Seaside Explorer
Seaside Explorer
Spend a Day by The Seaside
Leave the roads behind as you step into the golden age of railway travel! Experience the entirely of the Bellarine Railway, as the heritage train makes its way from Drysdale to the seaside town of Queenscliff. Disembark and explore all that this charming town has to offer, before returning by rail at the end of the day.
Stepping aboard the Seaside Explorer means stepping back into a golden age of holiday travel, where the journey is just as memorable as the destination. Remember to Check-in at the Booking Office to receive a stamped ticket as a souvenir of your journey, before you board the beautifully restored passenger carriages, ready to take you on a journey to the seaside town of Queenscliff.
Enjoy the simplicity of a bygone era, as the conductor moves through the carriages punching tickets, as the busy streets out the window slowly give way to rolling hills, dense forests, and the beautiful shorelines of Swan Bay.
The duration of The Seaside Explorer experience is 45 minutes in each direction.
2026 Running Days
Friday 25 September
Sunday 29 November
Sunday 27 December
2027 Running Days
Sunday 3 January
Have a look at our recent Seaside Explorer trains – we try to keep each one unique!
Terms and Conditions (click to expand)
TRAIN RIDE AND BOOKING INFORMATION:
Pre-book tickets
- Online bookings close at 10am on each train running day.
- Tickets are not refundable unless the operator cancels the service outright.
- When booking tickets you agree to receive an email requesting optional feedback after your visit, to give us valuable information on ways we can improve.
- VOUCHERS: Booking requests for voucher holders are accepted by email within business hours. Alternatively, present the voucher at the gate, however, tickets are subject to availability. Please note that family tickets are excluded, as they are already discounted. Send email HERE
Companion Card holders
- The Bellarine Railway accepts Companion Cards for the Seaside Explorer.
- A companion is able to travel on the Seaside Explorer event free of charge when their client purchases an adult or concession ticket online.
- To arrange a companion ticket, please forward the booking confirmation email, with a scan of the companion card HERE
- Please note that email requests will only receive responses during business hours. On days when trains are running, our Booking Officers will be available at Drysdale and Queenscliff Stations to assist you with any inquiries or requests in person.
Purchasing tickets on the day
- Tickets may be purchased at Drysdale and Queenscliff Stations unless sold out prior – please check with the booking officer for availability.
- Any available tickets are sold to walk-up patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. No telephone bookings are possible. Cashless payments are preferred.
- Pre-booked patrons must present their tickets at the booking office window before boarding the train, to confirm their arrival and collect the souvenir ticket(s).
- As there is only one Seaside Explorer service operating on schedules dates, patrons arriving late accept that there will be no following train to be moved to.
Toilets are located at Drysdale, Suma Park, and Queenscliff Stations, not onboard the train itself.
REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS:
Carriage seats
- Currently, there are no allocated carriages or seats, we reserve the right to ask to share ‘sets’ of seats, to accommodate fellow passengers.
- There will be no ‘Private Compartment Bookings’ available on the Seaside Explorer
- Patrons are advised that our heritage carriages may not be accessible to all wheelchairs, depending on the width of the chair.
- We recommend calling 5258 2069 during business hours (at least 48 hours prior) to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Wheelchair users may ride with the Guard, however, space may be subject to availability.
Photography & Videos
- From time to time The Bellarine Railway carries out photography and/or video recording which may feature visitors on its premises. By booking, you agree that The Bellarine Railway may use such images in perpetuity in any promotional, advertising or publicity material in any format whatsoever. You further agree that copyright in these materials rests with The Bellarine Railway.
Disclaimers
- Service timetables, calendars, motive power (steam/diesel), and fares may be altered with little or no advance notice.
- We reserve the right to operate the scheduled service with a diesel locomotive due to maintenance requirements, Other reasons may include but are not limited to unforeseen circumstances and on days of Total Fire Ban. On days of extreme weather, we also reserve the right to cancel the day’s service.
Changing Train Date/Service
- Tickets are non-refundable unless the operator cancels the service outright.
- Requests for day-of-travel changes will only be considered when received via email – HERE – no less than, 48 hours before the pre-booked date.
- While The Bellarine Railway will make reasonable efforts to contact patrons, trains must depart on schedule. Patrons who miss their departure or return trip are responsible for arranging alternative transport at their own expense. Refunds are not available if a patron misses part or all of a journey.
Passenger Fares
DRYSDALE – QUEENSCLIFF and Return
Adult : $40
Concession : $35
Child : $30
Family 1 (2 Adults / 2 Children) : $125
Family 2 (2 Adults / 3 Children) : $155
DRYSDALE – QUEENSCLIFF one-way
Adult : $25
Concession : $23
Child : $20
Toddlers/babies 0-3 years do not require a ticket for this service. Online bookings close at 10am on each running day, with tickets available at the gate, unless sold out prior.
Above prices exclude booking fees.
While the advertised service is generally hauled by a steam locomotive, we reserve the right to use a diesel locomotive, on days of Total Fire Ban and when repair and maintenance are needed.
By booking tickets you confirm that you have read and accepted the service information, requirements, disclaimers, fees and terms detailed on this page.
Explore The Bellarine!
Theres plenty to see and do along this beautiful stretch of the Bellarine, and the Seaside Explorer is your gateway to exploring all that there is to offer! The seaside town of Queenscliff has plenty of local eateries and shops in the main street (Hesse St), as well as a marina, scenic beaches, and a host of maritime history to explore just walking distance from Queenscliff Station. Notable locations include:
Searoad Ferries Terminal (to Sorrento)
Fort Queenscliff / the Black Lighthouse
Point Lonsdale Foreshore / Queenscliff South Pier
Queenscliff Community Market (Last Sunday of the Month)
The Bellarine Rail Trail
Situated next to railway line is The Bellarine Rail Trail – a walking/cycling trail running along the original railway alignment from South Geelong to Queenscliff. Arrangements can be made for passengers to board or disembark at two additional stations along the line Swan Bay (2km from Queenscliff), and Suma Park (10km from Queenscliff). Both are unmanned stations and are directly connected to the rail trail – ideal if you’d like to ride the train for a section, and complete the rest of the journey on the rail trail!
Contact Us to arrange use of additional Stations, as well as capacity for bicycles on the train. This MUST be arranged prior to the day of travel, due to limited capacity aboard the train itself.
Note: Suma Park Station can only be accessed from the Bellarine Rail Trail.
Catching the Train – Where do I go?
If boarding the Seaside Explorer at Drysdale:
The train will depart Drysdale Station at 10:30am for a 45 minute train journey towards Queenscliff. You will have over 2 hours to explore Queenscliff, before boarding the train for the return journey, departing at Queenscliff Station at 1:45pm.
If boarding the Seaside Explorer at Queenscliff:
The train will depart Queenscliff Station at 1:45pm, for a 45 minute ONE-WAY journey towards Drysdale. There will be no return journey available if departing from Queenscliff.
DRYSDALE STATION: 2-10 Station Street, Drysdale 3222
QUEENSCLIFF STATION: 22 Symonds Street, Queenscliff 3225