Rail Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$144
per adult
The Q Train
The Q Train
4.5
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Saturday
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Full view
About
Dining on board The Q Train is a unique culinary experience. A restaurant on board a train, departing from the historic Drysdale Train Station, and travelling along the picturesque Bellarine Railway. Showcasing food, wine, beer and cider from the local regions.
Tours and Tickets by The Q Train
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Rail Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$199
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
253 reviews
Excellent
214
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Jenny D
Eaglemont, Australia804 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
I was looking for something special to do for a special anniversary. Then I remembered that I had read about The Q Train. I’m so pleased that I did as we had a fabulous time. From the time that we arrived at the siding and were given a friendly and happy greeting to the time that we were wished a friendly goodbye, the experience was exemplary.
We had a room to ourselves where we were able to indulge on the superb food and wine - all locally sourced. The standout was the gin cured salmon. We also took advantage at the stop where we were able to get out, stretch our legs and chat with others aboard the train (who were equally impressed with the service and the trip).
This was such a nice way to celebrate a special day. Being able to leave Melbourne and enjoy a relaxing trip with ample food and wine was so worth doing.
One tip - if departing from Drysdale, it would pay you to get transport to and from the train, so both partners can fully enjoy the experience.
We had a room to ourselves where we were able to indulge on the superb food and wine - all locally sourced. The standout was the gin cured salmon. We also took advantage at the stop where we were able to get out, stretch our legs and chat with others aboard the train (who were equally impressed with the service and the trip).
This was such a nice way to celebrate a special day. Being able to leave Melbourne and enjoy a relaxing trip with ample food and wine was so worth doing.
One tip - if departing from Drysdale, it would pay you to get transport to and from the train, so both partners can fully enjoy the experience.
Written 12 May 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.
Passport770265
11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We did the first class dinner and rail trip. Absolutely outstanding our waiter was spot on, the whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. Will do it again. The 7 course degustation menu along with wine or beer selection spot on.
Written 8 March 2020
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.
SallyandDale
Ballarat, Australia729 contributions
Nov 2021
A group of 8 of us did a First Class Dinner departing from Queenscliff. We had an amazing time. The meal was delicious with well paired wine. Liam, our waiter, was very knowledgeable and so much fun. We felt so at home in our own compartment and were very well looked after. All of us had an absolute ball. Thank you The Q Train for helping us to make memories.
Written 14 November 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.
mrschooko5
Ocean Grove, Australia16 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
What could have been a great experience, was let down by the food.
The samosa contained only meat.
On the menu the fish course was to be ‘Fresh fish roasted and served with a medley of local vegetables, topped with a vibrant native lemongrass Asian fusion sauce.’ What was actually served to us was fish in an underwhelming mild coconut curry sauce, on a bed of uninspiring coleslaw.
The wait staff could not be faulted - they provided great service.
Such a pity that the food did not deliver and disappointing that I will not be able to recommend this experience to visitors.
I just hope that the food issue can be resolved so that the Q train meets its brief of being a unique dining experience with great food and service.
The samosa contained only meat.
On the menu the fish course was to be ‘Fresh fish roasted and served with a medley of local vegetables, topped with a vibrant native lemongrass Asian fusion sauce.’ What was actually served to us was fish in an underwhelming mild coconut curry sauce, on a bed of uninspiring coleslaw.
The wait staff could not be faulted - they provided great service.
Such a pity that the food did not deliver and disappointing that I will not be able to recommend this experience to visitors.
I just hope that the food issue can be resolved so that the Q train meets its brief of being a unique dining experience with great food and service.
Written 13 February 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.
Matthew Z
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We booked the first class booth as the standard class was booked out. More expensive however worth it due to the matching wine or beer with each course. Plus your own private cabin to enjoy! Food was amazing and we were so full and a bit tipsy! The pork belly was the highlight!
Staff were super friendly and helpful and the experience was really enjoyable.
Great day out!
Staff were super friendly and helpful and the experience was really enjoyable.
Great day out!
Written 23 April 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.
Dear Matt & Sigi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience. We're so glad you loved our First Class experience - we all deserve to be spoiled every once in a while! Our pork belly is usually a favourite, and we're glad you found it delicious too!
Written 29 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue B
Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
Mar 2021
Not what I expected, lucky to have received as a gift waited 12 months due to Covid.
Each course as extremely small and every course was a cold dish.
I would have expected at least two courses to be a hot dish.
We had to stop on the way home for hot chips.
Having said that the service, wine and staff are excellent, enjoyed the train wonderful to see the community out welcoming the train as we passed.
Each course as extremely small and every course was a cold dish.
I would have expected at least two courses to be a hot dish.
We had to stop on the way home for hot chips.
Having said that the service, wine and staff are excellent, enjoyed the train wonderful to see the community out welcoming the train as we passed.
Written 23 March 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.
Dear Sue, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'm glad you enjoyed our local wine list, and that your found our service staff to be excellent. I'm so sorry that you didn't enjoy our autumn menu. We have updated our menu for winter, which includes a number of hot dishes, having taken on all the feedback we have received.
Written 29 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dplangau
Melbourne, Australia60 contributions
May 2022
We were given a gift voucher to travel on this train. We had a private compartment (not large). The idea is you have a De Gustation Meal 5 courses, either, assorted, vegetarian or vegan. If you like you can pay extra an have a matching Beer/cider/wider/mocktail with each course.. You then go on a 3 hour train trip from Drysdale to Queenscliff, at a very leisurely pace. Our vaiter Liam was a very pleasant and informative addition to the trip. He explained each course and the drinks matching the courses. Dessert was a real highlight, a Lemon meringue cheesecake, nothing like your normal cheesecake. The produce is all source locally including the drinks and the meal was finished of with locally roasted coffee.
Written 20 May 2022
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.
Travelfoodie2468
Jan Juc, Australia23 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Great atmosphere but fussy food lets it down. Change degustation to 3-4 decent courses and more table service offering wine. Had we not ordered a bottle before sitting down we wouldn’t have had a drink for awhile as the staff are too busy bringing out all the courses. Pork belly stand out dish though very small, mussels lost in a lack lustre salad and lamb bordering on raw and I like it rare. Half our group wouldn’t recommend to friends though half of us would. Fun experience but it needs simplifying combined with some delicious decent size meals. Staff could then spend much time more time focusing on tables and drinks. I really hope they get this right as it could be fantastic.
Written 14 November 2017
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.
Go183636
1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Friends
Having enjoyed a number of degustation menus I do not have unreasonable expectations.
However the portions were so small as to prevent any significant tasting of the elements. Goat’s cheese in the second course were nothing more than very small dots to secure the tomato pieces on the plate. The duck salad had one thin piece of duck the size of a postage stamp, in each of the four serves on our table. The belly pork was was well cooked. The other dishes were unremarkable and forgettable. The fellow guest behind me complained about the size of the serves.
The train’s fit out was basic at best and did not feel clean. No atmosphere in the carriage at all. The service was poor and there was no glass available for one guest’s beer.
To charge $120 per person for this amount of food and shabby envirnonment is nothing short of outrageous. I advise anyone considering this “adventure” to pack a magnifying glass to find the food served.
However the portions were so small as to prevent any significant tasting of the elements. Goat’s cheese in the second course were nothing more than very small dots to secure the tomato pieces on the plate. The duck salad had one thin piece of duck the size of a postage stamp, in each of the four serves on our table. The belly pork was was well cooked. The other dishes were unremarkable and forgettable. The fellow guest behind me complained about the size of the serves.
The train’s fit out was basic at best and did not feel clean. No atmosphere in the carriage at all. The service was poor and there was no glass available for one guest’s beer.
To charge $120 per person for this amount of food and shabby envirnonment is nothing short of outrageous. I advise anyone considering this “adventure” to pack a magnifying glass to find the food served.
Written 14 December 2018
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.
Rosemary W
St Leonards, Australia31 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We boarded the Q Train at Drysdale on 2nd February 2018. What an unique treat we were in for! The train, staff, food and wine all excellent. Loved all the Degustation Menu. We are locals so I was very happy everything is sourced around the Bellarine. It’s a train for adults not for children they would hate it.
Written 2 February 2018
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.
What class did you take with friends?
Written 7 January 2020
As there were four of us we didn't do first class as they only do cabins for two in first class. We loved having other people around as the banter was fun!
Written 8 January 2020
can i buy a voucher to go towards the Q train experience
Written 11 December 2019
No! $30 for a cocktail, give it a miss it is pathetic.
Written 29 July 2019
Agreed. there is only a small bench seat in first class. The table setting is small, and once laid out it takes up all the room. The first class meal is the same as the other meal but includes wine (which your child doesn't need). So if you are going, I would suggest the dining room would be a better option.
The trip itself is interesting for an adult, but for a child it would be boring and uneventful.
If your child is into trains, maybe you can meet the train at Drysdale and look at it when it is at the station, or alternatively look at the children's train option that goes along the same track, and does not include the meal.
Written 20 February 2019
HI I HAVE BOUGHT MY HUSBAND A GIFT VOUCHER FOR XMAS BUT I WANT TO ALSO BOOK ACCOMMODATION,
can anyone suggest where we would be better off staying for a couple of nights in which area close to where the train finishes after the evening.
Regards
Robyn
Written 11 December 2017
Drysdale House is a lovely B&B just across the street from Drysdale Station which may suit.
Written 13 September 2018
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