Platform 9 - Railway Refreshment Rooms, Toowoomba

On the Queensland Railway Lines

There are stations where one dines

Private individuals

Also run refreshment stalls

From "On the Queensland Railway Lines", Brisbane Realist Writers Group, 1959

While I was on holidays with my family, I took us all out for morning tea at Platform 9, the old Railway Refreshment Rooms at the Toowoomba Railway Station.

The charm of Platform 9 is that it preserves the old world atmosphere of the Railway Refreshment Rooms for younger generations to enjoy, with many original furnishings, cutlery and crockery, and cabinets displaying artifacts from a by-gone era.

As you step inside, you are immediately transported back in time:

There is a beautiful polished wood bar just inside the door, which also has a coffee machine and a cash register in its modern incarnation:

The operators of Platform 9 have retained the old serving area and cash register for display:

The grand dining area features pressed metal ceilings and polished wood furniture:

Each table is beautifully set with crisp white linen:

There is a series of display cabinets featuring relics from the hey day of the Railway Refreshment Rooms, and a sign telling the story of the Refreshment Rooms:

Wouldn't you love to take a picnic basket like this on your trip today (although it would be very heavy with all that crockery)?

An old menu is displayed, together with the bargain basement price list of the day:

I ordered a devonshire tea, which I think is the best morning tea offering. (My Mum found her carrot cake a little dry.) The tea is served in original Queensland Rail crockery:

The scones are light and fluffy, and come dusted with icing sugar and accompanied by plum jam and cream:

If you are ever passing through Toowoomba, Platform 9 (which also serves lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday) is well worth a visit for a trip down memory lane.

Platform 9

Toowoomba Railway Station

Railway Street

Toowoomba Qld 4350

07 4631 3233