WELCOME TO THE Q TRAIN

Welcome to the Q Train

Have you ever wondered how it would feel to leisurely graze on a five-course banquet of the freshest local fare, while sipping on your tipple of choice, all from the luxury of your own private train carriage-come-dining room? Enter The Q Train, your travelling, fully licensed and one-of-a-kind restaurant.

The Q train is not just a train, and not just a restaurant. It is a fabulous fusion of both of these things, and so much more!

The Q Train departs from the Victorian township of Drysdale on the Bellarine Peninsula, just over a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne CBD. The entire journey and dining experience delivers a multi-sensory showcase of the very best the Bellarine has to offer, both on your plate and out the window. This delectable gastronomic journey takes approximately three hours, passing through the heart of the Bellarine Peninsula, past Suma Park Winery and the iconic Swan Bay. The train then continues to Queenscliff, where it then turns around and travels back to historic Drysdale Station.

Enroute, your tastebuds will be taken on a journey of discovery, as you sample and savour some of the region’s finest and freshest local produce. Everything in your mouth-watering degustation is locally sourced from the surrounding areas, delivering a truly tantalising taste of the Bellarine.

The Q Train operates on weekends, serving up a leisurely long lunch on Fridays and Sundays. During the winter months (from April to September) we also offer a lunchtime service on Saturdays. During the summertime (from October to March) guests have the option of a delectable dinner aboard the train on Saturday evenings. Extra service days are being planned for 2024. To confirm current times, please contact us directly or visit our website at theqtrain.com.au.

Step aboard and prepare to indulge in a dining journey unlike any other!

All Aboard the Q Train

Your journey begins at the historic Drysdale Station, which was first opened in 1879. Upon arrival, you can expect to find a yellow, weatherboard station house to the left, and the platform directly ahead of you. The railway line is situated next to Lake Lorne, a large, freshwater lake that’s home to many native birds like ducks, swans and pelicans. So, don’t be alarmed if you’re greeted at the station by a cacophony of quacking and honking sounds!

Don’t worry, you’ll be greeted by a human, too, in the form of your train-manager, who will likely be decked out in an apron. You’ll then be directed by one of our wonderful waiters to the Q Train, along the red carpet, if you please! You’ll be offered the option to have your photo taken on the red carpet, in front of the Q Train, so your social media followers can marvel at your new-found stardom. You’ll then be presented with a complimentary beverage. Common offerings include the choice between a local prosecco, a local lager, and a non-alcoholic fruit punch. Then, it’s time to dine, in style!

Dining in Sophisticated Style

We are proud to offer our guests a degustation menu that showcases the finest and freshest locally and ethically sourced produce from Geelong, Bellarine and the Otways. Our seasonally changing menu is a feast for the senses, prepared and cooked onboard in our kitchen carriage, which you’re welcome to visit during your journey.

Guests have two options to select from when booking an adventure on the Q Train. You can choose to dine in Q Class, or if you’re feeling fancy, you can opt to indulgence in First Class. If you select Q Class, you will be seated at dining tables in the open dining carriages, which are set up like a traditional restaurant. You will be treated to a five-course delectable degustation, and have the opportunity to purchase beverages from the drinks menu. The beverage list features beer, wine, cider, gin, vodka and whiskey all from local suppliers within Geelong, Bellarine and the Otways.

First class guests are seated in private compartments which are perfect for two, and are available for groups up to ten guests. If you opt for First Class, you will also enjoy the same five-course degustation as Q Class diners, but in addition, you will receive butler service and the Q Train’s signature drink pairing. This includes five 100-millilitre pours of wine, beer or mocktails that we think best enhance the flavour of each course of the meal you will be served.

On the first two weekends of each month (except December and January), the Q Train is hauled by a 70-year-old South African Railways steam locomotive. Relive the magic of yesteryear, as you hear the nostalgic sound of the steam engine’s whistle and feel the gentle rolling rhythm of the train. These services include a unique photo opportunity, and incur a small surcharge to cover additional operational costs.

For a more detailed description of the entire experience, please listen to our ‘Q Train Experience’ audio guide.

How the Q Train Came to Be

We are proud to operate on Wadawurrung country, in an area known as Bellawiyn in Wadawurrung language. We acknowledge the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nations as the traditional custodians and caretakers of the land through which we travel, and we pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We know the Wadawurrung people have lived, loved, and shared meals together for thousands of years upon this land.

You might say our beginnings were humble. In 2016, two blokes who had worked with trains for the best part of 50 years purchased several historic carriages from Queensland Rail. Since then, we have been refurbishing and repurposing these historic relics, and have turned them into the boutique rail restaurant we now know and love - The Q Train.

Today, our family-owned and operated business continues to be driven by our passion to showcase the very best this beautiful region has to offer. We love supporting our local farmers, winemakers, brewers and distillers, and allowing guests to discover the bountiful flavours of the Bellarine for themselves.

Accessibility Overview

Street parking is available at Drysdale Station. There are also plenty of public transport and transfer options available to get you to and from The Q Train. Why not board a ferry from Melbourne’s Docklands or the Mornington Peninsula to enjoy a seamless sail, rail and dining adventure without the need for a designated driver? We offer scheduled pick-ups from the Portarlington and Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, as well as from various hotels in the Bellarine. We can also organise bus transport from Geelong or Melbourne.

If you’d like assistance boarding or disembarking the train, please note this at the time of booking, and our friendly staff will be more than happy to help. Given the historic nature of the Q Train carriages, access for wheelchair users and guests using walking frames may be limited. An attendant propelled slimline wheelchair can be arranged, allowing access to the Q Class Bar and Dining Room. Please email bookings@theqtrain.com.au or call (03) 4238 3930 to arrange this service, or to discuss your specific requirements.

We do have bathrooms on-board each carriage, but unfortunately these are not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms can be found on the platforms at Drysdale and Queenscliff Stations.

We are excited to offer braille, large print, and QR-accessible copies of our menu to guests who require them. If you’d like an adapted menu, please make a note in your booking, or ask your waiter upon seating. We also offer communication boards for people with social communication difficulties. Registered assistance dogs are welcome onboard. Please notify us at the time of booking so we can ensure your table allows space for your dog. There are grassy toileting areas available for dog guides at each station at which we either board or stop.

For further details on Q Train’s accessibility, including information to assist guests with sensory sensitivities, please visit theqtrain.com.au/accessibility.