Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Melbourne to Belgrave, where you’ll board the iconic Puffing Billy, Australia's best-preserved heritage steam train.
Travel through the breathtaking Dandenong Ranges, crossing the famous Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. Dangle your legs from the unique open-sided carriages while taking in the beautiful views and crisp scents of fern gullies and mountain ash forests.
Arriving at Lakeside, explore Emerald Lake Park’s peaceful walking trails, enjoy the scenic lake, or relax at the café. Visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre to discover the fascinating history of Puffing Billy through interactive exhibits.
After exploring, return to Melbourne in the early afternoon, completing a perfect half-day adventure filled with history, nature, and unforgettable views
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board
Total duration includes the travel time.
Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: This package includes our Puffing Billy Half-day tour & our Phillip Island Penguin Parade Afternoon tour
Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: Please note that when booking this package you will participate in both tours on the same day, Puffing Billy in the morning & Penguin Parade in the afternoon. You will have a lunch break in Melbourne between the tours.
Combo: Puffing Billy + Penguin option: If joining this option your return time to Melbourne will be between 9pm-midnight depending on the season
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Pickup from Selected Hotels
WiFi on board
One-way Journey on Puffing Billy
Professional, Friendly & Informative Guide
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Air-conditioned vehicle
English Speaking Tour Guide
Meals & beverages
Gratuities
Optional: Puffing Billy + Penguin option is 2 half-day tours joined together & taken on the same day
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Puffing Billy Railway
Upon arriving in Belgrave, you'll step into a piece of living history as you board the iconic Puffing Billy steam train. Dating back to the early 1900s, this world-famous heritage railway offers a unique experience with its open-sided carriages, allowing you to feel the fresh air and immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
As Puffing Billy steams through the enchanting Dandenong Ranges, you'll be treated to stunning views of lush forests, towering trees, and vibrant fern gullies. Along the way, you’ll cross the iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge, offering breathtaking vistas of the serene landscape.
Options
Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience
Half-day experience: This half-day option returns to Melbourne at approximately 1:15pm, giving you the whole afternoon to enjoy at your leisure!
Pickup included
Puffing Billy & Penguins combo
Add on the Penguin Parade: Continue your journey by joining our Phillip Island afternoon tour following your Puffing Billy experience in the morning.
This is a full day experience: You'll return to Melbourne after Puffing Billy & enjoy a lunch break before rejoining for the Phillip Island Afternoon tour
Pickup included
Reviews
131 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended
578anjul,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joined the puffing billy tour & it was fantastic. Mike and Jay were great! Picked us up early and got us to the station early to secure good seats. They also gave good tips and recommendations during the tour. Highly recommend this tour!!
Puffing Billy Experience
912aramaec,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a wonderful and memorable experience. David is so nice and knowledgeable. He made sure that everyone was looked after.
A great day out for the...
Omar C,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great day out for the family and unique experience. Friendly and accommodating staff. Highly recommend
Puffing Billy Experience Tour
namita d,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Wonderful experience , guide cum was extremely good . Place visited was beautiful except that to be time spent at the hilltop was considerably less as caffe out there was very busy and it was taking more than half hour to cater due to which lakeside visit had to be skipped .
Great Trip!
Liz L,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip on the Puffing Billy. Trip took an hour through the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Lakeland so you plenty time to enjoy it. Our guide was Mike who looked after all very well. Good commentary on the way there and back with lots of tips and ideas. Thank you Mike! Highly recommended.
Puffing Billy Day Tour
aliciag496,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Mike was wonderful, full of insights about Melbourne, the region and flora and fauna. He made sure everyone felt comfortable and happy. Thank you for this experience, absolutely wonderful.
Spectacular
nikkimI1081LQ,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great day at The Puffing Billy on 16/10/2025. David was an amazing tour guide. Not only was he a wealth of information, he was entertaining to go with it. Plus, he also got great photos and videos of us on The Puffing Billy from the sidelines. I highly recommend Go West and David. 💯
Love the smell of steam trains
G1369ZXjamess,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I don't usually do tours so it was great having David N as our guide, he was fun and did everything he could to make everyone comfortable. And explained everything with humour. I thought the trip was worth it and all the kids on the train had a good time. There's not many activities that let you hang outside of a moving vehicle now days so it was great to see people enjoying themselves.
Great tour with great guides….except for one
peterjP4020HQ,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The tour was well planned and well managed, but I was appalled when the final tour guide Michael gestured that he would appreciate any gratuities at the end of the tour. Gratuities are not part of the Australia culture, but it was pretty obvious that the guide was taking advantage of the likely nativity of international travelers who would likely not be familiar with local customs. His driving at excessive speed on the return journey did not go unnoticed by a few passengers either.
Dschungel Fahrt
Nomad04963202196,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sitting on the outside of a railway ist just one of those things you just have to do once in your life. Thanks to James C. our tour guide.
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Operated by Go West Tours