Altona Miniature Railway is a charming location to enjoy some cheap, old-fashioned fun with your pre-schoolers.
Featuring steam and diesel rides, picnic areas, and affordable ticket options every third Sunday, Altona Miniature Railway is a must-visit!
Altona Miniature Railway
The miniature railway is a hobby club that is staffed by volunteers, mostly old train geeks.
Every third Sunday of the month the Altona Miniature Railway is opened to members of the public and members take kids and adults on rides on the steam and diesel engines.
For $4.00 a ticket, $40 for 11 tickets or $30 for an all day pass (babies under 12 months ride free) you can clickity-clack atop one of the miniature carriages.
It’s rather relaxing as it trundles around a 1.5km curving track in and around tiny hills and through a dark tunnel.
The miniature railway is an activity that’s just right for kids 3-5 years old.
Young enough to be excited and enthralled by the chug-chugging, yet old enough to sit independently and follow instructions not to stick hands out of the carriage or stand up.
When we first took Baby 2.0 around 18 months he was a bit nonplussed by the whole experience and towards the end was getting quite wriggly – and it’s not like you can just get off.
There’s not too much waiting in line as there are numerous trains running around the track and each can take around 10-15 passengers.
At the station there are a few shaded tables and chairs so you can BYO picnic or birthday party catering and enjoy a day out there.
Some food vans are available onsite, which seem to rotate each month. You can grab a coffee or hot drink, and food like potato twisters and ice cream.
They also take bookings for parties where you can book a diesel locomotive plus 3 carriages for 2-3 hours.
It’s worth visiting the playground next door!
Located beside Altona Miniature Railway is Blenheim Reserve Playground featuring a nature-inspired design, a climbing tower, sand pit, picnic areas, and toilets.
Altona Miniature Railway is a fun stop off if you’re in Altona to enjoy the beach (one of only two swimming beaches in Melbourne’s west) or to visit the Altona Homestead, one of the oldest residences in Melbourne and now a museum.
Altona Miniature Railway opens on the 3rd Sunday of every month, from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
HOT Tips for visiting the Altona Miniature Railway:
- Arrive early i.e. 10 am so you can enjoy a couple of rides before lunch;
- Tickets can be purchased onsite only, using cash or card, babies under 12 years ride free;
- Free parking on site;
- BYO food, or make use of food vans onsite for purchasing snacks, drinks or a light lunch;
- Picnic tables and chairs;
- Organised birthday parties available;
- Blenheim Reserve Playground is right next door; and
- Short drive to Altona Beach.
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