Welcome to the Victorian Goldfields Railway, the authentic steam heritage railway that links the historic gold mining town of Castlemaine with Maldon in Central Victoria.
Travel through central Victorian Goldfields in one of our elegant first-class carriages.
Every Wednesday and Sunday, except for February. Also on some school holidays and public holidays.
Important Information
*SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER PROMOTION*
Take 25% off Excursion Class and 15% off First Class.
Travel during September and October.
Valid only for online bookings, one-way or return.
*Not valid with any other discounts
Valid for regular Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday services.
Please note: We will operate a 2-return timetable from 16th September 2023 until 1st October 2023.
Our Steam Engine is currently undergoing a major mechanical overhaul. We are optimistic that the Steam Locomotive will be ready by November.
As soon as we have more information, we will update this page.
Due to a lack of volunteers, there may be some days that the courtesy bus cannot run.
In Excursion class, seats are not assigned. Arrive early if you want to sit with your family or friends.
On Wednesdays, the first class seating will be displayed and allocated at the carriage entrance.
There will be no assigned seating for Sunday travel. If you are meeting up with friends, please arrange your plans accordingly.
If you would like to sit together, arrive early to ensure your seats.
When booking, please let us know if you use a mobility device so that we can accommodate your needs.
Please Note: From 16th of September 2023 until 1st of October 2023 they will be operating a 2 return timetable. Click Here to learn more
Our service is currently being hauled by our Heritage Diesel Engine while our Steam Engine undergoes a Major Mechanical Overhaul. The overhaul of the Steam Locomotive
is progressing well, and at this stage we are hopeful it may be back by November.
We will update this space as soon as more information comes to hand.
Seating in Excursion Class is not allocated. If you are bringing along the family or meeting friends who you would like to be seated with, please arrive early to ensure you can find seats together.
First Class seating will be allocated and displayed at the entrance to the carriages on Wednesdays.
For Sunday travel there will be no seating allocation, so if you are meeting friends
and would like to be seated together, please arrive early to secure your seats.
Please let us know when making your booking if you have a mobility aid so we can cater to your needs.
September School Holidays Timetable
This Timetable will run every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday of the Victorian September School Holidays
Effective 16th September 2020 until 1st October 2023
Castlemaine – Maldon
Depart Castlemaine – 10.30 am
Arrive Muckleford – 10.50 am
Depart Muckleford – 10.55 am
Arrive Maldon – 11.15 am
Maldon – Castlemaine
Depart Maldon – 12.00pm
Arrive Muckleford – 12.20 pm
Depart Muckleford – 12.25 pm
Arrive Castlemaine – 12.45 pm
Castlemaine – Maldon
Depart Castlemaine – 2.15 pm
Arrive Muckleford – 2.35 pm
Depart Muckleford – 2.40 pm
Arrive Maldon – 3.00 pm
Maldon – Castlemaine
Depart Maldon – 3.45 pm
Arrive Muckleford – 4.05 pm
Depart Muckleford – 4.10 pm
Arrive Castlemaine – 4.30 pm
Wednesday Timetable
This Timetable will run every Wednesday
Effective 4th October 2023 until 31st December 2023
Castlemaine – Maldon
Depart Castlemaine – 11.30 am
Arrive Muckleford – 11.50 am
Depart Muckleford – 11.55 am
Arrive Maldon – 12.15 pm
Maldon – Castlemaine
Depart Maldon – 2.45 pm
Arrive Muckleford – 3.05 pm
Depart Muckleford – 3.10 pm
Arrive Castlemaine – 3.30 pm
Sunday Timetable
This Timetable will run every Sunday
Effective 4th October 2023 until 31st December 2023
Castlemaine – Maldon
Depart Castlemaine – 10.30 am
Arrive Muckleford – 10.50 am
Depart Muckleford – 10.55 am
Arrive Maldon – 11.15 am
Maldon – Castlemaine
Depart Maldon – 12.00pm
Arrive Muckleford – 12.20 pm
Depart Muckleford – 12.25 pm
Arrive Castlemaine – 12.45 pm
Castlemaine – Maldon
Depart Castlemaine – 2.15 pm
Arrive Muckleford – 2.35 pm
Depart Muckleford – 2.40 pm
Arrive Maldon – 3.00 pm
Maldon – Castlemaine
Depart Maldon – 3.45 pm
Arrive Muckleford – 4.05 pm
Depart Muckleford – 4.10 pm
Arrive Castlemaine – 4.30 pm
Fares
Effective as of 1st August 2022, All fares include GST
Return Journeys may be commenced at Castlemaine Only
First Class – Return
Adult – $74.00
Concession – $68.00
Child (4-16yrs) – $68.00
Family (2A 3C) – N/A
Excursion Class – Return
Adult – $52.00
Concession – $47.00
Child (4-16yrs) – $21.00
Family (2A 3C) – $115.00
First Class – One Way
Adult – $53.00
Concession – $47.00
Child (4-16yrs) – $47.00
Family (2A 3C) – N/A
Excursion Class – One Way
Adult – $37.00
Concession – $32.00
Child (4-16yrs) – $16.00
Family (2A 3C) – $90.00
First Class Travel
Our first class carriages offer a unique rail experience. Choose from cosy compartments or open lounges. Enjoy a drink or snack purchased from the bar while you sit back and relax. Ride on the observation platform on our Parlour car and let the world drift by. Leave the hum-drum modern life and go back to an era when the journey was as important as the destination.
Ride with the Driver
A Ride with the Driver Experience takes around 25mins
Travelling half way between Castlemaine & Maldon.
Giving you plenty of time to enjoy the train ride from the comfort of a carriage as well as experiencing the adrenalin of the locomotive!
Fares
Adult (17+) – $50^
You can Purchase a Gift Voucher for a Cab ride from our Online Shop
^A Cab ride ticket is in addition to your travel ticket fare
Conditions of the Riding with the Driver
- To take part in the Ride with the Driver you must be relatively fit and agile with full use of arms and legs.
- There is no age limit as long as you are aged 17 and over. You must be physically able to climb steps into and down from the locomotive at ground level totally unassisted in case we do not have platform access.
- The driver can and will use their discretion as to your ability to do this and under our Health and Safety requirements is obliged to refuse to take anyone who he feels is not sufficiently agile and mobile to manage in this environment.
- We cannot guarantee a seat for you on the locomotive so you must be prepared to and be able to stand for the duration of the trip.
- So please make sure you are fit and agile before booking this activity for yourself or someone else. We would rather save the embarrassment of refusal on the day.
- It’s a wonderful experience but you must be aware it’s a working industrial environment.
Booking Enquiry
This is a very popular experience so to make sure you can travel when you want prior bookings are essential. Cab rides are only available in conjunction with a regular train fare. Just remember that you must be over 16 and be relatively fit.
To book contact the VGR Office by filling out the form below or
Email: info@vgr.com.au
You can ring the office on (03) 5470 6658. You may be asked to leave a message as the office is not manned every day. We aim to return phone calls within 24 – 48 hours.
A Touch of Class
Step back in time to an era of elegance and decadence, into the Golden Age of rail travel when the journey was as important as the destination..
Tambo
Built in 1919 is a fine example of Edwardian elegance featuring art nouveau fittings and decor in cosy individual compartments and a large lounge with cane chairs and end viewing platform.
Macedon
Built in 1928 by the renowned Pullman company in Chicago. It is unlike any other carriage operating regularly today. Its art deco features, leather club chairs and bar set off with background jazz and other music from the era makes for a stylish experience you will remember.
Acheron
Built in 1923 is a fine example of Edwardian elegance featuring art nouveau fittings and decor in individual compartments and a lounge
Looking for the perfect gift?
First Class Gift Certificates are ideal for those who appreciate experiences rather than material presents. The premium gift certificate includes a cheese platter and drink from the bar to enjoy in the luxurious first class carriages.
Gift Certificates are can be used for birthdays, a thank you to someone special or a staff reward and are available from their Online shop.
What people say – Read some comments from other First Class passengers.
“We were well looked after by our charming attendant and felt as if we were in the lap of luxury in a previous era. We almost felt as if we were involved in an Agatha Christie novel with the art deco furnishings…truly beautiful. “
“It was a perfect day for us, brilliant service & wonderfully restored carriages. The engines were awesome! We loved every minute of our experience. We loved how we were able to walk around the carriages & not be simply stuck to one seat for the entire trip up & back. Thank you to all the staff for making our day a very special one that we’ll always remember! “
“Steam train ride to Maldon and return was an absolute pleasure, enjoyed the wine/beer and cheese platter supplied, staff very knowledgeable, train ride was like taking a step back in time, would do it again in a heartbeat!! “