Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

$30 million upgrade for railway at Scenic World Blue Mountains

$30 million upgrade for railway at Scenic World Blue Mountains
June 29, 2012

Scenic World has committed to the largest attraction investment in the history of the Blue Mountains with a $30 million redevelopment of the world's steepest incline railway.

Australia's most visited privately-owned visitor attraction is being upgraded with works including a new train to transport visitors down to the ancient rainforest floor in the Jamison Valley.

Scheduled to open in December 2012, the new railway experience set within a World Heritage-listed region beneath the Three Sisters, will include new top and bottom platforms with historical interpretation in addition to a new rail track.

Swiss-designed carriages will comprise the fifth vehicle to operate on the former coal mine track since 1945.

Meanwhile the existing train continues to operate, building on a history of nearly 25 million passengers delivered safely and spectacularly to the valley floor.

Overseeing the project are new Joint Managing Directors, brother and sister team, Anthea and David Hammon.

Anthea Hammon, also Scenic World's Chief Engineer, said the redevelopment would retain the character and history of the 52 degree incline stating "we want to maintain Scenic World's position as a unique international attraction, while ensuring visitor safety. This investment allows us to upgrade the Scenic Railway well ahead of schedule.

"The sensitive redevelopment demonstrates the same depth of historical, cultural and environmental respect what our family has provided for three generations, but will now offer the visitor a fresh perspective with some new surprises that people will want to explore again and again."

A multidisciplinary team will deliver this significant tourism redevelopment lead by Anthea Hammon, bringing together Swiss specialist railway designers Garaventa, Australian architects, project managers and builders.

Beginning in 1945 with Harry Hammon's entrepreneurial vision to transform an abandoned coal mine into an iconic tourist attraction, three generations of Hammons continue to pioneer Blue Mountains tourism.

Now, Anthea Hammon explains "whenever I tell people about my grandfather and the layers of history here, they are amazed. We want to make sure our visitors can engage with that story before experiencing the fun of riding the train.

Scenic World is open every day of the year and also features the highest Skyway in Australia at 270 metres and the biggest cable car in the country, fitting 84 people, and taking visitors to the Scenic Walkway spanning 2.4 kilometres, the longest boardwalk in the Southern Hemisphere.

The attraction welcomes more close to one million visitors annually.

Scenic Railway Facts

• The historic railway was built in 1878 to service mining activities in the valley;
• Harry Hammon purchased the lease in 1945 turning the Scenic Railway into a major tourist attraction;
• The railway track spans 310 metres through a cliff side tunnel and through a rainforest corridor;
• The train takes 84 passengers and operates every 10 minutes;
• In 1945 the Scenic Railway cost 1 shilling to ride or Sixpence for children;
• Each train has been named 'Mountain Devil' after the native plant;
• The term 'Scenic Railway' dates back to late 19th Century England amusement rides.

For more information go to www.scenicworld.com.au

1st December 2011 - SCENIC WORLD TO HOST AUSTRALIA’S FIRST ANCIENT RAINFOREST SCULPTURE EXHIBITION


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Intelligenz Solutions

Intelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Marketing / Technology

 
 

SENtag

Developed in Europe, this innovative system offers a safety management solution for swimming pools that checks individual swimmers via their wristband - monitoring their depth and time. Sensors…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

HIDROPLAY

Hidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation

 
 

Tim Batt Water Solutions

Tim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Recreation / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business