Name: Steam Train Experience - For 2
Price: 259.00 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (121 reviews)

Highlights

Ride on an authentic steam train
Wine and nibbles included
Go behind the scenes with the crew!

If you have a passion for steam trains then this experience gets you up close and personal. All the sights, sounds and atmosphere of an authentic steam train journey will take you back to another era when steam ruled the rails.

What's included?

First Class Return journey between Castlemaine and Maldon
Glass of wine and nibbles
Yourself or your partner ride with the crew for a section of the track
Full colour souvenir book

Your experience starts as you are welcomed aboard as a special guest of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Sit back and relax as you take a leisurely return journey from Castlemaine to Maldon on the former Victorian Railways Broad-Gauge Branchline linking the two historic goldfields towns. You will be provided with a glass of local wine and nibbles to enjoy on board our First Class Carriage. During the journey, you will enjoy an extra unique dimension of the steam train experience by riding with the crew on the locomotive on a section of the line. You will also receive a complimentary copy of our full colour souvenir book.

Important information

Session Length

Train journey lasts 45 minutes
Trains run on Sundays & Fridays (does not operate in Feb - Jan dates may be disel hauled)
The Sunday time table allows passengers to spend either 1 1/4 or 4 hours in Maldon. The Friday timetable will allow you to spend 2 1/2 hours in Maldon before returning. The train journey takes 45 minutes.
On Sundays the train will depart Castlemaine at 10.45am or 2.00pm, or depart Maldon at 12.45pm. On Fridays the train will depart at 11.30am

Restrictions

Please note we run with our Heritage Diesel engine for part of January each year due to possible fire restrictions.

Guidelines

The Cab Ride (Ride with the Driver) has a minimum age of 17 years for participants.

Trains run on Sundays & Fridays (does not operate during February) Please check our timetable options - https://www.vgr.com.au/goldfields-explorer-timetables to let us know your departure and return preferences.

Cancellation

Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Weather

Weather does not interfere with journey, except on days of extreme fire danger when a diesel loco substitutes for steam.

Dress Code

Sturdy shoes and long trousers are required if opting for the locomotive ride on the return journey.

Other Info

Please advise two alternative dates at the time of booking if your first preference isn't available. Please note all bookings are on request until the supplier is able to confirm your booking.

Location

This experience departs from Castlemaine VIC on Fridays, or from Castlemaine or Maldon on Sundays.

Reviews

4.8

121 reviews

5 stars 104

4 stars 16

3 stars 1

2 stars 0

1 star 0

Footplate Experience V.G.R.

terry 16 July 2026

really enjoyed the Footplate experience on Victorian Goldfields Railway.. Staff were amazing. Unfortunately, we can't pick the weather.

Loved the train

Karen 20 April 2026

We had a fab day on the steam train and were treated well. Maldon was great and has so much history. Would highly recommend this experience.

Customer Experience

Hi Karen, thanks so much for your valuable feedback. We are so happy to see you enjoyed your experience.

20 April 2026

A great experience

Sheryl 25 July 2024

Very enjoyable day with great service from the volunteers whilst enjoying a drink and cheese platter. Well worth paying the extra fee to experience the cab ride on the 1950s steam locomotive.

Customer Experience

Hi Sheryl, so pleased to see you enjoyed your Steam train experience, we appreciate the time you have taken to share your experience!

25 July 2024

Victorian Goldfields Railway excursion was awesome

Ron 26 June 2024

The journey from Castlemaine to Maldon by a steam hauled heritage train was wonderful. The recently restored steam engine and a footplate experience were fantastic. VGR volunteer staff were very friendly and attentive so as to ensure a memorable day.

Mya

Hi Ron, thank you for your kind feedback. We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your experience!

27 June 2024

Steam train experience

Payricia 25 June 2024

The staff were fantastic and my husband and I had the greatest day. My husband enjoyed riding in the train engine and we were treated like royalty❤️❤️❤️❤️

Keerat

Hi Payricia, we're thrilled to hear you had a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing your positive feedback with us!

25 June 2024

Steam Train Experience for 2: Exhilarating.

Janet 24 March 2020

We had the most amazing day travelling from Castlemaine to Maldon and return on a J Class Steam Loco. I cannot thank the Golden Railways team enough for their hospitality. What an enthusiastic team of Volunteers, from booking this experience to the travel itself. We were well and truly catered for. Thank you for the foot plate experience this is Mind Blowing for a steam enthusiast and also the cheese and biscuits and drinks. We travelled in luxury and many great stories were shared. This is a truly magnificent day out. Highly recommend. WooHoo !!!!!!!!

Castlemaine to Maldon pulled by a GVR Steam Loco.

Arthur 8 April 2019

A most enjoyable journey for both my wife and myself. I had a remarkable experience riding on the Loco footplate for one stage. First class carriage very comfortable together with a friendly hostess who arranged a cheese platter and wine.

Unforgettable experience for steam train buffs

Ross 21 March 2019

Great trip thru Vic goldfields at leisurely pace for 45 mins over the 17 km route from Castlemaine to Maldon. Time allowed there for lunch then return journey taken. Go first class for the luxury of the art deco carriages. Also for the keen explorer, get the additional option to ride with the driver up front. Unique experience.

Fantastic train experience

Jane 19 November 2018

We had a fantastic time riding the rails with this voucher. The train was beautiful, the ride relaxing and the cheese platter was delicious.

Fantastic experience

Russell 8 October 2018

Great day out on train from Castlemaine to Maldon return. On the forward journey I had the pleasure of experiencing the footplate of the engine,watching the the workings and complexity of running a steam locomotive. Being able to talk to the driver and fireman was great as a great many questions were answered. The ride in the cabin was completely different to that experienced in a carriage - a lot bumpier! The return journey was enjoyable for different reasons - sitting in a fabulously restored Pullman carriage with nibbles and a drink was a great end to the day.