Are you ready for a magical, winter getaway? Take a historic steam train, settle in to your compartment, and journey into Gippsland for a delightful winter experience. Choose between a trip up to Mount Baw Baw, and play happily in the snow, or a trip into the historic town of Walhalla for something a little warmer. If mountains aren’t your thing, opt for a leisurely afternoon in Traralgon. The Snow Train experience, run by Steamrail Victoria, is running for two days only, on Saturday July 16 and Saturday August 13. Bookings are available now.
Snow Train by Steamrail Victoria
Your journey begins bright and early in the morning, with the vintage steam train leaving from Newport, and moving through Southern Cross, Flinders Street, Caufield and beyond. Soon, you’ll swap city views for the rolling green hills as the locomotive journeys into Gippsland. The train will stop at Moe, and from there, the choice is up to you. Which experience will you book?
Mount Baw Baw
Hop off the steam train and onto a comfortable coach, and travel up through the mountain forests towards the snow. Once you’re in the Mount Baw Baw resort, you’ll be able to hire toboggans, skis and other snow gear to have as much fun as possible. You will then leave the mountain at 4:15pm, for a 5:52pm train departure from Moe.
Walhalla
Take a coach up the mountain towards the historic town of Walhalla for something a little warmer. There, you can choose to partake in an additional two-course hot lunch, at either the Walhalla Hotel or the Walhalla Goldfields Railway goods shed. After that, explore the town, check out the Walhalla Goldfields Railway or take a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended gold mine.
Rail only
If you’d prefer to stick around on the steam train, stay on in Moe, and continue your adventure through the Latrobe Valley. The train will move through the Haunted Hills, Hernes Oak and Morwell before you arrive in Traralgon. Spend an afternoon there, then return to the train for the journey home.
More about the journey
The train itself has kiosks, where you can purchase light refreshments, souvenirs, and both hot and cold drinks. There’s also a licensed bar, serving wine, beer and spirits. For an extra cost, you can upgrade your seat to a heated carriage for a little more comfort during the cold journey.
The Snow Train will pick up passengers at Newport, Southern Cross, Flinders Street, Caulfield, Dandenong and Pakenham. The current proposed timetable shows a departure from Newport at 7:20am, with a return time of 8:42 pm.
For more information and to make a booking, browse through the tours on Steamrail Victoria here.