It is 56.1 km (34.9 mi) by rail from Adelaide station or 30.3 kilometres (18.8 miles) in a direct line south-east from the centre of Adelaide.

Nairne station opened on 27 November 1883 as the interim terminus of the Adelaide–Wolseley line.

The station closed on 31 December 1990 when the Adelaide–Mount Gambier passenger service ceased.

The original station building and goods shed remain, but the smaller platform was demolished about 1994 during works to convert the line to standard gauge.

The building in 2024 is the headquarters of the Nairne & Districts Lions Club, which has, as one of its projects, the renovation and rehabilitation of the station precinct.