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Heritage train rides in victoria
Enjoy a journey on a heritage train and travel between historic gold rush villages, across stunning gullies and gorges, through beautiful forests and along impressive old bridges.
There are many organisations across Victoria that provide unforgettable experiences on heritage locomotives, and each provides their own unique services on their lovingly restored trains and carriages. Read on to discover them all, starting with those in and around the Victorian Goldfields region.
Victorian Goldfields Railway, Maldon VIC
Victorian Goldfields Railway, Maldon VIC. Image source: www.vgr.com.au
The Victorian Goldfields Railway is an authentic heritage stream train experience which links the historic gold rush towns of Maldon and Castlemaine. Opened in 1884, this is the last remaining fully operational branch line as used to open up rural Victoria in the late 19th century.
Visitors can take a ride in excursion class with their own family compartment, or step back in time to an era of elegance and decadence in first class. For a small extra fee you can even ride with the driver!
Trains can be boarded from either the Maldon or Castlemaine train stations.
Victorian Goldfields Railway also offers the opportunity to spend the day learning about and driving the steam trains in their Steam Driver Experience packages.
Ticket prices:
- Excursion Class
- Adult: $50
- Concession: $45
- Child: $20
- Family: $110
- First Class
- Adult: $70
- Concession: $65
- Child: $65
- Family: N/A
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Victorian Goldfields Railway website.
Daylesford Spa Country Railway, Daylesford VIC
Daylesford Spa Country Railway. Image source: www.dscr.com.au
Take a heritage train ride in the Central Highlands with the Daylesford Spa Country Railway. Enjoy your trip through the beautiful countryside and forest as you make you way to the highest operating railway station in Victoria, then return along the top of the range through open farmland and thick forest, passing ancient volcano sites and small communities which were established back in the gold rush era.
Tours run every Sunday and start from Daylesford's heritage listed railway station.
Ticket prices for The 1 hour return trip to Bullarto (other options available):
- Adult: $20
- Concession: $18
- School age child: $15
- Toddler: Free - and they still get a ticket for the conductor to punch
- Family: $45
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Daylesford Spa Country Railway website.
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway, Healesville VIC
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway, Healesville VIC. Image source: Tripadvisor.
Take a ride on a fully restored 22RM Walker Railmotor across approximately 4.5km of restored railway line to the Tarrawarra Estate, passing through the beautiful Yarra Valley and 150m long historic brick tunnel.
The train was restored by the Volunteers of the Yarra Valley Railway in the Healesville Station Mechanical Workshop, for which the Yarra Valley Railway received a national restoration award in 2009.
Tickets for the Yarra Valley Railway can be purchased at Healesville Station on the day of travel.
Ticket prices:
- Adult: $18
- Concession: $16
- Child age 3-16: $12
- Child age 2 and under: Free
- Family (2A 2C): $50
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Yarra Valley Railway website.
Wallhalla Goldfields Railway, Walhalla VIC
Crossing the Thomson River Bridge on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Image source: www.visitbawbaw.com.au
Take a ride through the specatular Stringers Creek Gorge and across the Thomson River with the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. The first section of the track is built over six large trestle bridges that cross Stringers Creek. Visitors enjoy spectacular scenery through the gorge before crossing over the impressive Thomson River Bridge and arriving at the picturesque Thomson Station. Visitors disembark here at the historic platform to allow the train crew to get the train ready for the return trip. Relax and explore the station before reboarding. Refreshments are available within the station.
Ticket prices:
- Return Trip
- Adult: $20
- Senior/concession: $15
- Child age 5-16: $15
- Family (2A 2C): $50
- Family (1A 4C): $50
- One Way
- Adult: $15
- Seniors/concession: $12
- Child age 5-16: $12
- Family (2A 2C): $30
- Family (1A 4C): $30
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Walhalla Goldfields Railway website.
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway, Kerrisdale VIC
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway, Kerrisdale VIC. Image source: KMR Facebook page
This unique narrow gauge tourist railway offers spectacular views of the whole Upper Goulburn Valley and beyond. The railway, which was developed by volunteers, follows a zig-zag formation. Visitors can also explore the steam museum and workshop.
Find out more at the Kerrisdale Mountain Railway Facebook page.
Mornington Railway, Mornington VIC
Mornington Railway's historic steam train. Image source: Herald Sun.
Mornington Railway offers rides on their steam and heritage diesel locomotives along a restored section of the railway line between Moorooduc and Mornington. Lovingly restored, some of their heritage carriages are over 100 years old!
Ticket prices:
- Return trip
- Adult: $22
- Concession: $17
- Child age 4-16: $11
- Family (2A 2C): $55
- One way
- Adult: $14
- Child age 4-16: $8
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Mornington Railway website.
Puffing Billy, Dandenong Ranges VIC
The famous Puffing Billy steam train, Dandenong Ranges VIC. Image source: Melbourne on the Move.
Journey through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, across lush fern gullies and beneath towering Mountain Ash trees, on this renowned century-old steam strain.
Puffing Billy operates every day of the year except Christmas Day and is Australia's premier preserved steam railway.
Ticket prices:
- Belgrave to Emerald or Lakeside
- Adult (age 17+): $59
- Concession: $46.50
- Child (age 4-16): $30.50
- Family (2A 4C): $118
- Emerald or Lakeside to Gembrook
- Adult (age 17+): $59
- Concession: $46.50
- Child (age 4-16): $30.50
- Family (2A 4C): $118
- Belgrave to Gembrook
- Adult (age 17+): $77.50
- Concession: $61
- Child (age 4-16): $39
- Family (2A 4C): $155
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Puffing Billy website.
Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway, Red Cliffs VIC
Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway, Red Cliffs VIC. Image source: www.redcliffshistoricalsteamrailway.org
Journey from Red Cliffs to Morkalla on the 1.5 km narrow gauge railway. The train runs every half hour on the first Sunday of each month (except January and February) from 11.00am to 3.30pm.
Ticket prices:
- Adult: $8
- Children: $4
- Family: $20
Prices correct March 2019
Find out more at the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway website.
Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff VIC
Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff VIC. Image source: www.bellarinerailway.com.au
Experience a heritage train ride with the Bellarine Railway, which takes you across The Bellarine alongside Swan Bay and through remnant bush. Driver experiences are also available! Trains depart from Queenscliff and Drysdale Stations on most Sundays through the year, as well as Tuesday and Thursday in the Easter, July and September school holidays. Extra train running days will be scheduled during the summer holidays.
Find out more at the Bellarine Railway website.
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