DOCKLANDS SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Steam, Baylight and the Waterfront: Rail, Sail or Sail, Rail Between Melbourne and Geelong
A full-day outing that pairs Steamrail Victoria’s heritage steam train with ferry crossings of Port Phillip Bay—three route options let you choose rail first, sail first or rail only for a round trip between Melbourne and Geelong.
Steam, Baylight and the Waterfront: Rail, Sail or Sail, Rail Between Melbourne and Geelong.
Steamrail Victoria’s Rail and Sail is a one-day sightseeing circuit that marries the nostalgia of a heritage steam train with the broad, open vistas of a ferry crossing on Port Phillip Bay. The program offers three clear options—Rail First, Sail First or Rail Only—linking Melbourne and Geelong so you can tailor a day of waterfront exploration and contrasting travel experiences.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Heritage steam between Melbourne and Geelong
Steamrail Victoria’s vintage steam train provides the trip’s most evocative leg: departures from Melbourne’s Southern Cross and return rail departures from Geelong are scheduled as part of the Rail First, Sail First and Rail Only options.
Ferry crossings across Port Phillip and up the Yarra
The sail segments cruise down the Yarra River and across Port Phillip Bay, delivering city and bay perspectives you won’t see from the tracks—arrivals and departures at Docklands Terminal and Steampacket Pier mark the maritime bookends.
Geelong’s waterfront and Steampacket Pier
Each itinerary leaves time to explore the Geelong waterfront and the Steampacket Pier area (near Cunningham Pier), the focal point for arrivals and ferry departures between Geelong and Melbourne.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The day alternates between two distinct modes: the close, rhythmic clatter and period styling of a heritage steam train and the expansive, salt-scented quiet of a ferry passage across Port Phillip Bay and up the Yarra. Choose the sequence—rail to Geelong then sail home, sail to Geelong then ride the vintage train back, or take the rail round trip—and you get a deliberately contrasted day of travel and waterfront time.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a full-day trip with set departure and arrival times for each option; consult your itinerary for the exact schedule for Rail First, Sail First or Rail Only.
Departures originate from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station (train) or Docklands Terminal (ferry). Docklands Terminal is behind Marvel Stadium and about a ten-minute walk from Southern Cross, adjacent to the Bourke St/Harbour Esplanade tram stop.
Choose Rail First (train to Geelong, ferry return), Sail First (ferry to Geelong, train return) or Rail Only (return by train). Each option has its own published departure and arrival times.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Rail, Sail or Sail, Rail outing?
It is a full-day trip with scheduled morning departures and evening returns depending on your chosen option.
What are the main route options?
You can take Rail First (train to Geelong, sail back to Docklands), Sail First (ferry to Geelong, train back to Southern Cross) or Rail Only (return by train).
Where do departures and arrivals take place in Melbourne?
Train departures are from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station; ferry departures and sail arrivals use Docklands Terminal behind Marvel Stadium, a short walk from Southern Cross and adjacent to the Bourke St/Harbour Esplanade tram stop.
What are the sample departure and arrival times?
For Rail First the steam train departs Southern Cross at 10:40 am and arrives Geelong at 12:10 pm; the return ferry sails from Geelong at about 4:00 pm to arrive at Docklands around 6:10 pm. For Sail First the ferry leaves Docklands at 10:40 am and arrives Geelong at about 12:50 pm; the return vintage train departs Geelong at 3:50 pm and arrives Melbourne at 5:16 pm.
Where does the ferry dock in Geelong?
Ferry arrivals and departures for this service use Steampacket Pier near Cunningham Pier on the Geelong waterfront.
Who operates the rail and ferry segments?
The program is presented by Steamrail Victoria with ferry sailings operated via Port Phillip ferry services.