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The ultimate guide to Puffing Billy
Step back in time at one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railways, Puffing Billy, situated in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
With lush fern gullies brushing past your open side carriage and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead, the whole family will love riding the Puffing Billy steam train on your next weekend trip or school holidays excursion.
Read on to learn how to make the most of a day out at Puffing Billy Railway, including which route to take and the special events you won’t want to miss out on!
Best of all, RACV Members save on Puffing Billy Railway tickets.
Everything you need to know about Puffing Billy
What is Puffing Billy?
Puffing Billy Railway is a historic heritage steam railway built in 1900 that still carries passengers through the heart of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
In the 1900s, this railway delivered passengers, mail, livestock, timber, potatoes and plants between Melbourne and the small communities living in the Dandenong Ranges.
Riding on these historic locomotives today, you’ll be able to smell the steam from the train’s chimney and hear each blast of the train’s whistle. The open-side carriages give you amazing views of the hills, valleys, temperate rainforests, and timber trestle bridges.
Puffing Billy was built in 1900. Image: Puffing Billy Railway
Where does Puffing Billy go?
There are three main routes to choose from on the Puffing Billy Railway.
Lakeside to Gembrook return
3-hour experience: 45-minute train ride each way & 1 hour at Gembrook
The Lakeside to Gembrook return journey departs from the picturesque Lakeside station within Emerald Lake Park. Arrive early to enjoy the park, including Lake Treganowan and Lake Nobelius, fern gullies, open eucalypt forests, and many native and exotic plants. Or simply stop in at the Lakeside Visitor Centre for a small bite to eat at the Railway Café and a look at the Visitor Centre’s free museum in the Lakeside Hall.
From Lakeside, you’ll ride on Puffing Billy through Wright Forest, which is rich with tall, fragrant eucalypt trees. Puffing Billy will then cross three historic trestle bridges before chugging through rolling hills and farmland. The 45-minute train journey stops at Gembrook for one hour, a small and quaint town tucked in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. Here, you can dine and shop along the main street, have a picnic in Gembrook Park, or visit the Motorist Museum by appointment to see vintage and classic cars.
Belgrave to Lakeside return
4-hour experience: 1-hour train ride each way & 2 hours at Emerald Lake Park
The Belgrave to Lakeside return journey departs from Belgrave Station and delivers a 1-hour train journey through Sherbrooke Forest and over the iconic curved timber Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge.
When you arrive at Lakeside station within Emerald Lake Park, there is plenty to do. Why not ethe Lakeside Visitor Centre, including the historic steam artifact displays in Lakeside Hall and the photographic exhibition Animal Tales? Then meander through Emerald Lake Park, which boasts two lakes, several walking trails through gardens and bushland, and vintage Paddleboats that you can rent to ride on Lake Treganowan. Don’t miss the Emerald Lake Model Railway & Miniature World, one of the largest model railways in Australia.
Belgrave to Gembrook return
6-hour experience: 1 hour 50-minute train ride each way & 1 hour at Gembrook
The Belgrave to Gembrook return journey departs from Belgrave station. This tour features the longest train journey through Sherbrooke Forest and the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge (1 hour and 50 minutes). You’ll then pass through Wright Forest.
Like the Lakeside to Gembrook journey, this train ride adventure stops at Gembrook where you can dine and shop along the main street, have a picnic in Gembrook Park, or visit the Motorist Museum by appointment.
Puffing Billy has four routes to choose from through the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Image: Visit Victoria
Can I sit on Puffing Billy’s carriage sills?
Both adult and child passengers can sit on Puffing Billy Railway’s carriage sills with their legs hanging out. Children aged between 4-13 years must be supervised by an adult. Children under 4 years of age are not permitted to sit on the carriage sills.
How do I get to Puffing Billy?
Puffing Billy Railway travels through the Dandenong Ranges, just one hour east of Melbourne and around one hour from RACV Healesville Resort.
If you are departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Belgrave station, you can park in the new Belgrave Metro Station Car Park which features 640 car parking spaces and 16 accessible car parking spots, and is located just minutes from Puffing Billy's Belgrave station.
Enter via Belgrave-Hallam Road/Bayview Road/Old Monbulk Road Roundabout in Belgrave. People with accessibility requirements can use the drop-off at Gate 4.
You can also catch public transport to Puffing Billy Railway. Simply catch the Belgrave train line from Melbourne CBD, or the 693 Oakleigh to Belgrave bus service via Ferntree Gully and Brandon Park. Both stop at the Metro Belgrave Station, where you can follow the blue line painted on the platform for a two-minute walk to Puffing Billy Railway.
If you are departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Lakeside station, you can park at the Lakeside Visitor Centre on Emerald Lake Road. There are 110 parking spots available at a $8 flat fee per day. Public transport is limited to Lakeside.
When do I need to arrive at Puffing Billy?
You're required to check in at the Puffing Billy booking office before the departure of your train ride. Check in at the booking office closes 30 minutes before the train leaves, so arrive early and explore the area before you depart.
Kids young and old will enjoy Puffing Billy. Image: Visit Victoria
How much are Puffing Billy tickets?
Ticket prices for Puffing Billy range depending on which trip you select. You can check the Puffing Billy’s timetable here. Please note that all tickets must be pre-booked online and sell out well in advance.
RACV Members can save on Puffing Billy tickets.
Can I bring food and drink on Puffing Billy?
You can eat and drink on Puffing Billy Railway – just take your rubbish with you at your next stop. You can bring your own food and drink or purchase takeaway options, such as at the Belgrave station refreshment room and the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café.
You can also pre-purchase delectable grazing boxes with your train tickets to collect at Lakeside and picnic in style. Alternatively, you can sit in the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café for a scrumptious menu with options for both adults and kids.
Is Puffing Billy suitable for children?
Many children ride Puffing Billy Railway every day. Baby change facilities are available at all stations, and a microwave for warming bottles and baby food is also available in the baby change room at Belgrave Station and inside the Lakeside Visitor Centre. Volunteers in the refreshment rooms at other stations can also assist you to warm bottles and baby food.
Due to the narrow carriage doors, Puffing Billy recommends that families bring a small, folding-style stroller or pram for the trip onboard the train. Prams must fit underneath the seats if they are to be brought on to carriages. Prams that don't fit underneath the seats of carriages will be stored in a different carriage and will be available for when the train stops at the destination.
Can dogs ride Puffing Billy?
On normal Puffing Billy train rides, only certified assistance dogs are allowed aboard.
Luckily, the Puffing Billy Dog Express welcomes up to two dogs per booking aboard on special train journeys from Lakeside to Gembrook.
Start off the day at Emerald Lake Park with your pup, where you can explore walking trails together before boarding dog-friendly carriages at Lakeside Station. You can also enjoy an early lunch at the Lakeside Visitor Centre’s Railway Café, where dogs are welcome in the outdoor dining area.
It's a 40-minute train ride through Wright State Forest over three timber trestle bridges to Gembrook Station, where you can play fetch in the adjacent J.A.C. Russell Park or wander part of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail.
Puffing Billy will take you and your furry friends back to Lakeside Station in the afternoon.
Dogs can take a ride on Puffing Billy aboard the Dog Express. Image: Puffing Billy Railway
Can people with accessibility needs ride Puffing Billy?
People with accessibility needs can enjoy a Puffing Billy train ride. There are paved pathways to Belgrave and Lakeside stations and the Lakeside Visitor Centre from car parks, as well as the Metro Train Station in Belgrave. Please note that due to the topography of the area, pathways are steep and/or narrow in places.
Accessible car parking spots are available at Belgrave and Lakeside stations. There are accessible toilets at Belgrave, Menzies Creek, Lakeside and Gembrook stations. The Lakeside Visitor Centre features an accessible toilet as well as a Changing Places facility with an adult change table and hoist.
Puffing Billy’s station platforms are not at the same height as the carriage doors. Please note that between the platform and the carriage there is a gap that will require passengers to step up/step down when boarding or disembarking the train.
Ramps are available to aid boarding onto Puffing Billy’s accessible carriages. These ramps have a wheelchair width of 75cm. To pre-book these carriages, contact Puffing Billy Railway’s customer service.
Companion card holders travel free of charge onboard Puffing Billy’s daily train journeys, and their client (with an Australian Government issued concession or healthcare card) pays a concession fare.
More information about accessibility at Puffing Billy Railway is available here.
There are accessible carriages on Puffing Billy. Image: Puffing Billy Railway
What events does Puffing Billy host?
Puffing Billy Railway hosts several fun events throughout the year, including:
- Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights – a mesmerising light show during a special night-time train journey.
- Paint and Sip at Puffing Billy Railway - this three-hour artistic day out takes guests on a steam train ride from Belgrave to Lakeside Station, during which you can dangle your legs from the carriage sill. At Lakeside Visitor Centre, you'll enjoy a guided painted lesson, served with a grazing table and glass of sparkling, before returning to Belgrave. 2024 sessions are sold out, but RACV Members can still purchase tickets to an exclusive session on Sunday 17 November 2024.
- Day Out With Thomas – ride on an interactive train journey from Lakeside to Cockatoo with Thomas the Tank Engine, plus his friends James, Diesel and Sir Topham Hatt.
- Murder on the Puffing Billy Express – dress up in your best flapper clothes and enjoy a three-course meal, with an entrée served aboard Puffing Billy and the rest of your meal at the Nobelius Packing Shed, where the mystery unfolds...
- Puffing Billy Running Festival – this annual fun run pits man against machine. Race against Puffing Billy for the chance to claim a prize!
