Melbourne’s niche steam train museum is super cool and operates only 2 days per week (Saturday and Sunday)!
Apart from Puffing Billy, Melbourne is also home to the Newport Railway Museum, a railway museum with a history of 160 years. It houses 29 vintage trains from various periods in Australia, including 17 steam-driven, 3 electric, and 9 diesel trains.
What to see at Newport Railway Museum
Different trains are open for viewing every hour, and announcements are made when the trains are accessible. You can enter the train carriages for an interactive experience when the headlights are on! The switches and facilities inside the carriages are touchable and manipulable, providing a fulfilling experience for both kids and adults.
Despite its limited opening hours, the museum offers a fantastic experience! Knowledgeable volunteer grandpas on-site provide detailed explanations and answer questions, covering topics from the transition from British-style first-class cabins to North American designs, the origins of various woods and different metal materials, to the first “coal-to-electric” locomotive.
In addition to various train engines, there’s a 1970s subway train designed and built like the Shinkansen (bullet train) of that time. Interestingly, even after 30 years, Melbourne’s railway lines have only seen minor extensions, yet the costs have been quite extravagant.
Tickets and fees
Admission is $10, children’s tickets are $5, and a family package is available for $25 (for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 4 children). Tickets can be reserved on the official website or purchased on-site.
If you want to explore the area besides visiting the train museum, we recommend checking out the nearby Newport Lakes Reserve and Armstrong Reserve Playground, both of which have children’s playgrounds. If you enjoy the beach and the weather is warm, head south for a 3-minute drive to reach Williamstown Beach or Jawbone Marine Sanctuary.
Location: 26 Champion Rd, Newport VIC 3015
Public transport: Take the Williamstown line from Southern Cross Station, it’s a 20-minute ride to Williamstown North, then a 300-meter walk
Free roadside parking. Be mindful of mosquitoes in the summer!