A Story of History, Heart, and a little country magic.
Long before Carriageway became a countryside retreat, it began its life on the rails.
In the 1920s, bright brick-red “Rattlers” rumbled through New South Wales, carrying generations of commuters and country travellers. Their colour, sound, and spirit became part of the fabric of Australian life.
The Rattlers’ final stop on the Sydney network was Dungog Station, which still stands today as a piece of heritage architecture — complete with the curved steel awnings, decorative brickwork, and strong horizontal lines of early functionalist design.
Here in the Hunter, that history found a new home.
A piece of history with a new chapter.
The story of the Rattlers begins almost a century ago. Production of the carriages started in Newcastle in 1927 at the Walsh Island Dockyard, where more than 2,000 workers built 248 train cars over just two years. The finished carriages were transported by steamer to the rail yards and quickly became part of daily life on the New South Wales rail network.
For more than sixty years, the Red Rattlers carried commuters, families, and adventurers between Sydney and the Hunter, their distinctive clatter and brick-red colour becoming a beloved part of Australian travel. Dungog Station, the northernmost stop on the Sydney urban line, became one of their last destinations.
When their time on the tracks ended, a small number of these historic carriages were saved from retirement and brought here to Dungog. Five original Rattlers now live at Carriageway. Four have been carefully transformed into fully self-contained accommodation, while the fifth forms the dining space that once welcomed guests to the original Rattlers restaurant.
Each carriage has been restored with care and respect for its 1920s craftsmanship. The original Art Deco details remain — from the timber paneling to the curved ceilings — creating spaces that honour their heritage while offering comfort and calm.
When you stay inside one of our Rattlers, you’re not just sleeping in a room. You’re part of a story that began in 1927 and still runs strong today.
Hospitality with purpose.
Carriageway isn’t just about beautiful spaces. It’s about what those spaces make possible.
Our story is intertwined with Destiny Haven, a residential program that supports women rebuilding their lives after trauma, addiction, and hardship. The women at Destiny Haven are at the centre of everything we do. They help care for Carriageway, maintain the grounds, prepare accommodation, and bring warmth to every guest experience.
Each stay and every event here contributes directly to that mission. The income from Carriageway provides real opportunities. Training, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose for women taking their next steps toward independence. It’s a partnership built on care, trust, and community.
When you visit Carriageway, you’re not only enjoying a unique countryside retreat. You’re part of something bigger. You’re helping create a cycle of restoration. One that transforms lives through simple acts of hospitality and kindness.
We believe hospitality should feel good and do good.
At Carriageway, it does both.
Stay. Gather. Celebrate.
Carriageway has become a destination where history, hospitality, and humanity meet. It’s the kind of place where you feel at ease the moment you arrive.
A place where laughter carries on the breeze and time feels slower, softer, and more meaningful.
Come for the comfort, the connection, or the nostalgia of sleeping in a train carriage. Leave with stories, memories, and a little piece of Carriageway in your heart.
