Thomas & Friends and Journey Beyond team up to give one family an unforgettable cross-country train adventure on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth
Thomas & Friends, the beloved children’s franchise that has captured hearts for generations, is giving families across the nation a chance to be crowned Australia’s biggest fans. For over eight decades, Thomas & Friends has been a cherished part of families worldwide, sparking creativity and inspiring new adventures.
It’s full steam ahead for the national search this October, as Thomas & Friends is teaming up with Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, to give one family of four a Thomas & Friends-inspired cross-country train adventure. The winning family will experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip on board the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth in Thomas & Friends-themed train cabins for the journey.
Family on train celebrating 80 years of Thomas & Friends
The story of Thomas & Friends
Thomas & Friends has delighted children and parents since 1945, when Reverend W. Awdry first introduced Thomas in The Railway Series. Over the decades, the brand has expanded into books, television, films, live events, and toys, bringing joy to generations of fans across 200 territories and 52 languages worldwide.
“As we celebrate 80 years of Thomas & Friends, we wanted to create an experience that captures the joy and adventure Thomas has brought to families for generations,” said Paul Faulkner, SVP & Managing Director, Asia Pacific at Mattel. “This Thomas & Friends-inspired journey gives one lucky family the chance to experience the connection, discovery and fun that Thomas represents, bringing his enduring spirit to life in a real-world adventure.”
“Journey Beyond is proud to partner with Mattel to bring Thomas & Friends to life in such a fun and iconic way. The Indian Pacific is one of the world’s great train journeys, and combining it with a beloved brand that has inspired generations of children adds an extra layer of magic. Together, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for a special family to share – celebrating both the enduring legacy of Thomas & Friends and the spirit of Australian adventure.” said Justine Lally Executive General Manager Marketing at Journey Beyond.
Families who love Thomas & Friends are invited to enter by uploading a short video to celebratewiththomas.com, sharing their story and explaining why Thomas holds a special place in their hearts. Entries will open at 12.01 am AEST on Thursday, 2nd of October and will close on Thursday, 23rd of October at 11:59 pm.
Thomas & Friends 80th anniversary products
Giving all fans the chance to join in the celebration of Thomas & Friends’ 80th anniversary, a Mattel 80th collector edition diecast Thomas engine will be available at shop.mattel.com.au/.
The full range of Thomas & Friends toys is available in-store and online at Big W, Target, Myer, Amazon and other independent specialty retailers.
This year’s anniversary also includes the release of the never-before-seen 1983 pilot episode featuring Ringo Starr’s original voiceover, which is now available to watch on YouTube. By piecing together and digitising 40-year-old 35mm film trims, Mattel has rebuilt the pilot episode to show fans what the very first test shoot looked like.
Spanning Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is your trusted online guide and free printed magazine for parents. We cover kids’ events and activities, attractions and things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, family health & wellbeing, plus the latest parenting and lifestyle news. Based in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, QLD.
