Frequently Asked Questions

​The Blues Train runs most Saturday nights between October and May, and some Friday nights during December. Please see the Show Dates page for shows on sale.

​Whilst we would love to operate a steam train on every show, it is at the discretion of the Bellarine Railway as to the type of engine that is used at any given time.

Generally a steam locomotive will be used if available, however due to the nature of heritage machinery mechanical issues, restoration and scheduled maintenance will impact on the ability to utilise steam.

On a day of total fire ban, a heritage diesel engine will be in operation.

Please note that should a diesel engine be used, no prior notification will be given and refunds do not apply.

All the locomotives and rolling stock used on The Blues Train is maintained by the dedicated volunteers of the Bellarine Railway.

For more information on the locomotives and rolling stock used on The Blues Train, to learn more about the Bellarine Railway, or to volunteer your services please visit www.bellarinerailway.com.au

You can wear whatever you like on the Blues Train!

Dress for a celebration or just wear your favourite old jeans.

It is important to note:

• Layers are recommended
• Secure, comfortable shoes will make your night more enjoyable!

Keep in mind that during the stops (three times during the event, when you change carriages, grab a drink, and use the toilets) you will be outdoors for about 15-20 minutes while our staff check and clean carriages.

Even on the coldest days, the carriages get quite warm and on the hottest days, the carriages can be very hot, as they are not air-conditioned. Layers are recommended! Please note that there is limited cover at Drysdale platform and almost none at Suma Park platform, so if it’s a rainy evening, waterproof jackets are a good idea.

✅ Evening Shows

• Gates open: 6:45 PM

• Train departs: 7:30 PM

• Returns: around 11:00 PM

✅ Day Shows

• Gates open: 12:30 PM

• Train departs: 1:15 PM

• Returns: around 4:45 PM

Subscription to The Blues Train VIP Members List is free, with a range of benefits available to members:

• 5% discount on any ticket purchase
• Group Booking discounts on groups of 10+
• Member presale, Artist Announcements, Special Offers & Blues Train Events

So what are you waiting for – Join now!

The Queenscliff Railway Station is located at 20 Symonds Street, Queenscliff at the intersection of Hesse Street (bottom of the main street).

There is ample parking in the grass area opposite the railway station adjacent to the brick community building.

Disability parking access is outside the main gate. Security staff can assist regarding parking location and any specific needs or assistance.

All vehicles are parked at the vehicle owners risk.

Coach and bus parking is available at the boat ramp after drop off.

The Blues Train departs and returns to the Queenscliff Railway Station located at 20 Symonds Street, Queenscliff VIC 3225 (on the corner of Hesse and Symonds Street, Queenscliff).

For a range of transport options, check out our transport page here

Click here to read our full terms and conditions for Gift Cards.

Standard Gift Cards are valid for 3 years.

Vouchers for Sponsored Partnerships are generally valid for the current Blues Train season.

Expiry dates are clearly printed on your card. Please redeem prior to your expiry date.

You DO NOT need to travel on The Blues Train by the expiry date printed on your gift card(s). HOWEVER, you MUST have redeemed your gift card for a specific show before the expiry date.

If you have a Blues Train Gift Card (see below), simply visit the Show Dates page, select your tickets and enter your redemption code in the box on checkout. The value on your gift card will be deducted from the total amount owing.

Group discounts will be automatically applied to your order when booking for 10 or more people.

Groups of 10+ receive a 5% discount and groups of 20+ receive a 10% discount. Book a whole carriage and you’ll also receive a merch pack valued at over $700!

Want to know more? Call our customer service team today! 1300 885 993

*Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

We encourage and even recommend that you bring individual cupcakes should you wish to celebrate with your guests.

If you plan to bring cupcakes for a birthday celebration, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly — either contact us or call 1300 885 993.

Please also note that the Blues Train is a fully licensed event and there is NO BYO.

Visit the Stay page for a range of accommodation providers in the area that work closely with us. Note: Accommodation is limited in peak season (ie. January) and Queenscliff Music Festival weekend.

You can check the Artist page for artists’ websites if you want to buy a CD of one of our fantastic Blues Train musos. Many artists offer a mail-order service from their websites.

Many of the musicians also have CDs for purchase on the night, please see the artist direct for CD/Merchandise purchases.

There is a range of Blues Train souvenirs available during the event, including Stubby Holders and Ice Buckets.

VICTORIAN, INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL ACTS:

The Blues Train aims to bring together all styles of blues and blues adjacent genres to an engaged audience who have gathered for the ultimate live music experience. We want our acts to provide high quality entertainment through a mix of original and cover songs. There is no blueprint for music, the theme is blues, but the assignment is fun!

Applications to perform on The Blues Train can be made via email to [email protected]

Please supply the following –

• Your EPK including links to your social media pages, quality youtube clips and other relevant materials for our consideration.
• Advise if you are a listed artist on Spotify and include link or reference.
• Tell us where you have been playing lately and/or regularly.
• Tell us what percentage of your performances are free to view and what percentage are ticketed events.
• Tell us where a Blues Train representative could come to see your next gig.

NOTE – All acts must have public liability insurance to be considered to play on The Blues Train.

Follow this link to read our Terms and Conditions

Security staff will be on site and are clearly identifiable.

The Blues Train provides safety ramps as a courtesy and they are available on each carriage, although this is not a prerequisite of railway operations, so you may need to mind the gap when embarking and disembarking. We have staff on all carriages during travel. Please ask for assistance from staff if required and follow their instructions.

View Terms and Conditions/Safety information

And finally, if your question hasn’t been answered here, please email us for an answer

We do have wheelchair access however mobility inside carriages can be limited, due to fixed seating and the width of door-ways as a result of the age of the train. There is a maximum of 1 wheelchair per carriage due to limited accessible spaces within the carriages.

The following are measurements of door and aisle widths of carriages used for The Blues Train:

• Carriage A
  Door: 0.65m wide
  Aisle: 0.4m wide
• Carriage B
  Door: 0.65m wide
  Aisle: 0.4m wide
• Carriage C
  Door: 0.65m wide
  Aisle: 0.4m wide
• Carriage D
  Door: 0.65m wide
  Aisle: 2.1m wide

Please get in contact with us on phone 1300 885 993, or email [email protected], or via our contact us page to let us know about your access requirements and we will do our very best to ensure you have an enjoyable Blues Train experience.

RAMPS – The Blues Train provides safety ramps as a courtesy for all patrons and these ramps are available on each carriage for use at each station, although this is not a prerequisite of railway operations.

ASSISTANCE BOARDING & DISEMBARKING – Please ask for assistance from our security personnel if required when boarding and disembarking from the train. Security personnel can also assist with your mobility needs while in the carriages.

COMPANION & CARER CARDS – For people who are accompanied by a companion or professional carer, we can organise a discount ticket for the accompanying carer (but not the person being accompanied). Information on this can be obtained by contacting us.

TOILETS – There are accessible toilets at all stops, however there are no toilets on the train. There is a 30 minute train ride between each stop. Please be aware, that the toilets at Drysdale Station are the public council toilets, and are located approximately 50m from the platform

The Blues Train is a licensed event, you must be 18 or over to attend. Photo ID is required to be produced upon request.

It is not suitable for babies or children of any age and/or people younger than 18 years of age will not be admitted.

Our inclusive drinks package means you can enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night without pulling out your wallet each time.

To keep things safe and fun for everyone, RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) limits apply — this means limits apply to how many drinks are served at each stop.

We kindly ask that you drink responsibly so the good times keep rolling for all.

Not anymore. We’ve simplified the experience so you can choose where and when you eat. There are plenty of great local spots in Queenscliff to enjoy a meal before or after your ride. Think of it as more flexibility, more flavour, and a chance to support local businesses.

Nibbles will be provided and made fresh by our friends at The Olive Pit in Ocean Grove.

Want something more before you ride? Dine in Queenscliff before the show at one of our local restaurant partners and make the most of your weekend. Find out more here.

Totally. Your ticket includes the full live music experience across four carriages, a rotating lineup of incredible blues & roots acts, beautiful coastal views, and a seat on a one of a kind heritage train. Plus we offer an extensive range on non-alcoholic options too- you won’t miss out

Whilst there is no reserved seating on The Blues Train, each carriage has seats for every patron. The exception is Carriage D (the dance carriage) which has seating for 35 along the sides.

Your ticket gives you an allocated start carriage, and your subsequent carriage order after that.

The carriage orders are as follows:
Start Carriage A – B, C end in Carriage D
Start Carriage B – C, D end in Carriage A
Start Carriage C – D, A end in Carriage B
Start Carriage D – A, B end in Carriage C

Please note these are General Admission tickets. It is vital to book all your tickets in the same start carriage! Booking all tickets under one name in one transaction is your best bet. So remember if you want to be together, book tickets in one hit! As per our terms of sale, there are no refunds once tickets have been purchased (outside of those required by law), and tickets may only be moved once per booking

As a fully licensed event, there is no BYO on The Blues Train, this includes all liquid beverages, i.e. bottled water, soft drinks, thermoses, coffee and tea, etc. No alcohol may be removed from the platform at the conclusion of the show (ie. you can’t take it home with you).

Due to health and safety regulations we need to ensure that all food and drinks consumed during the event are controlled by us. We are committed to responsible service of alcohol and free water is readily available to all patrons

BEERS

• Furphy
• Hahn Super Dry
• James Squire Alcoholic Ginger Beer
• James Squire Cider

WINE – All Wines served by the glass

SPARKLING

• Prosecco

 WHITE

• Pinot Grigio
• Sauvignon Blanc

RED

• Shiraz
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon

SPIRIT RTD’s

• Whiskey & Cola
• Whiskey & Dry
• Vodka, Lime & Soda
• Pink Gin & Soda
• Sparkling Margarita

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Water
• Coke
• Coke No Sugar
• Sprite
• 0% Beer
• Mocktails
  • Passion Martini
  • Mojito
  • Italian Spritz
• Non Alcoholic Wines
  • Prosecco
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Shiraz

Please note RSA service limit applies 

*Bar menu are subject to change without notice

SNACKS AND MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE AT BAR PRICES

SNACKS- $3

• Twisties
• Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream chips
• Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar chips
• Honey Soy Chicken chips
• Doritos
• Nobby’s Pork Crackle

MERCHANDISE

• Bucket $20
• Beanie $20
• Cap $25
• Stubby Holder $10
• Keychain/Bottle Opener $5
• Magnet $5
• Sticker $3
• Pocket Mirror $2

Whilst individual seats in the carriages themselves are not allocated, the start carriage is allocated at the time of purchase. Therefore, it is essential that when booking, if you want to travel with family or friends, you must know which carriage they are starting in (i.e. A, B, C or D, indicated on their ticket) and also that you ensure that you buy tickets for that carriage.

Your ticket will indicate the carriage in which you will begin the journey. Everyone swaps carriages at each platform stop.

The carriage orders are as follows:

Carriage A, moves to B, C, D during the event

Carriage B, moves to C, D, A during the event

Carriage C , moves to D, A, B during the event

Carriage D, moves to A, B, C during the event

Tickets for October to December 2025 are on sale now

Check out BOOK A SHOW for all available event dates.

Further Blues Train shows will go on sale in late 2025

Follow this link to read our Terms & Conditions

For people wishing to ride on the Blues Train who require professional carers, we can offer a discount ticket* for one accompanying carer (Companion Card holder) per booking.

The primary ticket purchaser needs to purchase their ticket at full price. This discounted rate is only for the companion. Both tickets must be booked together. These must be booked via the Blues Train booking line on 1300885993 or contact us. We do advise to contact our customer service team the month prior to your booking date to make arrangements for each of entry and assistance if required.

We have wheelchair access on the Blues Train, however due to the age of the heritage train carriages and the width of the doorways and arrangement of fixed seats, mobility can be limited. Please refer to our FAQ specifically about wheelchair access.

*Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional code or offer.

The Blues Train runs rain, hail or shine and is only cancelled under extreme circumstances.

In the event of a show cancellation we will make every attempt to contact patrons prior to the date to advise. It’s important to leave a contact phone number and email address when making your ticket purchase.

Please also see our Terms & Conditions for full information.

See our Show Dates page for ticket availability.

​There are no toilets located on The Blues Train during travel. Toilets are are located every 30 minutes at each platform stop.
​There are modern private toilets at the Queenscliff Railway Station; public toilets and clean private portaloo’s at Suma Park platform; and public toilets at Drysdale Station.
​Wheelchair-access toilets are available at Queenscliff, Suma Park and Drysdale stations.

In the event of a total fire ban, The Blues Train is pulled by a diesel engine.

Be Prepared – you won’t be cold in the carriages, but you may need a jacket when you exit the train during the breaks, particularly towards the end of the season in April and May.

Check the weather forecast and bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella. Please note that there is limited cover at Drysdale and almost none at Suma Park, so if its a rainy evening, waterproof jackets are a good idea. Keep in mind that you will be out until almost midnight, so it will be much colder when you are going home than when you leave the house. Also keep in mind that during the stops (three times during the evening, when you change carriages, grab a drink, and use the toilets) you will be outdoors for about 15 minutes while our staff check and clean carriages. Even on the coldest night, the carriages get quite warm and on the hottest night, the carriages can be very hot, as they are not air-conditioned. Layers are a good idea!

You can wear whatever you like on the Blues Train!

Dress for a celebration or just wear your favourite old jeans.

It is important to note:

• Layers are recommended
• Secure, comfortable shoes will make your night more enjoyable!

Keep in mind that during the stops (three times during the event, when you change carriages, grab a drink, and use the toilets) you will be outdoors for about 15-20 minutes while our staff check and clean carriages.

Even on the coldest days, the carriages get quite warm and on the hottest days, the carriages can be very hot, as they are not air-conditioned. Layers are recommended! Please note that there is limited cover at Drysdale platform and almost none at Suma Park platform, so if it’s a rainy evening, waterproof jackets are a good idea.