Single Mum Kids Event Review
A Day Out With Thomas – Train Ride & Carnival Experience
Now Closed
Zig Zag Railway | Clarence, Blue Mountains, NSW
Note – unfortunately this attraction has since closed down after bushfires destroyed the track and it was deemed unviable to repair
Few day-trips could please young children more than visiting Thomas the Tank Engine (officially known as “a Day Out With Thomas”) at the famous Blue Mountains Zig Zag Railway, located at Clarence, N.S.W. (10 minutes east of Lithgow).
This was my little family’s second trip to visit Thomas – we first made the trek when my daughters were just 1 and 3 years old. Both girls (now 3 & 5 years of age) had adored their Day Out With Thomas so much that to go again was an easy decision. The allure of a life-sized steam train with a kid-friendly theme was just too strong to resist!
Upon arrival, the Zig Zag Railway car park was testament to just how popular this event had grown, with volumes of families emptying their vehicles of pre-schoolers, prams and all the other kid add-ons necessary for a day-trip.
Everybody piled aboard the antique steam train for the fun trip through the tunnel (block your ears from kids excited screaming when it turns pitch-black!) and down the cliffs – in a Zig-Zag fashion, of course! Chuff-chuff, toot toot!
The Thomas Carnival is little-kid-heaven. Spread out over the large workshop sheds, there are jumping castles, horse-carousels, mini-train rides, face-painting, balloon animals and , thankfully, refreshments (warm coffee for this single mum in the freezing cold sheds – aaah!).
Parents sank into the vintage railway carriage seats with a sigh, whilst their children bounced around them, comparing face-paint designs, and eagerly anticipating another chuff-chuff train ride. Once everyone was aboard, Thomas set off on his return climb up the cliffs. He finally pulled into the top Clarence station to deposit his train-load of noisy, over-tired, excited youngsters and their happy, if slightly worn-out parents.
Both girls were exhausted, and fell asleep in minutes, cheeks flushed and smiles still on their faces. As for me, I spent the trip home with a big grin on my face, reliving their squeals and shouts of laughter – it had been a great family day out, and just the kind that I hoped they would remember years from now – i know I will.
Helpful Info
Where? – Clarence, between Bell and Lithgow on Bells Line of Road, NSW
When? – Check the website (see below), but usually over two or three days during NSW school holidays.
Single Mum Fun Rating – 9 out of 10
Kid Fun Rating – 9 out of 10
Kid Age Guide – Carnival suits around ages 1 to 7 years, but the train ride is fun for everyone
Expensive or cheap? – Moderate to expensive at Adults $39.50 (no single parent payment concessions), Children (aged 2 – 13) $27.50 and Infants (Under 2) free (Prices correct as of 26/09/2011 – check their website for increases)
Easy to get there? – By car, a picturesque drive from Sydney – allow around 3 hours
Easy to handle kids on your own? Yes – you will have some work cut out for you if you have more than one small child to assist, as there is a short (paved) down hill / up hill walk to and from the carnival, with plenty of supervision at the carnival also required. You can take your pram onboard Thomas, which may help you conserve some energy by carrying the littlies for you
Top Tips
- Book early to avoid disappointment!
- Be sure to dress everyone warmly if visiting during winter – it gets very cold in the sheds, and there is no heating
- On the train, keep little fingers away from the heavy sliding windows in Thomas, that can drop down without warning
- At the carnival, line up for the face-painting early to avoid longer queues later
- Time-manage carefully to avoid rushing, and take regular breaks to ensure that you aren’t driving tired, or burning yourself out early in the day. If this does happen, be prepared to stay the night at a hotel to recharge – remember, single mums often do twice as much as two-parent families on the same trip!
Bookings – are essential! You can book online at the Zig Zag Railway website http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/thomas_friends.php, or call the Zig Zag Railway on 1300ZIGZAG (944924).
