Victorian Goldfields Railway will kick off its Easter festivities with a Good Friday evening, Wine and Cheese Soiree Train which will depart Castlemaine Station at 5pm, as the heritage train meanders along the tracks, you’ll be transported into a world of decadence.
Savour a delightful selection of wines carefully curated for your palate. Tasting notes will guide you through the nuances of each wine as the VGR stewards serve a lavish cheese platter during the journey.
Dinner will be held at the Porcupine Village’s Golden Nugget Restaurant upon arrival at Maldon. The return journey wouldn’t be complete without a dessert wine to accompany a delectable dessert! Grab your ticket before they sell out!
The regular Goldfields Explorer trains will operate on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday.
Two special trains will also operate over the Easter Weekend, offering something a bit different and are a great way to get from Castlemaine to Maldon for the 149th Easter Fair!
Easter Monday the fair finale, the Maldon Fair Easter Procession will take place. This year, VGR have a steam train departing Castlemaine Station at 9.15am, to get you out to Maldon early enough to watch the procession and then partake in the Easter festivities departing Maldon at 2.45pm.
For those who haven’t got time for a full day on the train, Easter Monday will also see a short one hour travel option starting at Maldon at 12.45pm – for a quick trip out to Muckleford and back.
It’ll be a busy year again for the team at the VGR, with the return of Steam Locomotive K160, following a 12 year overhaul at Newport Workshops.
It also marks 40 years since heritage trains starting operating out of Maldon station back in 1986, festivities to celebrate the two big achievements are in the planning phase for August.
2026 also marks Maldon’s 60th anniversary of being declared ‘Australia’s First Notable Town’ and the VGR is looking forward to helping the town celebrate this milestone on May 10.
The VGR continues to be a volunteer run and maintained non-for-profit organisation, helping to preserve and maintain a slice of our local history.
Please head to their website: www.vgr.com.au for more details and to get involved – they’ve got a job to suit just about everyone and there is always plenty to do!
All VGR trains can be booked via the website or contact the VGR office on (03) 5470 6658 or via email at info@vgr.com.au