below to be taken to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway donation page.
Touring Melbourne
For attendees that are travelling to Melbourne for the 15th Australian Narrow Gauge Convention, we recommend planning to experience some of the wonderful tourist sights that the city and its surroundings have to offer. With a colourful mix of old and new city architecture, galleries, museums, gardens, shopping, plus outer surroundings with beaches, wine regions, and heritage forests, there are a vast array of tourism options available to satisfy most travellers interests.
With so many varied opportunities to choose from, for further ideas and information, please take the time to explore some of the website links below;
Listed below is a selection of places of interest that visitors to Melbourne may wish to consider.
The Australian Sports Museum at the MCG
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Accommodation
A variety of accommodation options can be found within reasonable proximity of the Australian Narrow Gauge Convention venue. Listed below are some of the options where attendees may consider staying if travelling to Melbourne for this weekend. These accommodation options have only been listed based on distance from the convention. The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention does not have any concessions or booking agreements with the suggested hotels or motels.
*Please note, this is the Easter long weekend in a peak travel period, so securing accommodation early is recommended.
For other accommodation options, we suggest visiting the below-listed accommodation websites;