Swan Bay Express
Swan Bay Express
Explore Australia’s Unique Rail History
Enjoy a scenic 45-minute train ride alongside the Bellarine’s picturesque Swan Bay. Hauled by one of our 100-plus year old steam locomotives, take a step back in time and experience travelling in our beautifully restored heritage timber carriages. The carriages are fully enclosed yet offer the time-honoured option of raising a window so you can fully immerse yourself and your family into the quintessential railway experience as your steam train gently moves through the changing landscape.
2026 Running Days
The following dates depart Queenscliff Station at
11:00am – 12:00pm – 2:15pm
2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 19, 26 July
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August
6, 13, 20, 22, 24, 27 September
Click here for School Holiday Specials
1, 11, 18, 25 October
1, 8, 15, 22 November
29 December
The following dates depart Queenscliff Station at
12:00pm ONLY
Friday 29 September
Sunday 29 November
Sunday 27 November
From the moment you board The Swan Bay Express, you will be taken straight back to the golden age of rail travel. Check-in at the Booking Office to receive a stamped ‘Edmonson’ Ticket as a souvenir of your journey, before you board the beautifully restored passenger carriages waiting in the platform. When the whistle blows, the train goes, and your journey around the beautiful wetlands of Swan Bay will begin.
At the historic Lakers Siding Station, the doors will swing open once again allowing you to explore the Station and Signallers Office, while the steam locomotive is prepared for the return journey to Queenscliff.
Ask our Booking Officers for a Lineside Guide, or a Spotto Activity Sheet for the kids. Fur passengers are also welcome to travel with their families. Space aboard The Swan Bay Express may be limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The duration of The Swan Bay Express experience is 45 minutes.
Pets Policy
The Bellarine Railway welcomes your fur friend to ride the train, and we will issue them with a complementary dog ticket to take home. There are a few important conditions to consider: All animals must be friendly with fellow passengers, and there are no facilities on the train or at the station for your pet if they need to go to the toilet etc. Pets can only travel in certain carriages, to isolate any potential allergens from other passengers. Please see our volunteers at the booking office to be guided to your compartment.
Terms and Conditions (click to expand)
TRAIN RIDE AND BOOKING INFORMATION:
Our trains depart from the Queenscliff Station: 20 Symonds (bottom of Hesse) Street, Queenscliff 3225 VIC
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 Swan Bay Express.
- A companion is able to travel on the Swan By Express 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 Queenscliff Station to assist you with any inquiries or requests in person.
Purchasing tickets on the day
- Tickets may be purchased at Queenscliff Station 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).
- Patrons arriving late, accept that they will be moved to the next scheduled service, however, this is subject to availability.
Toilets are located at Queenscliff Station, not onboard the train or at Lakers Siding.
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.
- 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.
Passenger Fares
Adult : $18
Concession : $16
Child : $14
Family 1 (2 Adults / 2 Children) : $58
Family 2 (2 Adults / 3 Children) : $68
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 and all sessions depart Queenscliff Station.
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.
Carriages – A wide Variety!
The Bellarine Railway is home to a large collection of carriages from all over Australias 20th century railway system, and therefore offers carriages of many different shapes and sizes for you to ride in! It’s important to note that each day is different, and the carriage selection varies due to operational needs. Below is a quick snapshot to give you an idea of what to expect. Carriage seating is allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Queensland Suburban Carriages
These carriages have a door either side and a full width seat, but have no partitions between seats – meaning that behind your seat there will be another row. We have two of these carriages (numbered BU465 and BUV1299), and they are a good option for bookings of 7-10 people where you do not mind the hustle and bustle of a carriage of other passengers.
Tasmanian Saloon Carriages
We have four Tasmanian saloon carriages, which are an open style carriage with an isle down the middle. Generally we will have one of these on the Swan Bay Express (numbered AAL9), which features smaller ‘booths’ of two or four seats. The other three (numbered AAR1, AAR4, BBL10) are similar, though have more seats and booths seating four. These carriages seat are a popular option for carriage hires but must be arranged prior.
Tasmanian Compartment Carriages
These carriages have fully enclosed compartments, with a door either side and a full width seat. We have two of these carriages (numbered ABL14 and BBL6), and they are perfect for a family booking where you wish to ride in your own compartment, away from other passengers. Each compartment can seat 7 people, and can be reserved in the book now button.