The Q Train Q Class Dining Journey from Drysdale (One Seat)

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A three-hour lunch or dinner on a moving restaurant train, rolling from Drysdale across the Bellarine Peninsula to Queenscliff and back while the kitchen carriage sends out a five-course seasonal menu of Geelong, Bellarine and Otways produce. This is one seat in Q Class, the social dining carriages.

Days

3 hours

Age

12 years and over

Group size

Shared social dining carriage

Start / finish

Drysdale Station / Queenscliff / Drysdale Station
Drysdale Station, about 3 hours after departure

Return

Drysdale Station, about 3 hours after departure

Transport

Heritage dining train on the Bellarine Railway

Meals

Five-course degustation lunch or dinner, plus a drink on arrival

Route

Map of The Q Train Q Class Dining Journey from Drysdale - Table for 1

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Included experiences

Drysdale Station — red-carpet welcome drink before boarding
Suma Park — hills, vineyards and farmland from your table
Swan Bay — dining stop on the shore with seabirds
Queenscliff Station — short platform stop for photos
On board — five-course seasonal menu from local produce

The Q Train Sail, Rail & Dine - Q Class - Table for 1

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

BOARDING AT DRYSDALE

Your journey starts at Drysdale Station, on the Bellarine Peninsula about 25 minutes from Geelong, where boarding opens 30 minutes before departure. Walk the red carpet with a welcome drink in hand: a local lager, local bubbly or a fruit punch. The carriages once ran on Queensland Rail's Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, and were brought south in 2016 to become a moving restaurant. In Q Class you take your seat at a table in one of the two social dining carriages, the Dining Car or the Bar and Dining Car, and the wait staff look after you from there. The train leaves on time, so don't cut it fine.

THROUGH THE BELLARINE TO SWAN BAY

The Bellarine Railway runs on the old Geelong to Queenscliff line, which opened in 1879 and is now kept going as a heritage railway. As the first courses come out of the kitchen carriage, the train rolls through the hills of Suma Park, past vineyards and farmland. Then the line meets the shore of Swan Bay, a shallow bay of seagrass and mudflats listed as a wetland of international importance, and the train pauses so you can eat with the water beside you. Look for black swans and wading birds on the flats. On an evening run, this is where the sun goes down.

QUEENSCLIFF AND THE RUN HOME

The train turns round at Queenscliff, at the tip of the peninsula. The town grew up guarding the Rip, the narrow entrance to Port Phillip, and Fort Queenscliff still stands above the water. You can step out onto the station platform to stretch your legs and take photos. Then it's back the way you came, with the rest of the five courses served on the run home, all built on produce from Geelong, the Bellarine and the Otways. Wine, beer and cocktails from the region are for sale on board. About three hours after you left, the train pulls back into Drysdale.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Drysdale Railway Station, 2–10 Station Street, Drysdale. Free off-street parking (gravel) at the station. About 1.5 hours' drive from Melbourne, or 25 to 30 minutes from Geelong.
Departure time: Lunch services at 11:30am on weekdays and 12:30pm at weekends; Saturday dinner at 6:30pm from November to March. Arrive 30 minutes early. Your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: 3 hours, returning to Drysdale.
Minimum age: 12 years. There are no children's menus or fares.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and lactose-free meals with notice when you book. Dislikes and last-minute changes can't be catered for.
Suits: Couples, friends and food lovers. The carriages are over 50 years old: there is a small step to board, ramps at every door, and a slim wheelchair fits in the Q Class carriage if arranged ahead. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Please note: Q Class tables seat 2, 4 or 6, and tables can't be joined. No outside food or alcohol. Each carriage has a toilet.

What to bring

Smart casual clothes
Flat, enclosed shoes

What is included

Three-hour return rail journey from Drysdale to Queenscliff on the historic Bellarine Railway
Five-course seasonal degustation
A drink on arrival (local lager, local bubbly or non-alcoholic fruit punch)
Table service by professional wait staff
A seat at a table in a Q Class dining carriage

Not included

Other drinks (sold on board; cash, EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard accepted)
Wine matching (not available in Q Class)
Steam locomotive surcharge on steam weekends
Ferry or shuttle transport to Drysdale (not listed as included in this booking)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A faultless day. We took the ferry from Docklands, our driver Mark met us at Portarlington and took us to the train at Drysdale, where we started with a glass of wine. Then came a delicious five-course meal as the train wound its way to Queenscliff, with friendly, professional staff.

Cathy Moloney Verified· Travelled 25th October 2026

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(5/5)

A memorable day, starting with the ferry from Docklands and a transfer to the train. The staff greeted us cheerfully with clear instructions and a welcome drink, and the food was amazing.

Margaret Charles Verified· Travelled 3rd September 2026

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(5/5)

We surprised my brother for his 40th with this. The ferry and shuttle bus were easy to organise and kept the secret, and the train team handled my pregnancy dietary needs without fuss. Welcome drinks, very friendly staff and food that was substantial and delicious.

Anushka Ellawala Verified· Travelled 20th August 2026

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