Wagga Wagga railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wagga Wagga
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![]() Station building and entrance, September 2019
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Location | Station Place, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 35°07′13″S 147°22′06″E / 35.1202°S 147.3683°E | |||||||||||||||||
Owned by | Transport Asset Manager of New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||
Operated by | NSW TrainLink | |||||||||||||||||
Line(s) | Main Southern | |||||||||||||||||
Distance | 521.40 kilometres (323.98 mi) from Central | |||||||||||||||||
Platforms | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Connections | Coach | |||||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||||
Structure type | Ground | |||||||||||||||||
Other information | ||||||||||||||||||
Status |
Staffed: 8am to 4pm, 11pm to 3.30am
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Station code | WGA | |||||||||||||||||
History | ||||||||||||||||||
Opened | 1 September 1879 | |||||||||||||||||
Previous names | South Wagga Wagga | |||||||||||||||||
Services | ||||||||||||||||||
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Official name | Wagga Wagga Railway Station and yard group | |||||||||||||||||
Type | State heritage (complex / group) | |||||||||||||||||
Designated | 2 April 1999 | |||||||||||||||||
Reference no. | 1279 | |||||||||||||||||
Type | Railway Platform/Station | |||||||||||||||||
Category | Transport – Rail |
Wagga Wagga railway station is a special old train station in Wagga Wagga, Australia. It's on the main train line that connects two big cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Trains still stop here twice a day, going in both directions. There's even a museum right at the station!
Contents
History of Wagga Wagga Station
How the Station Started
The Wagga Wagga railway station first opened its doors on September 1, 1879. Back then, it was called "South Wagga Wagga." It was the end of the line for trains coming from Bomen, which is about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) north.
The station was the final stop for a short time. In 1880, the train line was extended further to Gerogery. Two years later, in 1882, the station's name was officially changed to "Wagga Wagga."
Becoming a Junction Station
In 1917, Wagga Wagga became an even more important station. This happened when a new train line, called the Tumbarumba line, opened. It first went as far as Humula. By 1921, the line reached all the way to Tumbarumba.
However, fewer and fewer trains used the Tumbarumba line over the years. The very last train on that branch line ran in 1987.
Cool Features of the Station
Station Buildings
The main station building is very old and special. It was built in 1879 using high-quality bricks. It's known as a Type 5 building by the New South Wales Government Railways. There's also a two-story house nearby, built at the same time, where the stationmaster used to live.
In 1917, a special room was added for people to get refreshments during their long train journeys.
Footbridge and Yard
A footbridge was built in 1936. It helps people cross safely from Station Place to Railway Street. The area around the station, called the "station yard," used to have many things. These included a turntable to turn trains around and a crane for lifting heavy items.
There were also many extra tracks, called sidings, that led to places like a fuel depot and grain silos. Most of these have been removed over time. Now, the yard mainly has a passing loop and a short standby loop for trains. The station no longer handles freight.
Train Services Today
Current Passenger Trains
As of 2025, Wagga Wagga station is still busy! It is served by two NSW TrainLink XPT trains every day. These trains travel in both directions, connecting Sydney and Melbourne.
Coach Services
Besides trains, NSW TrainLink also runs road coach services from Wagga Wagga. These coaches can take you to other towns like Tumbarumba, Griffith, Echuca, and Tumut.
Platform | Line | Stopping pattern | Notes |
1 |
Southern Region
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Services to Sydney Central and Melbourne |
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Why Wagga Wagga Station is Special (Heritage Listing)
The Wagga Wagga Railway Station and its yard group are considered very important. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means they are protected because of their historical, architectural, and social value.
The station building is unique and was designed by a famous engineer named John Whitton. The stationmaster's residence is also very important. Together, these buildings show how important Wagga Wagga was as a railway hub in the past. The station is also a significant landmark in the city.