A Moving Restaurant With a Grounded Purpose
Our impact goes beyond the table. Whether it’s through championing local producers, reducing our environmental footprint, building cultural awareness, or making dining more inclusive - we’re proud to give back as we go.
Environmental Sustainability in Motion
As a diesel-powered restaurant on rails, we know our footprint carries weight, and so does the responsibility to reduce it. That’s why we’re committed to transparency, innovation, and a clear plan for long-term change.
Our Sustainability Environmental Action Plan outlines measurable goals across energy use, water conservation, waste reduction and greenhouse gas emissions. Some outcomes take years and real investment. Others are already in motion — including our biggest infrastructure project to date.
A Solar-Powered Step Forward
In October 2024, we installed a 39kW solar system as part of our long-term sustainability strategy. A $35,000 investment that replaced fossil fuel use and boosted our overall energy capacity.
We made this change to reduce reliance on mains power, eliminate frequent outages, and cut rising energy costs. It was also a response to findings from the Tourism Emissions Reduction Program (TERC), and our own drive to take real climate action.
The results have been immediate. In the first six months alone, grid usage dropped by 31%, and power outages decreased by 95%. The difference in day-to-day operations has been enormous, boosting both productivity and team morale, while creating a stronger, more sustainable base for the future.
Supporting the Region, One Bite at a Time
We believe in keeping our impact close to home. Our local-first procurement policy prioritises food, beverage, and consumable purchases from Geelong, the Bellarine, and the Otways.
By sourcing from nearby farms, vineyards, and artisans, we reduce transport miles, support small businesses, and reinvest directly into the Bellarine’s thriving food scene. But we don’t just buy local, we build partnerships that last. From boutique vineyards to family-run farms, every supplier is part of The Q Train’s extended family.
When guests taste a Bellarine wine or discover a local flavour on board, it often sparks a journey beyond the plate. One that stretches back to the region’s growers and makers.
Local Impact at a Glance
- 81% of food spend supports locally owned small/medium businesses
- 91% of beverage purchases come from Geelong, the Bellarine and the Otways
- We spotlight our producers through take-home menus, printed maps, and social media, because we want the journey to continue long after the train pulls in.
Visit our Makers & Growers page to discover the passionate producers.
Community Contribution
The Q Train is proud to support grassroots organisations and fundraisers that are local, community-focused, and aligned with our values. Each year, we donate approximately $2,500 in vouchers to help these groups raise funds.
Every donation creates a double impact: not only does it support the cause, but it also brings more guests on board, which means more meals served, more local stories shared, and more investment in the growers and makers we buy from.
Recent Causes We’ve Supported:
- Bellarine Masonic Lodge – fundraiser for Down Syndrome Victoria
- Point Lonsdale Bowls Club
- Farm My School
- Lions Club Corio
- Scotchman’s Hill Breast
Cancer Fundraiser - The Gordon’s Student Support Fund
- Bellarine Agricultural Show
- Victorian Deaf Caravan and
Camping Group - Drysdale Community Church
Deepening Our Cultural Understanding
The Q Train travels through some of the Bellarine’s most culturally significant landscapes, including Swan Bay, freshwater lakes, and protected wetlands.
These lands are part of Wadawurrung Country, cared for over countless generations by the Wadawurrung People, Traditional Owners and custodians.
We recognised that our business benefits from this stewardship and that we had a responsibility to build a deeper understanding of First Nations stories, history, and connection to Country.
Commitment to Respecting Culture
In March 2025, we partnered with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) to run Cultural Awareness Training for our team.
Led by Traditional Owner Ash Skinner, the training included a Welcome to Country, a walking tour of Wadawurrung Country to explore traditional landcare and native food sources, and stories that highlighted the cultural significance of Swan Bay and local native species.
The impact was immediate. Over half of our team attended the training, including 72% of guest-facing staff. Before the session, nearly 20% of our team didn’t see First Nations knowledge as relevant to their role. Afterwards, 100% recognised its value, with 91% saying their understanding was now good or very good.
Inclusion in Action
We know that making The Q Train more inclusive is about more than just ramps and menus; it’s about listening, learning, and responding with care.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, we made meaningful accessibility upgrades and focused on building our knowledge and preparing for bigger, long-term changes, including the creation of our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). These actions reflect our core values: authenticity, a people-first mindset, excellence, memorable experiences, and fostering inclusivity.
We were honoured to receive the Geelong Business Excellence Award for Accessible and Inclusive Business in October 2024, and to be featured in Tourism Australia’s 2024 Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Paper. These acknowledgements opened the door for us to share our learnings with other local operators via podcasts, panels, and industry news.
Our team also took part in three major learning events, including the Asia-Pacific Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference, VTIC’s Breaking Barriers Conference and The Quality Tourism Framework Accessibility Program.
These learnings are already making a difference. From low-vision guests using our new screenreader tools to families appreciating small details like reserved A-frame parking signs, every improvement helps us better welcome every guest on board.