Queenscliff: Dining on The Q Train
We’ve done plenty of dinners out over the years. Few of them move at 40 kilometres an hour through saltmarsh and farmland.
The first time we boarded The Q Train, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. A degustation menu on a heritage train running between Queenscliff and Drysdale sounded slightly theatrical. It turned out to be one of the most quietly impressive food experiences we’ve had in regional Victoria.
The train itself is part of the Bellarine Railway, and on the various days we travelled, we were lucky enough to be hauled by steam. Proper steam that hisses and breathes, making the whole platform feel cinematic before you’ve even taken your seat.
Once underway, the pace settles. The Bellarine Peninsula rolls past in wide paddocks and low coastal light. Inside, it’s polished timber, linen, attentive service and the slow rhythm of courses arriving as the landscape changes.
The food is the headline act. Local produce, beautifully plated, genuinely restaurant-quality, not “good for a novelty train,” just good, full stop. We’ve done it twice now, and both times the menu felt thoughtful rather than gimmicky.
And for anyone wondering: yes, you can swap the wine pairing for non-alcoholic options. Cameron doesn’t drink, and the alternative pairings were excellent. Not an afterthought, but carefully matched and equally considered. It made the whole experience feel inclusive rather than exclusive.
There’s something slightly surreal about eating a beautifully composed dish while farmland glides past the window. You’re moving, but you’re also unhurried. It’s slow travel in the most literal sense.
Before or after the journey, we usually wander Queenscliff itself with its heritage streets, sea air, and slightly faded coastal elegance, which we always enjoy. At the Drysdale end, the countryside feels entirely different again. Same line, different mood.
It’s not cheap. It’s not rushed. And that’s exactly the point.
What is The Q Train?
The Q Train is a moving restaurant operating along the historic Bellarine Railway between Queenscliff and Drysdale on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.
Guests dine in restored heritage carriages while travelling a 16km return journey through farmland and coastal landscapes. The experience includes multi-course dining with optional beverage pairings.
How to get there
The train departs from Queenscliff Station, about 90 minutes from Melbourne via Geelong. It pairs easily with a Bellarine Peninsula weekend, including Portarlington, Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale. Bookings are essential.
What to expect
• Multi-course seasonal degustation menu
• Optional wine or non-alcoholic beverage pairing
• Heritage carriages with individual dining compartments
• Steam locomotive departures on select dates
• A 3–4 hour relaxed dining experience
When to visit
The Q Train operates year-round with seasonal menus. Cooler months feel cosy inside the carriages. Summer evenings offer long light across the paddocks. Steam services run on selected dates, so check ahead if that’s high on your list.
Final Thoughts
We’ve travelled plenty of kilometres chasing food. This is one of the few times the journey genuinely elevated the meal. It’s indulgent without being flashy. Regional without being rustic. And if you’re doing the Bellarine, it’s a memorable way to spend an afternoon or evening.
Sometimes the best table isn’t stationary.
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Fast Facts
Location: Queenscliff–Drysdale, Bellarine Peninsula, VIC
Distance: 90 minutes from Melbourne
Traditional Owners: Wadawurrung People
Access: Bookings essential
Facilities: Toilets on board, accessible options available
Walking Track: N/A
Best Time to Visit: Year-round (check steam dates)
Dog Friendly: No
Things That Could Kill You (Probably Won’t)
A semi-serious guide to surviving Australia. Mostly common sense, occasionally luck.
Overeating. Pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Steam nostalgia. Standing too close for the perfect photo might earn you a face full of soot.
Wine pairing enthusiasm. Or the non-alcoholic equivalent. Either way, you’re not driving the train, but you are heading home afterwards.
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