Victoria’s Heritage Railways

As we’ve travelled the night under steam, passing through Maryborough and crossing the Ironbark forests of the Victorian Goldfields, you’ll awake to the sun rising over the vast plains of the Mallee while The Grainlander steams its way north toward Wycheproof. Opening your cabin blinds, it will be immediately evident that you have awoken to a new world with the hustle and bustle of Melbourne replaced by the vastness of grain country.

At 7am, The Grainlander will pull into Wycheproof – one of the major centres of the Mallee region. After enjoying breakfast and a morning stroll, you’ll continue your rail journey to Sea Lake, complete with Barista-made coffee on board, as R707 steams up Wycheproof and travels north further into the Mallee towards Sea Lake – the end of the line!

We’ll stop in the small hamlet of Nullawil for the first off-train silo art experience of the weekend. Looming over the siding in Nullawil is artist Sam Bates’ work depicting the Kelpie sheep-dog Jimmy who often makes a cameo appearance in the flesh. Rejoin the train as it steams north across the plains, R707’s whistle being heard for kilometres around before arriving at Sea Lake. Once home to the Mallee Rally and a substantial salt mining operation, the town is the gateway to Lake Tyrrell and to the Mallee Silo Art Trail. After our arrival in Sea Lake, we’ll board coaches for the short journey to Lake Tyrrell – Victoria’s Inland Sea and likely a highlight of the weekend.

Returning to Sea Lake, visit the spectacular celebration of the still silence found in outback Victoria depicted on the town’s grain silos. Close by is the town of Woomelang, home to a number of mini-silos and the regionally famous Woomelang Hotel where we’ll join local publicans Graham and Lisa, who will put on an impressive spread for lunch. Leaving Woomelang, a short drive takes us to Rosebery to see silo art that captures the grit, tenacity and character of the region’s young female farmers, who regularly face drought, fires and other hardships living and working in the Mallee. In her work shirt, jeans and turned-down cowboy boots, this strong young lady symbolises the future for female sheep farmers in the region.

A further short drive takes us to Brim, home to the first silo to be painted in the region and the inspiration for the trail we are exploring today. Completed in early 2016 with limited financial resources, Melbourne artist Guido van Helten’s mural depicts an anonymous, multi-generational quartet of female and male farmers. Rendered across these four 1939-built GrainCorp silos, van Helten’s subjects bear expressions that exemplify the strength and resilience of the local farming community.

Our final silo visit today will be at Sheep Hills where we will enjoy a sparkling wine reception with Adnate’s silo art depiction of indigenous elders and their children as a spectacular backdrop. After a glass of bubbly beneath our last silo art installation, enjoy dinner at a quintessential country pub followed by a night of restful sleep as the train remains stabled in the town.

Overnight: The Grainlander steam train (B, L, D)

Awake to another Mallee sunrise and enjoy breakfast in the dining car, and, if you’re interested, join our off-train option of ascending to the summit of Mt. Wycheproof – Australia’s smallest mountain. At 10am, The Grainlander’s whistle will sound, and our train will set off south. Settle into a relaxing day of slow rail travel as the Mallee melts into the Ironbark forest and undulating countryside of the Goldfields region.

A locally sourced lunch will be served onboard as the train passes through the Ironbarks of the Goldfields before The Grainlander makes a short stop at the historic station in Maryborough to service the locomotive. There’ll be a bit of time here for a walk up to town if you’d like to stretch your legs and soak up the atmosphere.

Departing Maryborough, settle in for the final afternoon aboard as The Grainlander steams through Ballarat and over the ranges towards Melbourne. Afternoon tea, featuring fresh scones from the Broadway Bakery in Wycheproof is served in the lounge cars as the train speeds along the main Ballarat – Melbourne line.

After a spectacular view of Melbourne, we speed through the suburbs to Southern Cross Station where our train will arrive and terminate at 6pm.

Transfer to the nearby Savoy Hotel for check in before an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Savoy Hotel, Melbourne (B, L)

After breakfast, we’ll travel by vehicle over the iconic West Gate Bridge for a private tour of the Newport Railway Museum, home to the largest collection of steam locomotives of the former Victorian Railways, many of which were built at the adjacent Newport Railway Workshops. The collection includes the ‘Mitta Mitta’, an Art Deco stainless-steel 1939 buffet car, the ‘Torrens’, a 1907 sleeping car with its intricate Art Nouveau timberwork and pressed metal ceilings, and the 264 tonne express passenger locomotive ‘Heavy Harry’, built in 1941 and the largest locomotive ever built in Australia, and a number of diesel and electric locomotives, electric suburban carriages, country and interstate passenger carriages and freight wagons.

We’ll then travel via the Williamstown Foreshore to tour the heritage-registered steam ship, the HMAS Castlemaine to see how crews lived and worked during wartime, witness the original engines turning over, and experience Australian maritime history in their Museum. HMAS Castlemaine, named for the city of Castlemaine, Victoria, was one of 60 Bathurst-class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially crewed and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy.

Travel onto the bohemian Smith Street in Collingwood to enjoy lunch at the unique Easey’s, which serves food three stories up in rooftop train carriages, rusting and tatted with street art, but very cool and one of a kind! Easeys’ three Hitachi train car restaurants belong to a 153 motor carriage which started service in 1978 and ran on Melbourne’s Pakenham and Dandenong lines. These Stainless Steel trains, known as “Silvers”, were built at the Newport Railway Workshops in 1972 and started the phase out of the 1950s built Harris trains, which were known as “Blueys” due to blue asbestos. These “Silvers” trains, with their pull down windows, changed the face of commuter transport in Melbourne but were phased out in 2014 in favour of more modern, air conditioned carriages.

After your quirky and vintage luncheon experience, we’ll travel to the suburb of Hawthorn, where we’ll enjoy a privately guided tour of the Melbourne Tram Museum and visit the heritage-listed Hawthorn Tram Depot. Since 1885, Melbourne has been one of the world’s great tramway cities and the museum, now recognised as the most authentic tramway museum in Australia, was opened in 2023. On arrival, you’ll be met by one of the museum’s knowledgeable volunteers and be taken on a journey through the history of Melbourne’s iconic trams and their influence on the development of the city. View 20 fully-restored trams from yesteryear, including Melbourne’s oldest surviving electric tramcar, the Karachi W11 tram, decorated by Pakistani artisans for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, as well as classic W-class trams.

Return to the CBD by local tram and journey on an iconic 1920s vintage tram for part of the City Circle route, serviced by heritage W class trams decorated in special maroon and green with yellow and gold trimming, before going on to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: The Savoy Hotel, Melbourne (B, L, D)

This morning we’ll head through western Gippsland by coach past the infamous stacks at the imposing Yallourn Power Station, the largest open cut coal mine in Australia. For many years coal was moved from the mine to the power station by the Yallourn narrow gauge electric railway. The railway closed in 2001, and a number of wagons were acquired by the Walhalla Goldfields Railway and regauged for their use. Arrive in Walhalla at midday and enjoy lunch at the Walhalla Goldfields Railway Goods Shed Cafe, located right on the platform.

After lunch, enjoy a privately charter ride on the narrow gauge Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Opened in 1910 as the fourth and last narrow gauge railway in Victoria, the railway was expected to be a boon for Walhalla, which was in a state of decline with gold mining operations becoming uneconomical. After the closure of the Walhalla goldmines, substantial timber traffic was carried from nearby saw-mills but goods and passenger traffic slowed and the railway finally closed in 1954. Your train journey on a Kasey locomotive travels over six large trestle bridges that criss-cross Stringers Creek Gorge, past colourful spring wildflowers, downhill across the historic Thomson River Bridge to Thomson Station before travelling back to Walhalla Station.

After your train journey, you’ll be guided through this sleepy mountainside town to see the lovingly restored town centre full of heritage buildings, before learning about the tough lives of miners while touring the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine. Spend some time at the historic The Corner Stores and Museum Walhalla and check into your hotel.

In mid-2023, the ABC aired an episode of Back Roads with Heather Ewart filmed entirely in  Walhalla, and with its movie-set looks, the international film industry also took notice. Hollywood star Liam Neeson filmed a part of his latest film, Ice Road 2, in Walhalla for three weeks in January 2024 when the town was transformed into a Nepalese village. Locals say it’s arguably the biggest name to visit Gippsland since Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954!

Enjoy dinner at your hotel, and for something a little spookier, take part in a ghost tour to hear myths of ghosts and tales of tragedies which are symbolic of the long-forgotten gold-rush town’s captivating, but sombre history.

Overnight: Star Hotel, Walhalla (B, L, D)

This morning, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through mountains and valleys, via Yarra Junction to the Yarra Valley.

Travel through amazing scenery and rolling vineyards and past award winning wineries of St Hubert’s Estate and Rochford Estate, and the hamlet of Gruyere, a village often referred to as the “Toorak of the Yarra Valley” to your hotel – the Balgownie Estate, an award winning vineyard, hotel, bar and restaurant, cellar door and spa property.

Travel to the iconic De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate for lunch in their vineyard restaurant, with its gorgeous views and authentic Italian pasta and risotto (wine or beer is optional today!)

Check into your hotel and travel to Healesville for a ride on a privately chartered train on the Yarra Valley Railway. Opened in 1889, the railway once included 3 kilometres of trestle bridges over the Yarra River floodplains and a long timber viaduct with 502 openings near Yarra Glen. You’ll start your journey at the heritage listed Healesville station, and ride on a ‘Walker’ rail motor, number 22RM. The rail motor started its life with the Victorian Railways in 1948 and has been lovingly restored by the volunteer team at the Yarra Valley Railway. You’ll travel through the Healesville station yard seeing historic rolling stock and the Goods Shed, before continuing across the Healesville-Kinglake Road crossing towards Tarrawarra Tunnel.

After your ride, enjoy sunset drinks at Yering Station Winery overlooking the gorgeous Yarra Ranges. With vines first planted in 1838, Yering Station is proudly known as Victoria’s first vineyard. Return to your hotel where you’ll enjoy an unforgettable three course dinner, in the hotel’s award winning restaurant.

Overnight: Balgownie Estate, Yarra Valley (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Why not enjoy a spectacular dawn hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the picturesque Yarra Valley as the sun rises. The cost is $350 per person and you’ll need to let your Tour Leader know at the Welcome Dinner on Day 1 of the tour so we can make the necessary arrangements.    

This morning, we’ll travel by road to the Kerrisdale Mountain Railway and steam museum located at the foot of the Tallarook Ranges. We’ll take the short train journey on the 610 mm railway to ‘Summit Station’ to marvel at the panoramic views of the Upper Goulburn Valley and beyond before having free time to enjoy a cuppa overlooking the valley and/or wander through the steam museum, locomotive sheds and railway workshop.

Back on the coach, we’ll travel to the nearby town of Alexandra to ride on the privately chartered Alexandra Timber Tramway. While gold mining was the catalyst for the development of the town in the late 19th century, it was the timber industry that played a major role in the economic development of Victoria, with Alexandra being home to several large timber mills, especially during the 20th century. By the late 19th century the magnificent stands of prime timber in the Rubicon Forest was well known, but little could be done to exploit this without an efficient form of transport. In 1907, the first sawmill was built, as was a 1029 mm gauge wooden-railed tramway out of the forest and down to the river flats below. The railway to Alexandra arrived as a branch line of the Mansfield railway line in 1909, and closed in 1978.

After enjoying a ride on the tramway, we’ll tour the railway museum which displays a number of significant pieces of timber machinery, including the rail tractors, once used to haul timber, before enjoying lunch at the heritage Alexandra Hotel.

Continue north through yet more scenic countryside past the town of Bonnie Doon (made famous by the movie “The Castle”) to Mansfield. Travel along the scenic Mansfield – Tolmie – Whitfield Road and follow in the footsteps of Ned Kelly and continue through the picturesque King Valley in Victoria’s High Country, where dynamic Italian migrant families established wineries that continue to innovate through the generations. It doesn’t really feel like country Victoria – you could be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to the picturesque hills of northern Italy! Continue your journey along “Prosecco Road”, a sensational food and wine trail celebrating the best of the rustic Italian dining experience.

There is a link between this region and Melbourne’s famous Puffing Billy Railway. In 1897 the Victorian Railways accepted the tender from the Baldwin Locomotive Work, Philadelphia, for narrow-gauge locomotives of the ‘A’ Class, and the first two to be received were placed on the Whitfield/Wangaratta line construction project. Thus the line has the distinction of being the first narrow-gauge line to be built in Victoria in 1899 (Puffing Billy opened in 1900). Some of the whistle stop name-boards such as Pieper, Jarrott, Dwyer, Claremont and Angleside can still be seen along the route north to Moyhu, and we’ll stop off at one or two en route to Bright.

The historic riverside town of Bright, located in Victoria’s High Country, will be our base for the next two nights. Renowned for its picture-perfect tree-lined streets, mountain views, local food and wine, boutique stores and markets, Bright is a great place to unwind for a few days. Check into your hotel and dine at a popular restaurant in town with your fellow travellers.

Overnight: Bright Colonial Motel, Bright (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll visit the former Bright Railway Station, beautifully preserved and now operating as a local history museum. The now closed station operated from 1890 until 1983 but sadly went the way of so many other country railway stations in the big overhaul of rail infrastructure in the 1980’s. Although trains no longer run from the township, the 95 km ‘Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail’, which travels the same route that train passengers would have travelled via the townships of Myrtleford, Beechworth and Wangaratta, is considered to be the best bicycle rail trail in Australia.

After completing our tour, you’ll have some free time for lunch before we head west to the pretty tourist town of Myrtleford, a village brimming with life. Take a trip through Japan, Morocco and India as you wander through a mixture of hand picked antiques, artisan crafted goods and recycled items at the Moroccan bazaar of Myrtleford’s Red Ramia Trading.

Later, follow the scenic mountain route to Mt Beauty with views of Victoria’s highest mountain Mt Bogong at 1,986 metres and Mt Beauty village from both the Tawonga Gap and Sullivans lookouts. Nestled in the fertile Kiewa Valley at the foot of Mt Bogong, Mt Beauty is a hub for visiting adventurers and home to local farms, wineries and breweries.

We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon where the evening is at leisure, leaving you free to explore the many excellent varieties of places to eat in Bright.

Overnight: Bright Colonial Motel, Bright (B)

This morning after breakfast and check out, our coach will take us west for a journey along the scenic Great Alpine Road, stopping in at the famous Beechworth Bakery in the former gold mining town of Beechworth, where you can purchase tea and cake for mid morning tea.

Then it’s on to Glenrowan, famous for being the place of Ned Kelly’s last stand and ultimate capture in 1880. You’ll visit the immersive and interactive Ned Kelly Museum and Homestead, following the events of that fateful day, before taking a look at the Big Ned Kelly Statue. We then continue westward along the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail.

Our first stop is Goorambat, where we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Goorambat Railway Hotel, an historic hotel built in 1884. After lunch, we’ll visit the amazing exterior art at the Goorambat Uniting Church and the Goorambat silos before travelling to Devenish to see Tim Bowtell’s artworks on the town’s public toilet block and silos, paying tribute to those who served in World War 1.

It’s then onto St James, famous for being the home of the person who opened the first Coles store, Sir George Coles. Coles grew up in St James and took over the St James General Store from his father, expanding it to the empire it is today. We’ll see more of Tim Bowtell’s murals, paying tribute to this great entrepreneur, along with those depicting St James’ grain transport history.

We’ll then embark on the final leg to Seymour, our destination for tonight. Located at the southern end of the rich Goulburn Valley and home to the Puckapunyal Army Base, Seymour has always been a ‘railway town’.

There’s the option to enjoy a guided tour of the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, marvelling at over a century of rail history while learning about the preservation of their fleet of heritage rolling stock. Carriages and locomotives include royal and vice-regal cars, well known ‘E’ types and some that once featured on the iconic train ‘Spirit of Progress’.

After checking into our hotel, we’ll enjoy dinner at the historic Railway Club Hotel which is an old-school sports bar and bistro serving classic pub grub in a long-standing art deco building.

Overnight: Comfort Inn Coach & Bushmans, Seymour (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll travel, by coach down the Mornington Peninsula, a part of Victoria that has long been a favourite destination for coastal holidays, a chance to breathe in the fresh sea air and escape to the hinterland for gourmet delights at boutique wineries. In the late morning, you’ll reach the Moorooduc Railway Station to enjoy a ride on the historic Mornington Steam Railway, which runs on the Mornington Branch line, recreating the original Victorian Railways branch line operation. First opened in 1889, the line operated until 1989, before reopening as a heritage railway ten years later. You’ll travel on the restored heritage carriage, the mighty 110-year-old Steam Engine K163, and be transported to a bygone era of old-world charm and scenic beauty, as the train meanders through picturesque countryside, over rolling hills, winding its way through green pastures and charming small towns.

Upon arrival back at Moorooduc Station, we’ll enjoy lunch on the railway platform (or, if too wet and cold, in the railway carriage itself!) before travelling on to the iconic Cruden Farm in Langwarrin. This special property was left behind by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who once lived at, and managed the farm. Dame Elisabeth’s upbringing taught her to love gardens and the land, and as a young wife of the founder of the Murdoch media empire, Keith Murdoch, and a mother of four (one of which included Rupert), Elisabeth found herself running two large gardens in the region. Set on 133 acres, the beautiful garden and former working farm is a small piece of country in the middle of suburbia. The grounds consist of wondrous manicured gardens, emerald lawns, and peaceful walking areas set amongst interesting bushland around the lake and the lagoon. You’ll enjoy a private tour of the grounds, led by your hosts before reboarding our coach to check into your hotel. Enjoy some free time before travelling to a nearby seaside restaurant for dinner.

Overnight: Brooklands of Mornington, Mornington (B, L, D)

This morning, you will travel to Heronswood Gardens, home to the Diggers Foundation – Australia’s most respected gardening organisation, dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds and the best gardening traditions. These magnificent gardens showcase the best flowers and plants for Australian conditions, and are among the best gardens in the country. This breathtaking historic property is situated on two hectares of formal gardens and features the historic Heronswood House’s pool lawn, which is surrounded by stunning gardens and sea views of Port Phillip Bay. Enjoy a tour of the gardens and a stroll through Diggers nursery and gift shop to browse their large range of heirloom vegetables, flowers, and fruit plants for sale. You can unwind over a cup of tea at the historic 19th century Gothic Revival stonehouse, which is now home to the charming Fork to Fork restaurant.

Later, we’ll travel by coach past the up-market resort towns of Rosebud, Portsea and Sorrento and pause at the old world charm of the iconic 19th century Sorrento Hotel, a limestone building, standing proudly on the cliff tops overlooking the sparkling waters of Port Phillip Bay and enjoy lunch.

Moving on, travel to Portsea, home to the Portsea to Sorrento Millionaires Walk, a stunning cliff top walk. The views across Port Phillip Bay to the Bellarine Peninsula, Melbourne and Mount Dandenong are breathtaking. If you feel like taking a walk, you’ll get an insight into how Melbourne’s elite spend time at their summer mansions, and a chance to see where artists sat to paint some of Australia’s most iconic landscape paintings on the part of the walk that includes the Sorrento to Portsea Artists’ Trail.

Later, travel through the scenic wine region of the Mornington Peninsula to the pristine Jackalope vineyards to sample the local drop at their winery – Rare Hare Wines Cellar Door. Finally, travel via Arthurs Seat Lookout back down to the coast and to our hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Brooklands of Mornington, Mornington (B, L)

After breakfast, we’ll drive north to the Melbourne suburb of Belgrave, the departure point for the legendary Puffing Billy, Australia’s most popular heritage railway situated in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. Originally built in the early 1900’s as a low-cost 2’6” gauge line to service the local communities and timber industry, it was closed in stages in the 1950’s before being saved by dedicated volunteers and rail fans who strived to restore the line and the rolling Stock. Since the 1960’s it has been serving a huge role as one of Victoria’s most popular tourist attractions. Here we’ll get to experience a steam-hauled trip along the length of the character-filled narrow-gauge line. There will be an opportunity to visit the new Lakeside Centre as part of your excursion ticket before we enjoy lunch as a group at a local tea room restaurant.

Board Puffing Billy after lunch for your return journey to Belgrave before driving back to Melbourne. Freshen up at your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: The Savoy, Melbourne (B, L, D)

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. (B)