This week, I had the pleasure of attending Explore Victoria, a B2B trade show organised by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) in partnership with Visit Victoria. The event brings together tourism businesses from across the state with international travel agents and distributors, people who help share the best of Victoria with visitors from across the globe.
It’s always a privilege to represent The Q Train, and this week was an especially wonderful opportunity to showcase not only our award-winning rail‑restaurant experience, but also the extraordinary region we call home, Geelong and the Bellarine.
As I moved from meeting to meeting, sharing stories of our railway, our crew, and the producers we partner with, two standout moments stayed with me.
Across the day, three separate agents said versions of the same thing:
- our incredible winemakers,
- the hidden gems we visit ourselves,
- and the restaurants we can’t stop recommending.
The answer was easy.
Most Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 2:30pm, I wander down to Drysdale Station to watch the train return at the end of service. It’s a small ritual, but one that means so much.
I watch our crew hop down from the carriages, set the ramps, and farewell our guests. And more often than not, I see something that still surprises me, even after all this time:
Guests hugging their waiters goodbye.
Not just shaking hands.
Not just offering a polite thank you.
Actual hugs.
They tell our staff not only how much they loved the food, but how unforgettable the service was.
I can’t think of many dining experiences where a guest would hug their waiter at the end of lunch. And yet, on The Q Train, it happens all the time.
It’s the clearest sign of the authenticity our Front of House crew brings to every service.
Explore Victoria reminded me, again, how fortunate we are to be part of a region that supports one another, believes in what we offer, and takes pride in sharing it with the world.
We can’t wait to welcome more international travellers on board, to introduce them to the flavours of the Bellarine, and to show them firsthand why this place leaves such a lasting impression.
See you onboard soon.