All aboard the Q Train
28 Aug 2018
Departing from Drysdale Station, the Q Train’s departure point is an easy, 60 minute drive from Melbourne.
Spying the handsome, eggshell blue Q Train waiting on the platform, I’m greeted by a friendly host. Taken aboard and shown my table, I feel like I’m in an old movie. The golden age of rail travel may have ended, but the Q Train is doing its best to resurrect it.
Comprised of historic carriages acquired from Queensland Rail (including a part of the old Sunlander service), the Q Train is a supreme example of how to repurpose old machinery and give it a new lease on life.
Wandering into the Club Loco Bar Car, it’s hard to believe such a stunning carriage was left in a state of disrepair at the Ipswich Railway Workshops for the best part of 15 years. Today, the Art-Deco-style carriage is full of people sipping local wine and laughing over cocktails.
With the original upholstery, brass work, stools and even the dancefloor retained, the bar car is a vintage revival masterpiece. The place where espresso martinis, margaritas and mojitos flow freely, it’s unsurprising that this carriage is busy throughout the entire journey.
The Q Train’s sophisticated degustation menu is a roll call of the region’s best producers. Beef from Sage Farm in Bannockburn, pork from Barongarook, mushrooms from Geelong, smoked trout from Drysdale, cider by Prickly Moses and wine by Lethbridge – the Q Train’s carefully crafted menu goes above and beyond to shine a light on the Geelong and Bellarine area’s talented farmers, growers, winemakers and brewers.
Preparing high-quality cuisine in a small, moving kitchen requires patience and ingenuity. Head chef Greg Egan runs a smooth operation, ensuring the culinary team are able to create a series of polished dishes for up to 80 diners located in both the Q Class shared area and First Class private sections.
Starting the meal with a soft boiled egg with chilli jam, ricotta, golden beets and snow peas, each course arrives elegantly via the well-drilled wait staff. As the journey unfolds the scenery turns from urban to rural. At one stage there are brilliant bay views on one side of the carriage, followed by the bucolic sight of cows grazing in green paddocks on the other side. Although it doesn’t really matter which side of the carriage your table is on – the Q Train moves slowly enough to take everything in.
Timed to perfection to coincide with breaks between courses, the platform stops give us all a chance to stretch our legs and admire the heritage stations that have been lovingly restored and maintained by the Bellarine Railway volunteers.
A completely different experience from the usual commuter crush associated with train rides in the city, a stroll along the Suma Park platform is a genteel affair.
Reboarding after the stop, a new course arrives at just the right time, every time, until we reach Queenscliff Station. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, Queenscliff Railway Station is a historic beauty built in the late 1800s. Complete with a vintage station clock and other throwback signage, it puts most modern train stations to shame.
Back aboard, we push off to head back to Drysdale. In a power move guaranteed to ensure diners leave on a happy note, the chef has saved the best for last. A dessert of chocolate and honey curd parfait with toasted sesame, candied citrus zest and pandan coconut gel is a fitting finale to the journey. As an ardent admirer of all things chocolate, today really is my lucky day.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR PROBIANS
One of Victoria's most exciting new dining experiences, The Q Train, is giving Probians the opportunity to enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining adventure at a specially discounted price.
On board the heritage train, you'll be seated in one of the refurbished Q Class carriages, where you'll enjoy a delicious six-course degustation lunch featuring local Bellarine produce. As the train travels towards Queenscliff and back, you'll enjoy gorgeous views of Swan Bay and surrounding areas. At the conclusion of the lunch, bus transportation will be provided back to Portarlington, linking you to the return ferry to Docklands.
To lock in your Sail, Rail and Dine experience, call The Q Train on 0474 969 309 and quote the code word Bellarine.
Must be booked by: September 16
Further details: https://www.theqtrain.com.au/port-phillip-ferries-sail-rail-dine/
Where: Port Phillip Ferries departs from and returns to Victoria Harbour, Docklands (directly opposite Etihad Stadium)
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