Since its inception in 1994, the Blues Train in Queenscliff is an iconic and world-renowned tourist destination right on the Bellarine Peninsula. However, as COVID continues to wreak havoc on live music and entertainment venues and attractions, the Blues Train is relying on help from the local and extended community, as well as music lovers around the world.
Having brought joy and entertainment to over 300,000 passengers, the Blues Train is a one-of-a-kind experience offering a variety of performances on the night. Many Australian musicians perform on the train, and sometimes passengers will get to experience international performers as well!
With dinner and entertainment provided, drinks flow as the train travels along the Bellarine Rail Trail, starting and ending in Queenscliff. Guests spend time in each of the four carriages, experiencing the talents of different blues and roots performers throughout the night.
The Blues Train has been shut down for the majority of the coronavirus pandemic. In late July 2020, founder Hugo T Armstrong started a Go Fund Me campaign to save the Blues Train. Having raised over $44,000 in a little over a year of fundraising, and almost $60,000 at the time of publication, the moving venue was expected to reopen again for its Revival Concert Series in October this year. However, event organisers have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the Blues Train shows for 2021 due to health concerns and COVID case numbers.
Having now been closed for over 500 days, the Blues Train is relying on community support to make it to 2022. Money already raised via the Go Fund Me page has been allocated to maintaining and running the business. Expenses paid included rent and utilities for the office space, website and ticketing system costs, motor vehicle expenses, advertising and marketing, insurance, wages and superannuation.
Guests with travel credit from previously cancelled shows will have priority for new ticket release when the Blues Train reopens, followed by the venue’s 18,000 Blues Train VIP email members receiving second priority.
For more information on the Blues Train, visit www.thebluestrain.com.au. To support and donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com and search ‘The Blues Train Rescue.’
