Melbourne Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Parade Day Tour Escape
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Two Icons in One Day – Puffing Billy steam train + Penguin Parade.
Flexible Itinerary – Adjusted to train & penguin schedules.
Close-Up Wildlife – Kangaroos, koalas & more at a local sanctuary.
Scenic Variety – Beaches, rainforest, coastlines, and Phillip Island.
Stress-Free Package – All highlights in one full-day trip.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Brighton Beach
Visit Melbourne’s most iconic and colorful beach huts, perfect for memorable photos by the seaside. Note: If the Puffing Billy train schedule requires an earlier departure, this stop may be skipped or replaced with an alternative such as a scenic lookout in the Dandenong Ranges or a charming local town, ensuring you still enjoy a unique experience.
Maru Koala and Animal Park
Meet Australia’s famous wildlife up close, from kangaroos and wallabies to sleepy koalas. Learn about local conservation efforts and enjoy the opportunity to hand-feed some of the animals. Note: This spot may be replaced by Moonlit Sanctuary based on the actual situation on the day.
Options
Penguin Parade (no train ride)
Penguin Parade (no train ride): Visit Brighton Beach, watch Penguin Parade and visit a wildlife park (at own expense), but do not ride Puffing Billy train. Pickup included
Train + Penguin Combo
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Comfortable vehicle transport
Admission to Puffing Billy Train Ride
Admission to Penguin Parade Watch (not included in the "no penguin watch" option)
Tips for the driver
Toll, parking and fuel cost
Bilingual professional driver/guide service
Admission to the wildlife park
Meals and beverages
Other personal expenses
Personal insurance
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended the service
Odilia N,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Love the travel plan and the driver was extremely helpful. Brighton beach followed by wildlife. Puffing Billy and Philip island. It’s quite amazing to be able to get done with everything in a day.
Very poor tour van, very bad driving.
Phatawan T,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Do not take this tour, the van condition is terrible. The driver drove really bad! (I have to cancel the tour at first stop due to car sickness). The seat in the car is not comfortable at all. Very small. Not even give me a partial refund when I requested due to medical condition.
Experience Your second Childhood on the Puffing Billy Train on a Viator Tour
Venitia R,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A must for any age if you are in Melbourne. This experience is your second childhood, freedom and fun.
Great Trip to see Penguins
Jennifer T,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Got to see the highlights - Puffing Billy, Melbourne Bathhouses, Maru Zoo, and of course penguins!!!!! Vance was a very nice driver and made sure we stayed on time and adjusted where needed. He even highlighted where we could plan to eat during the day which helped on a long tour like this. Great Day out and the penguins are the opportunity of a lifetime to see.
Wasted time and money
Victoria C,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00I'll start with the pros- puffing billy was a great experience, highly recommend. The penguin parade was incredible to see experience. Now I'll get to the reason I am giving a 1 star- I don't like to complain, because I understand the need for flexibility. The tour felt like a lot of wasted time, time that was not cheap. I opted for this tour, as there were many options for similar tours, including cheaper ones. Scheduled tour time 10am, and changed to 830, due to the train schedule, which was ok. After the train, we had an excessive amount of time at the train cafeteria. The Maru Animal Park, which felt like a sad zoo. For the cost of the tour, the $30 should have been included. We were given 2 hours to spend there, which doesn't need more than 45 minutes (as per itinerary, 1 hour). Then we were brought to an overpriced chocolate store because we had a lot of time before seeing the penguins. After we were brought to Cowes in Philip Island, and here we were given almost 3 hours. 3 hours to do what? No where on the itinerary had this listed. At 1830 we made our way to the penguin parade. The penguin parade ended late, which of course is not in control of the tour. We started our day at 830 and ended at 2300. Our driver, he was nothing close to a guide. I asked the driver why we didn't stop at two of the locations, he said oh because the train. we weren't given the option, nor were we even told we wouldn't be doing the other activities. , we spent almost 3 hours in Cowes, wasting time. I understand the need for flexibility, but it's different when the itinerary is blatantly disregarded and there is zero communication about it. When choosing tours, it's based on the itinerary. What's the point if the itinerary is different? Different without even given any options or information. If I knew this prior to booking, I would have went with a different tour option. This tour was poorly planned and orchestrated. For $122 USD a person (2 people), I would expect a lot better. Completey upset with our experience.
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