I had a birthday coming up and chose the Steamrail Victoria excursion to Geelong as my day out. So our sail and rail day started early. We sailed to Geelong aboard the Victoria Star and came home via rail on the R711 Steam locomotive.

Sailing

We left Victoria Harbour in the Docklands at 9.30 sharp and cruised down the river, under the Bolte and Westgate Bridges, past Williamstown, Newport, and down to Corio Bay.

It was grey and cloudy as we left, but the weather promised to improve. The Victoria Star is a refurbished Manly ferry, quite roomy though seats were at a premium. We availed ourselves of the refreshments and enjoyed a Devonshire tea as we sailed past Williamstown. Mid-morning, the sun came out, so we got two glasses of chilled white wine, found a nice sheltered from the wind spot, and enjoyed the sunshine and scenery.

Geelong

She arrived in Geelong 20 mins late, around 2 pm, and we headed off looking for lunch. I lucked out when we chose the Customs House restaurant and bar. The food and service were amazing. Calamari was tender, the salad was delicious, and the chips were excellent. We followed that up with Belgian waffles, ice cream and berries, lubricated with a couple of glasses of Sauvignon and then waddled off to Geelong Station in search of our train.

Steam Rail

Seating on the train was reserved, so we had a comfy seat all the w home. Carriages had beautiful ornate tin ceilings,  windows between each ‘room’ that sat six people, and the air conditioning was open a window. Which we did so we could stick our heads out and see the train:)

One carriage was set up as a buffet car, so we lurched, rocked and rolled our way down there to check ut it. It made me think back to the old movies with Cary Grant etc., walking down the narrow corridor with people in tiny rooms to the side. How did the heroine walk down those corridors in heels? Is that why she always fell into the hero’s arms? 🙂

I must say I didn’t realise steam trains went so fast… we flew along from Geelong to Southern Cross Station in about 90 mins with the driver pulling the whistle just about all the way home.   We spotted loads of photographers lining the tracks with tripods set up taking photos. Everyone watching and waving the train go past had a big smile on their face. There is just something about steam trains and steam whistles that brings out the kid in everyone.