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The sandstone arches of the Picton railway viaduct over Stonequarry Creek

Village

Picton

Picton sits in a green valley on the old road south from Sydney. Its sandstone buildings, railway viaduct and old pubs have changed little in a century and a half, and the village is said to be one of the most haunted places in New South Wales.

Why visit

Picton grew up on the Great South Road and boomed when the railway arrived in the 1860s. When the main line was moved in 1919, the village was left a little off the beaten track, which is why so much of it survives: sandstone churches, a courthouse, old inns and a stone viaduct over the creek.

What to see

  • Stonequarry Creek viaduct: a sandstone railway viaduct of 1867, still in use, best seen from the creek below.
  • The Mushroom Tunnel: the old Redbank Range railway tunnel, closed when the line moved and later used to grow mushrooms. It is now a free walk-through site; bring a torch.
  • The heritage pubs: the George IV Inn, licensed since the 1830s, is one of the oldest pubs in the state.
  • Ghost tours: local operators run night tours of the village’s haunted buildings and the tunnel.
  • Picton Botanic Gardens: a quiet garden with picnic areas on the edge of town.

Tips

  • Combine Picton with the steam trains at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, about 10 minutes away.
  • Check access to the Mushroom Tunnel before you go, as it can close after heavy rain.
  • Picton station has trains to Campbelltown and the Southern Highlands, but services are less frequent than in the suburbs.
  • Read our weekend itinerary for a day in Wollondilly.
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