Queenscliff Line
The Queenscliff Line was built in the late 1800s as a broad gauge branch from the mainline to Port Fairy. The main purpose of the line was for military traffic to serve a fort that was established at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. In addition to military functions the line was also used for various excursion trains throughout its life.
Overall however, traffic on the line was light and after a number of temporary closures and little use the line was closed for good as a broad gauge line in the late 1970s. Not long after the line closed, the section between Drysdale and Queenscliff was converted to narrow gauge and commenced operation as the Bellarine Peninsula Railway tourist service.
In the 1990s the remaining broad gauge track between Drysdale and South Geelong was removed except for a short section between Curlewis and Drysdale. A rail trail has now been constructed along the entire route including the section adjacent to the operating narrow gauge tourist railway.
It is unknown what will become of the reservation between Drysdale and South Geelong in the long term. It is ultimately possible that the tourist service may be extended into Geelong or even that the broad gauge track may be reinstated for commuter services into Geelong as the area becomes more built up as the reservation remains in public hands.