Step back in time in this lovingly restored steam locomotive as you travel from Moorooduc to Mornington.  The Mornington Railway is sure to capture the imagination not only for it’s steam engine but also because the carriages are beautiful and fun to explore.

When:  First three Sundays of the month (and Australia Day weekend), four times a day.

Where: Mornington Railway, 460 Moorooduc Hwy MOOROODUC

Cost:  Family return (2 adults, 2 kids) $48, Child one way $6.  For more details click here.

Review

One overcast Sunday we caught the 11am Moorooduc to Mornington return train on the Mornington Railway.  We have traveled on other steam engines and revelled in the magic of the engineering – the engine on that occasion being the focus of the experience.  The Mornington Railway doesn’t just focus on just the engine – and it is less about the view or the wind and soot in your hair – part of the charm of the Mornington Railway is the beautifully restored carriages.

When you arrive at the station (and have collected your tickets) you are free to explore the train inside and out – and you can sit anywhere you like.  While the train is moving it’s possible to walk from one end of the train to the other.  The narrow halls and cabins almost make it appear as if you have stepped into an Agatha Christie mystery or aboard the Hogwarts Express.

The decor in the carriages differs – and if you travel all the way to the back of the train (so the front of the train for the return trip) you can climb up and look out a small window (which on the return journey looks onto the steam engine as it works away – see it here).

When you return to Moorooduc Station be sure to make a beeline for the engine room – children are invited to jump up into the cabin and have a look around before the engine is uncoupled.

Also worth noting there are no working toilets aboard the train – and the only station with toilets is Moorooduc.

When we returned to Moorooduc the Mornington Railway canteen was open and the BBQ was going – so sausages were consumed.

Mornington Railway is maintained and operated by volunteers – you can meet many of them if you stop and say hello!  They clearly have a ball being involved in the Railway – from punching tickets on the train to the weekly working bees to keep everything working.. the place is oozing love.

The return trip takes approximately an hour all up (actual train travel is 20 minutes one way – and about 15 minutes spent at Mornington Railway Station before returning).  You can travel one way and you can also travel Mornington to Moorooduc return (there is ticketing facilities at both stations).

Also worth noting is that there is a special birthday party option.

A 50 minute drive from the CBD and plenty of on site parking make this a fun little excursion for all ages – and also a great pit stop if you are en route to the Mornington Peninsula.

All details were correct at the time of publishing in January 2015.