Date revealed for return of The Q Train to Bellarine

Shut down for almost a year because of COVID, popular Bellarine attraction The Q Train is preparing to welcome back guests.

AN ICONIC Bellarine tourism and dining attraction is set to reopen its doors next week after being closed for almost a year due to COVID-19.

Popular moving restaurant, The Q Train, announced this week it would welcome guests back aboard from March 12.

It comes after the local family business shut its doors in March 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, for what was hoped to be just a six-week closure.

Chief executive officer Marie-Claire Trotter said she never thought her businesses would remain closed up until now.

“We were sad, obviously, but we were quite glad to have an opportunity to slow down and consolidate our business processes closely, and to improve,” Ms Trotter said.

“We didn’t imagine for one second that we’d still be closed 11 months later. Especially not when it feels like everyone else is open around us.”

Q-train at Queenscliff is set to resume services from March 12.

Ms Trotter said The Q Train – which acts as both a tourism and hospitality venue – has slipped through the cracks of the Department of Health and Human Services strict industry classifications, hindering its ability to reopen earlier.

The latest blow came after it received advice that it would be able to reopen under the ‘tours and transport’ classification in February.

But on January 31, two weeks before its planned reopening, it was told it would be subject to a capacity limit of 60 per cent.

“60 per cent capacity doesn’t come close to covering our costs, and that’s without considering the thousands of vouchers we have out their waiting to be redeemed,” Ms Trotter said.

The Q Train is now finishing off a new carriage in a bid to increase its seating capacity capabilities, so it can reopen cost effectively, with social distancing limitations.

It also has begun restocking its bars and kitchen, spending in excess of $250,000 annually with producers from the Bellarine and Geelong region.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said he was thrilled to see The Q Train back on the rails.

“Since its inception in 2017, The Q Train has proven itself to be an iconic and key signature experience in the region, bringing guests from near and far,” he said.

Bookings are now reopen for March to June. For more information visit www.theqtrain.com.au.

Originally published as Date revealed for return of The Q Train to Bellarine