Daylesford Spa Country Railway
Daylesford Spa Country Railway
4.5
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4.5
66 reviews
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roy v
Traralgon, Australia5,935 contributions
Feb 2021
While in the area for a few days we came to Daylesford for the market and the train ride that go well hand in hand.
The volunteers do a great job to keep this train ride going , it was only a short ride to Musk through some bush and open farmland, ten minutes to stretch the legs at Musk, nothing there only a sign and tin shelter shed then back to Daylesford to the market for lunch , lovely little jaunt on a ole historic train .
It was good to see once we got off the train the volunteers were giving the carriages a good Covid clean, still important to follow the regulations that now have this state nearly Covid free
The volunteers do a great job to keep this train ride going , it was only a short ride to Musk through some bush and open farmland, ten minutes to stretch the legs at Musk, nothing there only a sign and tin shelter shed then back to Daylesford to the market for lunch , lovely little jaunt on a ole historic train .
It was good to see once we got off the train the volunteers were giving the carriages a good Covid clean, still important to follow the regulations that now have this state nearly Covid free
Written 3 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HahnTravels
Liverpool, Australia1,290 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Was raining in town and the markets were a bit shot. Decided to go to Daylesford railway station for a ride along to Bullarto and glad I did. Slow, nostalgic trip through the forest, a living museum. Thanks to the volunteers. Bullarto station is great too - currently constructing a new station building. Clean carriages, good value at $22 return with old time ticket issued.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,672 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Every Sunday you can travel on a restored 1950's railcar along a 9km route through the Central Victorian Highlands between Daylesford & Bullarto. The journey takes 30 minutes each way and costs $15 return. There are four services, the first one at 10.45am. The last service of the day only goes as far as Musk, a station midway along the route.
Daylesford station is heritage listed and was built in 1882. There is a small selection of railway memorabilia inside. Bullarto station dates to 1887 and is the highest station in Victoria at 2452ft above sea level. Conductors stamp your ticket along the route and you will get the best view of the track up ahead if you sit near the driver.
Daylesford station is heritage listed and was built in 1882. There is a small selection of railway memorabilia inside. Bullarto station dates to 1887 and is the highest station in Victoria at 2452ft above sea level. Conductors stamp your ticket along the route and you will get the best view of the track up ahead if you sit near the driver.
Written 31 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion1616
Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
Took a trip on the restored train, 10 minutes each way. Nice way to spend a bit of time, got to see some of the farmland behing Daylesford. All the children on the train, and there seems to be a lot of them, had a great time.
Tip - gets very cold, need water and wind proof wear if you are to be doing any outdoor activity in winter/autumn
Tip - gets very cold, need water and wind proof wear if you are to be doing any outdoor activity in winter/autumn
Written 22 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CGT867
Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Even though it was a cold day we stepped into the Railcar which was nicely heated. With our tickets we were given a brochure which described the history of the line and what we would see along the way. Leaving Daylesford station we traversed farmland before climbing into the hills. The line then travelled through the forest and passed through the wayside station of Musk before arriving at the current terminus of Bullarto (now the highest station in Victoria). The pleasant station sits in a pretty forest clearing and is very picturesque. A short stop here to stretch our legs before returning to Daylesford. The preservation group have managed to preserve this line as a typical example of the many branch lines run by the Victorian Railways and which now have sadly all been closed.
Written 9 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victorianlad
Melbourne, Australia17,466 contributions
This volunteer tourist railway is not lengthy (trips take only 25 minutes each way) but the Bullarto terminus is Victoria's current highest railway station, and hence occasionally receives snow.
The railway has an extensive yard (tracks) remaining at Daylesford, complete with turntable. Until the 1950s Daylesford was a junction station for trains to Creswick/ Ballarat, and Woodend, but then only the Woodend branch line remained before closure in 1978.
The tourist trains run on Sundays and are normally one of three different types of railcars the Society has. Each time I travel, I receive an old-style Edmondson cardboard ticket which is dated using the dater (a press.)
The volunteers are helpful and friendly and the lovely brick station building at Daylesford attractive: the rural charm of Bullarto station adds to the atmosphere.
The railway has an extensive yard (tracks) remaining at Daylesford, complete with turntable. Until the 1950s Daylesford was a junction station for trains to Creswick/ Ballarat, and Woodend, but then only the Woodend branch line remained before closure in 1978.
The tourist trains run on Sundays and are normally one of three different types of railcars the Society has. Each time I travel, I receive an old-style Edmondson cardboard ticket which is dated using the dater (a press.)
The volunteers are helpful and friendly and the lovely brick station building at Daylesford attractive: the rural charm of Bullarto station adds to the atmosphere.
Written 14 June 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ash_lmc
Port Hedland, Australia29 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
We felt so spoilt by the staff who made sure we were never without a drink or appetiser on the train. We booked this as a pre-dinner nibbles and drinks experience, however we didn't need our dinner reservation afterwards as we had been so well fed!!! A full dinner was provided at the Bullarto stop, in a beautiful country setting amongst gorgeous tall trees. The food was delicious and the service 5-star. With all-you-could eat and drink we didn't want for a thing! Outstanding value!
Written 9 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smell40
Gawler20 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
we went to the Sunday market at the station, which was great then took a trip on the old railway. We loved it, the scenery was breathtaking and the ride on this old train from Wigan, UK was just wonderful.
Written 11 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin_Willis
32 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
A beautiful way to spend 2-3 hours. Come for the markets, then catch the train which takes an hour round trip. After it returns, have some lunch. It is an incredibly cute and romantic way to spend some time.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iarnan K
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
This Railway is a well managed affair. I have visited about one dozen times since they first set up on the abandoned Carlsruhe to Daylesford Railway in 1980.
The Railway is VERY customer friendly. It is situated in a perfect location at Daylesford with so many attractions and accommodation. There is a Sunday Market outside the Railway Station building which attracts dozens and dozens of stalls including great food.
The Railway itself is modest in length to keep operating costs sensible and journey times for the public within tolerance of adults and children alike.
The speciality of the operation is the State's most extensive collection of railway "Rail Motors". These are self propelled (usually) single carriage trains specially built for low cost branch line service. The DSCR has just one locomotive, an EMD (General Motors) model G6-B No.159 (a.k.a. Victorian Railways "Y" class). As a railwayman of 30 years experience I believe this engine has the finest paint finish of ANY preserved diesel locomotive in Victoria and was done on site by just three volunteers.
The Railway has all three varieties of "Walker" Railcar from the 1950's, 2 restored and I to complete. They also have the only operational "Tulloch" car in the State. There's all kinds of treasures, a "Dodge" rail (motor) car being restored, a 100 H.P. "Leyland" Rail Motor that is being lovingly restored for over 20 years.
However, the piece de resistance is a GENUINE Electro Motive Company of Cleveland Ohio D.E.R.M. Rail Motor that was built at Newport Workshops in December 1930 with a Winton Gasoline engine. This car had 2 x GM Series 6-71 engines installed in 1952/53 to replace the Winton and extend the life of the car. The D.E.R.M. was retired from V/Line in 1991 after 61 years' service.
This particular train, believe it or not, was the "jump" or "cross-over" from the steam locomotive to modern diesel electric locomotives worldwide. The giant locomotives hauling iron ore in the Pilbara in W.A. are direct decedents of the little train 63RM as are the diesel-electric locomotives crossing the permafrost from Qinghai Province in China to Lhasa in Tibet! True! All decedent from this amazing little red and silver-striped carriage.
Only about 15 of these little trains survive worldwide with about 5 or 6 operational.
Speak to the Railway's Manager Stuart or the Charters Manager Jenny about a regular trip or a special charter for whatever occasion. Workshop tours are sometimes available free of charge if pre-arranged although I suggest a gratuity or donation to the railway for this special service. Ask for James for the Workshop tour.
If you've been to Puffing Billy, you have not yet experienced everything in Tourist Railways in Victoria! Try the Railway at Daylesford; you will NOT be disappointed.
The Railway is VERY customer friendly. It is situated in a perfect location at Daylesford with so many attractions and accommodation. There is a Sunday Market outside the Railway Station building which attracts dozens and dozens of stalls including great food.
The Railway itself is modest in length to keep operating costs sensible and journey times for the public within tolerance of adults and children alike.
The speciality of the operation is the State's most extensive collection of railway "Rail Motors". These are self propelled (usually) single carriage trains specially built for low cost branch line service. The DSCR has just one locomotive, an EMD (General Motors) model G6-B No.159 (a.k.a. Victorian Railways "Y" class). As a railwayman of 30 years experience I believe this engine has the finest paint finish of ANY preserved diesel locomotive in Victoria and was done on site by just three volunteers.
The Railway has all three varieties of "Walker" Railcar from the 1950's, 2 restored and I to complete. They also have the only operational "Tulloch" car in the State. There's all kinds of treasures, a "Dodge" rail (motor) car being restored, a 100 H.P. "Leyland" Rail Motor that is being lovingly restored for over 20 years.
However, the piece de resistance is a GENUINE Electro Motive Company of Cleveland Ohio D.E.R.M. Rail Motor that was built at Newport Workshops in December 1930 with a Winton Gasoline engine. This car had 2 x GM Series 6-71 engines installed in 1952/53 to replace the Winton and extend the life of the car. The D.E.R.M. was retired from V/Line in 1991 after 61 years' service.
This particular train, believe it or not, was the "jump" or "cross-over" from the steam locomotive to modern diesel electric locomotives worldwide. The giant locomotives hauling iron ore in the Pilbara in W.A. are direct decedents of the little train 63RM as are the diesel-electric locomotives crossing the permafrost from Qinghai Province in China to Lhasa in Tibet! True! All decedent from this amazing little red and silver-striped carriage.
Only about 15 of these little trains survive worldwide with about 5 or 6 operational.
Speak to the Railway's Manager Stuart or the Charters Manager Jenny about a regular trip or a special charter for whatever occasion. Workshop tours are sometimes available free of charge if pre-arranged although I suggest a gratuity or donation to the railway for this special service. Ask for James for the Workshop tour.
If you've been to Puffing Billy, you have not yet experienced everything in Tourist Railways in Victoria! Try the Railway at Daylesford; you will NOT be disappointed.
Written 21 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Do the vintage trains run over the summer school holidays or only on Sundays?
Written 28 December 2015
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