Mystery hikes

In 1932 five mystery hikes around Sydney were organised by the railways, with the department store F.J. Palmer and Sons as the commercial sponsor. Hikers purchased a two-shilling train ticket and joined a train from Central Station to a mystery destination.

The hikes, held on Sundays, were enormously popular.

The first Mystery Hike was from Waterfall to Audley in the [Royal] National Park on 26 June 1932

The second Mystery Hike was from Valley Heights in the lower Blue Mountains to Penrith on 10 July 1932. Four trains conveyed approximately 2,000 hikers.

The third Mystery Hike from Cowan Station to the Hawkesbury River on 24 July 1932 used 12 trains to carry almost 8,000 participants.

The fourth Mystery Hike was held at Stanwell Park on 7 August 1932.