[3] Helensburgh's first station opened in 1889 as the single line from Sutherland was progressively extended south towards Stanwell Park.

The first Helensburgh Station was built in 1889 on the first single line section of the Illawarra Railway, opening from Waterfall to Scarborough in 1888.

[3] Early train operations from Clifton (Scarborough) to Waterfall required 8 tunnels penetrating ridges with high embankments between.

[3] In order to provide a duplicated railway as far as Wollongong it was necessary to plan an entirely new section of the line that started at South Waterfall and ended at Lilyvale.

Work commenced in 1914 to eliminate the original single line route south of Waterfall with its steep grades and poorly ventilated tunnels.

[3] Helensburgh Railway Station has an island platform with a standard brick single storey building being one of the longest of its type, the signal box section now being used as a waiting room.

[7] It is also the terminating point for one weekday afternoon Sydney Trains service that is extended from Waterfall primarily to convey school students.

The building features original timber framed double hung windows with 9-paned top sashes with coloured glass panes.

The rebuilding of Helensburgh Railway Station in 1915 is historically associated with the construction of the "Helensburgh Deviation" a massive NSW Railways construction project undertaken from 1914–1920 to eliminate the original single Illawarra line route south of Waterfall with its steep grades and poorly ventilated tunnels.

[3] Helensburgh railway station was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

The rebuilding of Helensburgh Railway Station in 1915 is historically associated with the construction of the "Helensburgh Deviation" a massive NSW Railway construction project undertaken 1914–1920 to eliminate the original single Illawarra line route south of Waterfall with its steep grades and poorly ventilated tunnels.

[3] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

[3] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Helensburgh Railway Station is a fine representative railway station with an early standard brick platform building, of which there are 12 examples on the Illawarra line (other examples at Banksia, Bulli, Carlton, Coledale, Erskineville, Kiama, Mortdale, Rockdale, Scarborough, Sydenham and Wollongong).