25/06/2026
The Australind is coming home ๐
After 3 years away, the Australind returns to the tracks this Monday, and what better way to mark the occasion than a journey through the remarkable history.
Bunbury's love of trains is woven into the town's history, from the very first train to pull into Bunbury Jetty back in 1899, to the proud launch of the original Australind service in November 1947 - carrying 233 passengers and making history as "the fastest narrow-gauge train service in the Commonwealth" - South West Advertiser, 1947.
Many South West families have fond memories of catching the train to Perth city. Over the almost 80-year history, we've seen many changes. From the elegant buffet cars where refreshments were served to passengers in their seats, to the gleaming stainless-steel railcars with a maximum speed of 110km/h that rolled out of Midland Workshops in 1987. And now the long-awaited service is back!
The bus served us well. But there's nothing quite like the train.
Enjoy some photos from the archive or share your own photos and memories in the comments โฌ๏ธ
1. The first train on the old Bunbury Jetty, 1899. The photo includes James Moore, father of Sir Newton Moore.
2. "Featured is the buffet lounge of the 'Australind' Perth-Bunbury train from which passengers may obtain snacks, refreshments and liquor services" Westrail, 1976.
3 & 4. The last Australind service to the old Bunbury Station, 28 May 1985.
5. The first Australind to visit the new Bunbury Passenger Terminal, 1985
6. "This late afternoon view of the Australind starting from Pinjarra is typical of the 1960s with the red-striped X class, nameboard, Bunbury crest, green and cream carriages, and smoke reminding us that steam engines were still at work. 3/8/1968, Peter Hopper." The Journal of Rail Heritage WA, Issue 285, 2017/18
City of Bunbury
