Heritage Railways Victoria family holidays
There is no easier way for a family to make of a day out a bona fide adventure than by heading to one of the heritage railways in Victoria. One can put in an overnighter or call at a museum or bakery after a ride on a well-restored train through the Victorian goldfields, the Dandenong Ranges or the Bellarine Peninsula.
My name is Rhys McDonald and I am fond of a journey where you are as much in it for the mode of transport as the destination. The children will have their history, noise and movement all in one with a heritage train ride done the Victoria way; the adults can put city traffic behind them and have a good look out the window. Do not forget that steam railway travel is governed by its own timetable, not the family’s. Punctuality is best learned before you miss a departure and find out how costly it is.
Family Friendly Railway Trips
You will find heritage railways in Victoria to match any age or attention span, making them ideal for Victoria family rail adventures. Some put on regular services, others have programmes for school holidays or special events for the family on a given weekend.
The likes of Puffing Billy, the Bellarine and Victorian Goldfields Railways are the most sought after. Then there is Yarra Valley, Steamrail Victoria and Daylesford Spa Country Railway which are equally suited to families if you take into account their varying service types and operating days. It is worth consulting the timetables first, in the school holidays especially.
| Railway | Main Route Or Area | Typical Planning Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffing Billy Railway | Belgrave and the Dandenong Ranges | Half to full day | Classic steam trains, younger children and those visiting for the first time |
| Bellarine Railway | Queenscliff and Drysdale | A half day and some coastal stops | To have your train ride with regional food, beaches and history |
| Victorian Goldfields Railway | Castlemaine and Maldon | Full day, or a weekend | Older children, country towns and railway history |
| Yarra Valley Railway | Healesville area | Half to full day | A regional weekend in the scenic countryside |
| Steamrail Victoria | Various routes in Victoria | Full day (event dependent) | Special steam excursions for the enthusiast |
Classic Fun on Puffing Billy
For the family after a bit of Victoria-style steam, Puffing Billy Railway is the place to begin. From Belgrave the railway takes you into the Dandenong Ranges where the old train, cool air and tall trees make for a memorable outing of no great road trip.
Let the children have their fun with the wheels and whistle of the locomotive; they are not going to be concerned with the historic import of the line. You can tell them later how it was the means by which visitors and communities were brought to the hills. They will be more receptive to the history once the smoke and excitement has died down.
Making a Day of Belgrave
Driving families will have no trouble making use of the town facilities and parking around the railway, and metropolitan public transport is an option too. But factor in time for tickets, the right platform, the toilet and so on. The station can be as crowded as sardines on a weekend.
With the boarding and the inevitable wandering of the family a return can occupy the better part of the day. Put on shoes for uneven ground and a light raincoat; pack some snacks even if you intend to put money down for food. The Dandenongs are cooler than Melbourne and the paths get slippery in the wet.
A Coastal Getaway on the Bellarine
The Bellarine Railway makes a fine choice for a holiday that is part railway, part coast, with family rides between the Queenscliff and Drysdale area. You can put the journey in with a walk on the foreshore, some local eating and the old streets of Queenscliff.
It is the sort of thing for a family wanting something beyond the confines of a train. The adults can have their history and the children room to let off some steam. Have water and sunscreen to hand, a bright day by the coast will have everyone parched before they say so.
Queenscliff and the Train
To get to the railway and see the Bellarine Peninsula driving is the sensible course. Be sure of your departure point as the railway and other attractions might not share the same access. With prams and small ones in tow, give yourself 30 minutes at least to board.
Do not count on a daily service. There are themed and seasonal affairs with the Bellarine Railway and bookings are essential. Should the train be at capacity the coastal towns are a good enough fallback for a day out, not that you want to be told by your offspring that they have had enough of trains.
A History of the Goldfields Railway
The Victorian Goldfields Railway is your link to the Castlemaine and Maldon area, a route defined by its country setting, old stations and the legacy of Victoria’s gold-mining days. A good option for families in the mood for an unhurried day, it is a train ride that can be the prelude to some museum or historic building visits and time spent in the country towns.
Castlemaine and Maldon make for a solid weekend getaway with their cafés, bakeries, galleries and places to put down roots not far from the railway. The older ones in the family will likely have more of an affinity for the locomotives and what went on here in the past; set them the task of looking out for signal equipment or how the land changes and they will be all the more engaged.
Overnight in the Goldfields
When you factor in the driving, boarding and seeing the town, a full day out of Melbourne can wear on you. To make of it a more leisurely affair, put up at a hotel in Castlemaine, Maldon or Bendigo. An overnighter means you do not have to turn the car into a mobile punishment box after the railway, a decent meal and another activity are done.
For the most part the roads are unproblematic but one should plan any regional travel. Put some slack in the schedule and you will be better off than if you put together an itinerary predicated on every connection going smoothly. And top up the tank before you get to the smaller towns.
Other Railways to Consider
Families that have been on the well-trodden routes will find something different with the Yarra Valley, Daylesford Spa Country or Steamrail Victoria. They run less often and put out some unusual restored heritage stock like railmotors or special excursion consists.
If the search is on for a steam train in Melbourne today, Steamrail Victoria is of use as its excursions are not confined to a single tourist track but can be found in various parts of the state. Do not assume the destination or the engine will be the same each time; read the service information and make of it a distinct trip.
What the Family Fancies
Puffing Billy is the straightforward answer for younger children: the experience is self-evident and there is no shortage of things to do in the vicinity. Want a beach and a train? Go with the Bellarine. For a slower tempo and some history, the Victorian Goldfields Railway is without equal.
Those who value the countryside and where they will eat and sleep as much as the ride may prefer the Yarra Valley or Daylesford options. Then there is Steamrail Victoria for the enthusiast or a family content to make a day of a special event instead of something that runs on the hour.
Some Planning Before You Leave
An easy day on the heritage railways from Melbourne has a principal activity and two to back it up. Anything more ambitious, like cramming in a winery, a long lunch, a wildlife park, three towns and a museum along with the train, is not so much an itinerary as a plea for assistance.
Pick the railway first and work back from the time of departure. You will not always end up where you left the car on the return, and replacement buses could be in operation for a special event.
A Day With the Family
- Be in 30 to 45 minutes ahead of time to sort out parking, tickets and the like.
- Once on the heritage train let the afternoon be what it will, whether that is a local attraction, a walk or some food.
- Then put in an hour or so before the drive home for delays, the odd lost jumper and weary children.
If it is to be a one-day affair, give priority to the railway and a spot close by. Puffing Billy and the Dandenong Ranges of Belgrave go hand in hand, as does the Bellarine with Queenscliff. The Victorian Goldfields Railway pairs with Castlemaine or Maldon though staying over is more of a comfort.
Costs, Timetables and Tickets
There is no statewide price for a ticket on the heritage railways in Victoria; it is a matter of the fare type, the carriage, the event and the route. Steam excursions will run you to more than the standard services.
To budget, figure on in the region of $50 to $200 for four for the train alone, not counting meals or premium experiences. That is for planning purposes only. The railway’s booking system will have the definitive figures on availability, child-age rules and cancellation.
| Expense | Family Planning Allowance | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Train tickets | AUD $50–$200 for a family of four | Concessions, the event, carriage and route |
| Food and drink | AUD $40–$100 a day | Regional stops, packed lunches or a café |
| Parking / transport | AUD $0–$30 | Event arrangements and paid parking |
| Accommodation | Per night AUD $150–$350 | Room size, weekends and school holidays |
When looking at the Victoria steam rail timetable, go by what the railway or excursion operator has to say in their official capacity and not some social-media posting of yesteryear. Locomotive maintenance, a spike in event demand, track work, fire danger or inclement weather are just some of the reasons services may be altered.
Pack For Weather And Access
Do not be surprised if Victoria’s fine weather gives way to sideways rain without much fanfare. A word of advice is to consult the Bureau of Meteorology for their Victoria forecasts prior to setting out; should there be transport snags or bushfire warnings on your route, think twice about the excursion.
- Have on hand sturdy shoes, warm layers, a raincoat, sunscreen as well as water and snacks.
- Before you put down an order, see what is required for prams, wheelchairs and other assistance.
- Make sure children do not loiter near the platform edge, couplings, any moving machinery or the tracks.
- Verify that parking and return arrangements are in place and that there are accessible facilities and toilets.
- Put the departure time in your phone for offline viewing where reception is not to be relied upon.
It is a common mistake to put a heritage railway on a par with a city tram. There can be steps to board, uneven platforms and carriages where a large pram will not fit. If there is one in the family with mobility issues, put your access questions to the operator before parting with your money.
Expectation Versus Reality
One might picture the train making its way through the countryside in polite silence. In reality the steam has a way of drifting into the carriage, the kids are ravenous 14 minutes after they have been fed and a damp platform can make the walk back no fun at all. But that is hardly reason to think less of it; it is what makes for a proper family outing. The better Victoria rail adventures allow for the odd delay or toilet stop, and for the fact a child may have more interest in the bakery than the locomotive.
Choose Your Best Route
There is something to be said for a Victoria family holiday on the heritage railways: you get your history, your destination and your transport in one tidy package. Puffing Billy Railway is the tried and true first trip, the Bellarine Railway for a day on the coast, while Victorian Goldfields Railway is for those wanting a more thorough historical escape.
Make your booking in good time for the school holidays and let the train dictate the day instead of trying to force it into a plan that is already full. Be flexible with your expectations and dress in sensible layers. Let the journey be its own form of entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Heritage Train Rides Are Available In Victoria?
You will find the likes of Puffing Billy, Bellarine, Yarra Valley and Daylesford Spa Country Railways among the popular ones, as well as Victorian Goldfields and Steamrail Victoria. Timetables are subject to change with the season, maintenance and special events so it is best to check before you go.
Is Puffing Billy Railway Worth It?
A good many families would say yes. You get a bona fide steam railway experience not far from Melbourne with easy access to Belgrave and the Dandenong Ranges. Make it worthwhile by factoring in time for the full return, boarding and parking, and perhaps an activity in the vicinity.
How Much Do Heritage Railway Tickets Cost?
That is hard to put a figure on. Plan on between $50 and $200 for four from the family (meals and lodging aside). But speak to the railway for the current fare as a premium carriage or concession can alter the price.
Which Scenic Train Rides Suit Families?
First timers and the younger set are well catered for on Puffing Billy. If you want to pair the ride with the attractions of Queenscliff, the Bellarine Railway is the answer. For a more leisurely regional day with an eye on historic towns and railway history, the Victorian Goldfields Railway is a solid option.
Are Heritage Railways Open During School Holidays?
For the most part they put on services and family events, though not every railway is running each day. Special timetables may be in effect and departures can sell out, so have your dates confirmed and book up before committing to any non-refundable accommodation.
Where Can I Find Steam Train Timetables?
The relevant operator will have the current timetable or a booking page. With Steamrail Victoria in particular the routes and dates can differ. Leave the old screenshots alone, operating conditions and what locomotives are available are not fixed things.