Thomas River, named in 1801, takes its name from an English deserter, Thomas Bentley. Part of Van Der Kemps missionary, Bentley was killed by a poison Bushman Arrow while crossing the river, thus duly named Thomas River.

The original train station, sited between the stone forts, dates from the late 1870’s with the new station coming into being in 1926.  The station saw its last train in 1948 when the new line opened.

Thomas River Historical Village, reborn in 2003, has been passionately restored by Jeff and Ann Sansom to take you back to yesteryear.

Please feel free to explore the village at your leisure including the Private Library, Wagon Museum, Cultural Museum, Pub Museum and Vintage Motor Museum.