Hop on-board and get on track for Melbourne’s best train-themed activities.
It seems that all young kids enjoy “Thomas And His Friends,” and Melbourne has loads of train-related activities to satisfy the littlest trainspotter.
Below we’ve listed all of the best train experiences on offer throughout Melbourne, for train enthusiasts both young and old to enjoy a fun family day out.
train playgrounds in melbourne
1. Marie Wallace Bayswater Park
Head to this massive playground featuring an authentic steam train engine that kids can climb into.
Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, Mountain Highway, Bayswater
2. Puffing Billy Playground, Emerald
Emerald station has a small playground with a train theme to honour Australia’s iconic Puffing Billy which travels along the tracks regularly.
Puffing Billy, Emerald
3. Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir
A picturesque park, lake and playground that houses a full-size A2 class locomotive.
Edwardes Lake Park, Griffiths St &, Edwardes St, Reservoir
4. Windsor Siding Reserve
Located right beside Windsor Station you’ll find a small fenced toddler playground with a wooden train engine and a carriage with four seats.
Windsor Siding Reserve, 104 Union Street, Windsor
5. Train Street Playground, Highett
A fully-fenced train-themed playground on Train Street, next to the train line at Highett!
Train Street Playground, 15 Train Street, Highett
6. Trains within playgrounds
While not actually train-themed playgrounds, Bicentennial Park in Chelsea, Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale and Harmony Park in Coburg, all have pretend train play equipment.
train play in melbourne
7. Toot Toot Toys
A toy store with a gated play area and cafe at the back full of train tables and trains. One of Baby 2.0’s favourite indoor hangouts.
Toot Toot Toys, Shop 1/670 Centre Rd, Bentleigh East
8. Bookshops with train play
Popular children’s bookshop Readings Kids in Carlton has a fun train table for play. Little Bookroom in North Fitzroy Village also has one.
train-spotting in melbourne
9. Southern Cross Station
Grab a snack and hang out high up above the concourse of Southern Cross Station to watch the trains enter and exit the stunning wave roof.
Southern Cross Station, Spencer Street, Docklands
10. Golden Square Bicentennial Park
The mound in the middle of the playground at Golden Square Burnley has a great view of bypassing Metro trains. The excellent family-friendly cafe, Serotonin, is a bonus.
Golden Square Bicentennial Park, Madden Grove, Burnley
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Golden Square Bicentennial Park
11. Sebastian’s Food and Wine
A relaxed cafe and bar right on the railway lines at Hampton Station.
Sebastian’s Food and Wine, 303 Hampton St, Hampton
12. Eastern Bloc
Eastern European inspired cafe with a view of the Upfield path and Coburg Train Station.
Eastern Bloc, 133 Bell St, Coburg
Miniature Railways in melbourne
13. Diamond Valley Miniature Railway
Weekly miniature railway runs with a fantastic gated playground next door.
Diamond Valley Miniature Railway, 570 Main Rd Eltham
14. Bulla Hill Railway
Public runs on every 3rd Sunday of the month with a dinosaur theme! There’s a playground next door too.
Bulla Hill Railway, Bulla Recreation Reserve, 15 Green St, Bulla
15. Altona Miniature Railway
Public runs on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Altona Miniature Railway, 1-21 Blenheim Rd, Altona North
16. The Miniature Railway
Operating every Sunday at the National Steam Centre in Scoresby.
The Miniature Railway, National Steam Centre, 1200 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby
17. Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club
Train rides run between 11am-4pm on the 4th Sunday of each month, except December.
Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club, 75 Hawthory Rd, Mooroolbark
18. Box Hill Miniature Railway
Public runs on the 3rd Sunday of every month around picturesque Elgar Park. The playground next door also has a train theme and features a wooden train with carriage.
Box Hill Miniature Railway, 521 Bellmore Rd, Mont Albert North
19. Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria
*Update as of February 2023: Please note that Moorabbin Miniature Railway will not be opening for public running for the rest of 2023 but will continue to offer runs for booked parties on the 1st Sunday of each month except January.*
Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria, 128 Rowans Road Moorabbin
Special Train Rides in melbourne
20. Puffing Billy
The most famous steam train ride in Victoria and popular tourist attraction in the Dandenong Ranges.
It’s particularly popular with families when they run the themed Day Out with Thomas sessions.
Puffing Billy, Gembrook Station, Main Road, Gembrook
22. The Bellarine Railway
Every Sunday The Bellarine Railway provides heritage train rides running between Queenscliff and Drysdale Stations and they also hold various Day our with Thomas and other special events throughout the year.
Other train experiences on the Bellarine Peninsula include the Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway and the Blues Train in Queenscliff.
The Bellarine Railway, 20 Symonds St, Queenscliff
23. Mornington Railway
Mornington Railway celebrates steam trains, diesel locos, passenger cars and freight carriages every Sunday, plus special events.
Mornington Tourist Railway, 60 Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc
24. Yarra Valley Tourist Railway
Steam train that runs every Sunday on a restored track between Healesville and Lilydale.
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway, 20 Healesville-Kinglake Rd, Healesville
Railway Displays and Museums in melbourne
25. National Steam Centre
Every weekend see engines up-close in the museum and on a Sunday take a spin on the miniature railway. Just across the road from the excellent Chesterfield Farm for a full-day adventure.
National Steam Centre, 1200 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby
26. Emerald Lake Model Railway
The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest model railway is found at picturesque Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake Model Railway, Emerald Lake Road, Emerald
27. Fairy Park
Victoria’s oldest theme park also houses a collection of model train sets and a train museum.
Fairy Park, 2388 Geelong-Ballan Rd, Anakie
28. Newport Railway Museum
The railyards hold the largest collection of Victorian Railways steam locomotives on display and is open every Saturday as well as both Saturday and Sunday during school holidays.
Newport Railway Museum, 26 Champion Rd Newport
29. Steamrail Victoria
Steamrail Victoria is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the restoration and operation of vintage steam, diesel and electric locomotives and carriages. At the Newport workshops and railyard they hold an annual open day and throughout the year they run mainline steam train tours.
Steamrail Victoria, 1 Shea St, Newport
30. Train and Hobby Show
Every year at Sandown there are displays of large and small model railway layouts, Live steam engines, ride on train rides and Thomas the Tank train rides.
Train and Hobby Show, Sandown Racecourse And Entertainment Centre
Train-Themed Restaurants in melbourne
31. Easey’s
Easey’s is an eatery located inside a Hitachi 153M train carriage hoisted five stories up a Collingwood rooftop! Enjoy burgers (and beers) with views overlooking the Melbourne skyline.
Easey’s, 3/48 Easey St, Collingwood
32. Carriage Cafe
A charming cafe in Seville set inside carriage constructed over 100 years ago
Carriage Cafe, 35 Seymour St, Seville
33. Rattling Cafe
Located at the rear of the Tyabb Packing House and Antiques Centre you’ll find Rattling Red Cafe, a cafe inside a reconditioned red rattler train carriage. Tuck yourself into a cabin for a Devonshire Tea or sit out on the platform and enjoy the view.
Rattling Red Cafe, 14a Mornington-Tyabb Rd Tyabb
34. Sushi Train
Visiting a sushi train is the ultimate food adventure for train-loving families and Melbourne is lucky to have a few great options.
Click here to read our post about the best sushi trains to visit in Melbourne.
What are your favourite train experiences with kids in Melbourne?
