Marino Rocks railway station

The station is cared for by dozens of local volunteers in Marino Rocks, as part of the South Australian Government's Rail Care Program.

Marino Rocks station and gardens are cared for by our local volunteers

Marino Rocks is officially a Rail Care station cared for by the community

Regular working bees are held at Marino Rocks station bringing together the whole Marino community of all ages, with great support from the Government of South Australia, Marion Council and local MPs.

Marino Rocks station artwork by Blake Lovas

In July 2019, an artwork by Adelaide artist Blake Lovas was completed at the station as part of the stations Rail Care community volunteer program.

Marino Rocks station artwork featuring Marino Rocks lighthouse by Blake Lovas

In October and November 2019 the Seaford bound platform at Marino Rocks station underwent significant, extensive landscaping initiated by the DPTI.

Landscaping and earthworks at Marino Rocks station

Work was carried out by ecoDynamics over several weeks, removing old trees and bushes, earthworks, irrigation, planting and landscaping.

General view of Marino Rocks station

This increased visibility, safety and security of the station from the adjacent streets, as well as vastly improving its appearance.

General view of Marino Rocks station

Further improvements were made over the course of 2020 to the city-bound platform with new planting and irrigation, along with new seating installed in November 2020 along various points of the platform, to allow school children and commuters to space out during the morning peak.

The station is now described as “Marino Rocks must be the prettiest station in South Australia” by the Environment Minister during a visit with the Transport Minister.

Transport and Environment Minister Marino Rocks station

This station is used by visitors to the Marino Conservation Park and Lighthouse with sea and city views, Marino Rocks beach, the refurbished playground and sporting facilities at Bandon Reserve, the famous cliff top Marino to Hallett Cove Boardwalk and the extended Adelaide Coast Park coastal walk between Marino Rocks and Seacliff.

Signage directly outside the station for Marino Conservation Park up the road.

Cycle routes at Marino Rocks station

The station is well used by cyclists, with the Coast to Vines Rail Trail starting at the station then following the former Willunga railway alignment south to McLaren Vale wine region. The Marino Rocks Greenway also starts at Marino Rocks station and provides a cycling route near the inward-bound railway line into the heart of Adelaide.

Marion Council signage at Marino Rocks station featuring a map and list of things to do and see, plus local artwork.

To further support the numerous visitors who get off at Marino Rocks station, DPTI and Marion Council signage was installed on each platform in November 2019, featuring station history, map of attractions, photos and local community artwork.

Marino Rocks visitor signage

Marion Council signage at Marino Rocks station featuring a map and list of things to do and see, plus local artwork.

When visitors are exploring the area, official Adelaide Metro signage can be found with directions back to Marino Rocks train station e.g. from the Conservation Park, Coast to Vines trail and Marino Rocks beach etc.

Adelaide Metro signage at Marino Rocks beach, directing visitors to Marino Rocks train station.

The Seaford-bound platform sits directly adjacent to Newland Avenue, with multiple access points for Marino residents to enter from either Newland Avenue, Coolinga Road, Jervois Terrace and Nimboya Road Reserve.

Newland Avenue overlooking Marino Rocks station

The Adelaide-bound platform sits adjacent to the busy Cove Road, with multiple access points to enter from The Cove Road, Newland Avenue, Jervois Terrace and a short subway located in Nimboya Road Reserve.

Main entrance into Marino Rocks station

In December 2019 the Marino community worked with Splashout Art Studios in Marino Rocks, to create the first ever station art gallery. Artwork featured local attractions and was hung to be highly visible to commuters on the train.

Splashout Art Studio artwork on display at Marino Rocks station.

Splashout Art Studio artwork on display at Marino Rocks station.

Splashout Art Studio artwork visible from the train at Marino Rocks station.

In November 2019 the Marino community organised and funded the stobie poles at the Newland Avenue entrance of Marino Rocks train station to be painted by artist Blake Lovas.

Artwork paid for and organised by the Marino community, outside Marino Rocks station.

This work was designed to complement the station artwork and landscaping.

Artwork paid for and organised by the Marino community, outside Marino Rocks station.

Artwork paid for and organised by the Marino community, outside Marino Rocks station.

The station benefits from a medium-sized car park with 14 spaces and 1 disabled bay easily accessed via The Cove Road. Irrigation to support the community plants around the car park was installed in August 2019.

Cars parked at Marino Rocks train station

In May 2018 the station was the focus for an unprecedented 1500-strong community petition by Marino residents to gain more peak services, following their cuts in an April 2018 timetable change.

Marino Rocks community and school children using the station

Following widespread coverage in the media and lobbying by schools with pupils who use Marino Rocks station, one peak morning service was reinstated.

Marino Rocks community and school children using the station

The station is one of the most historic on the line and was initially opened as part of the Willunga railway extension to the Brighton line in 1915, allowing people from inner-Adelaide to visit the surrounding clifftop coastline and beach.[2]

Collection of Marino Rocks train tickets .

The station was rebuilt in 1970 and received a minor upgrade in February 2011 when the line was closed for six months to allow for upgrade works between Oaklands and Noarlunga.[3]

On 2 January 2013, the station was closed again with the whole Seaford line, to allow for its electrification and extension, with trains being replaced by bus services. Rail services resumed at Marino Rocks on 1 December 2013 with electric trains entering service at the station for the first time.

• Media related to Marino Rocks railway station at Wikimedia Commons
• Flickr gallery