Puffing Billy Railway is an iconic heritage railway in Victoria offering a charming journey through the picturesque Dandenong Ranges. Established in 1900, it was initially built to serve the local farming communities, providing a crucial link to larger markets. Today, Puffing Billy is a beloved tourist attraction, captivating visitors with its beautifully preserved steam locomotives and vintage carriages.
The Puffing Billy Train departs from Belgrave, winding through lush forests, fern gullies, and across historic trestle bridges, providing a nostalgic experience of early 20th-century train travel. Operated by dedicated volunteers, Puffing Billy not only preserves a vital piece of Victoria’s railway history but offers an unforgettable experience for passengers young and young at heart!
The Puffing Billy Melbourne is a beloved symbol of Victoria's rich railway heritage, offering an enchanting adventure through the stunning Dandenong Ranges. This narrow-gauge railway, opened in 1900 as one of four experimental lines to serve remote communities and boost local agriculture.
Despite its closure in 1953 due to landslides and declining freight revenue, the line was resurrected by passionate volunteers who saw its historical and tourism potential. Today, Puffing Billy is one of the world’s finest preserved steam railways, delighting over 400,000 visitors annually.
The Puffing Billy tour begins at Belgrave where visitors can witness the meticulous preparation of the steam locomotives. As the train chugs out of the station, passengers are treated to a sensory feast: the rhythmic clanking of the wheels, the scent of coal smoke, and the sight of billowing steam. The trip provides a tranquil escape through emerald-green fern gullies, towering mountain ash trees and past serene creeks.
Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a unique day out, Puffing Billy Steam Train offers an unforgettable journey. One of its memorable moments is crossing the historic wooden Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge with a distinctive curved design. Some passengers hang their legs over the carriage sides, a charming old tradition that provides a great photo opportunity.
Puffing Billy’s journey includes stops at Menzies Creek, Emerald, and Lakeside, each offering unique attractions. Lakeside features Emerald Lake Park and its paddle boats, walking trails, and picnic areas.
The railway is run by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, a dedicated group of volunteers and staff committed to maintaining the line’s historical integrity and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for all. Their efforts have not only preserved an important piece of Victoria’s history but also created a thriving tourist attraction that brings joy to generations of visitors.
Puffing Billy is located in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges, just one-hour east of Melbourne.
The iconic Puffing Billy train ride from Belgrave to Gembrook Station takes just under two hours one way, or 40 minutes from Lakeside. Gembrook Station is the last stop on the Puffing Billy line having reopened between Lakeside and Gembrook in 1998.
For more than 100 years of operation Puffing Billy Railway has offered a rather unique and for some, nostalgic experience – sitting on the sill of Puffing Billy’s traditional open-side carriages. Sitting on the carriage sill is only allowed on the Belgrave to Lakeside station section of the line.
The Puffing Billy runs from Belgrave to Lakeside every day with additional journeys like Belgrave to Gembrook and Lakeside to Gembrook available from Friday to Sunday.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
.png)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Powered by EngineRoom
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Falls%20Creek.png)
.png)
%20-%20Glenrowan.png)
%20-%20Great%20Ocean%20Road.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Mount%20Hotham.png)
%20-%20Phillip%20Island.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Warrnambool.png)
%20-%20Wilsons%20Promontory%20Wilderness.png)
%20-%20Yarra%20Valley.png)
%20-%20Artvo%20Gallery.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Laneways%20and%20Arcades.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Museum.png)
%20(1).jpg)
%20-%20National%20Gallery%20of%20Australia.png)
%20-%20Ned%20Kelly%20Last%20Stand.png)
%20-%20Otway%20Ranges.png)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
%20(1).jpg)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)