Why this Aussie train station is better than anything Europe has to offer
"Good luck fishing off your train platform in Zurich or Gare du Nord."
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Europe can keep its fancy trains and bar carts; 40 minutes from Sydney there's a tiny train station, completely inaccessible by road, where you can fish while you wait at the platform (and where, if your train gets cancelled, authorities have to call you a replacement water taxi).
This place is called Wondabyne. It's a train station with views like none other, and it's 40 minutes from Sydney.
Located next to Mullet Creek, with Woy Woy station to the north and Hawkesbury River to the south, Wondabyne Station has no ticket machine, no gates, no guard and a platform so short you can only get off here from the very back carriage.
Although this is Australia's only train station that's inaccessible by road, there is still an opal machine for you to tap onto.
While waiting for a train here you can admire the views over the Brisbane Waters National Park mountain range. You may even catch a glimpse of one of the hiking routes you can take from here which include Pindar Cave, Woy Woy and Patonga.
Wondabyne station is about a 70 minute train ride from Sydney's Central Station, and has - other than Circular Quay - arguably the best water views of any train station in Australia.
Wondabyne Station officially opened in 1889 (to coincide with the opening of the first Hawkesbury River bridge). Its opening made it possible, for the first time, for people to travel via train all the way from Brisbane to Adelaide.
Hundreds of people worked on the bridge, railway, the nearby quarry and the Woy Woy tunnel. Some of the workers and their families stayed, and a town sprang up, complete with cottages and a pub.
Now the pub is long gone and many of the houses have been reclaimed by nature.
Because of this, these days Wondabyne Station's main use is for a handful of local commuters (who live on the other side of the river, and come to Wondabyne Station on small dinghies), holiday home-owners and bushwalkers.
Not all trains consider Wondabyne a stop, and even the ones that do don't stop there unless you flag them down. Likewise, if you are trying to alight at Wondabyne, it is crucial you are in the very back carriage, and you let the train staff know well before you arrive.
Now you've got the history behind it, here are five reasons why Wondabyne Station is the best damn train station in the world.
1. If the train breaks down, they have to order you a water taxi
According to Reddit, if you go to Wondabyne on a track work day, and can't get home, Transport NSW is obliged to hire you a water taxi.
As one Reddit user recounts: "I’d heard a story about some older gentlemen who would go fishing during trackwork weekends and Sydney trains would have to hire them a boat to take them out there."
Another added: "The railway is required, by law, to provide a service to areas with an active railway station. As a result of this, when there is trackwork, they must still service Wondabyne station. Obviously, the only way to do this, is with a Water Taxi."
"If the trains aren’t running, there are replacement buses to each stop. Since there’s no bus to this stop, there’s a replacement boat."
2. It's super serene
Give me a quiet fishing pier over the crowds of Circular Quay or the bustling Gare du Nord, any day.
3. It's different
Millions of people can say they've been to Zurich's train station or taken the Eurostar. Fewer can say they've seen Wondabyne.
4. It has better access to hikes
Sure, from Circular Quay you might be able to walk to Wynyard. But it's much more scenic to walk from Wondabyne to Patonga.
5. You can fish off it
If you wanted to fish off Circular Quay station you'd need a very long line, superhuman strength, and the willingness to risk taking someone's eye out. At Wondabyne you can literally fish off the platform.
Originally published as Why this Aussie train station is better than anything Europe has to offer
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