Queenscliff railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Queenscliff
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|---|---|
| Bellarine Peninsula Railway Station | |
Looking west along the Bellarine Peninsula Railway to Queenscliff Station; at right is the Bellarine Rail Trail
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| Line(s) | Bellarine Peninsula Railway former Queenscliff Line |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Tracks | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Status | Tourist Station |
| History | |
| Opened | 21 May 1879 May 1979 (re-opened by the Bellarine Peninsula Railway) |
| Closed | 6 November 1976 |
Queenscliff is a special railway station located in Victoria, Australia. It was once the very end of a railway line that started near South Geelong. Today, it's a popular spot for tourists who want to experience a ride on a historic train.
Queenscliff Station first opened its doors on 21 May 1879. The station building you see today was built a little later, in 1881. It's so important that it's listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history.
Contents
A Look Back at Queenscliff Station
Early Days and Connections
When Queenscliff Station first opened, it was a busy place. It helped connect the town to other parts of Victoria. For many years, from 1886 to 1958, the station had a special connection to Swan Island. This connection was a narrow railway line, called a 3 foot gauge tramway. It was used to move goods between the island and the main railway line.
Changes and Closure
Over time, fewer people used the old railway lines. Because of this, Queenscliff Station was officially closed to all regular train services on 6 November 1976. It seemed like the end of an era for the station.
Reopening for Fun
Luckily, the story of Queenscliff Station didn't end there! After it closed, a group called the Bellarine Peninsula Railway took over the line. They wanted to keep the railway alive for people to enjoy. They even changed part of the track to a different size (3'6" gauge) to fit their trains.
In May 1979, the Bellarine Peninsula Railway started running special tourist trains from Queenscliff Station. At first, these trains went to Laker's Siding. Soon after, they extended the line to Drysdale. This meant that people could once again ride a train from Queenscliff and enjoy the scenery.
Today, the part of the old railway line between South Geelong and Drysdale is no longer used for trains. Much of that old track has been turned into a walking and cycling path called the Bellarine Rail Trail.
