Puffing Billy

Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, situated in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and only one hour from Melbourne CBD.

With lush fern gullies brushing past the open side carriages and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead, Puffing Billy Railway makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest.

 

Discover wonderful wildlife and spectacular landscapes made for adventure while sitting on the carriage sill of Puffing Billy’s open-side carriages; a truly iconic experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Visitors can enjoy travelling on board Puffing Billy as a stand-alone experience with the excitement beginning at Belgrave Station, or start the adventure from Lakeside Station, riding over the rolling hills, across iconic timber trestle bridges and through the open farmlands that surround Gembrook Station.

With a range of delicious picnic packs available, pre-order your meals and spend the rest of your time making memories to treasure forever. Located adjacent to Lakeside station sits Puffing Billy’s new state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre. Featuring a modern café with the best produce on offer in the region, a dedicated gift shop featuring locally designed treasures and a gallery of steam artifacts in the Lakeside Hall, the Visitor Centre offers guests a cultural hub with world class facilities. Open daily with free entry to passengers and visitors. Free for all train ticket holders, passengers can also explore the Menzies Creek Museum – home to more than 80 railway-related exhibits, including rare operational steam and diesel locomotives, an operational boiler house that services steam engines, and the Little Toot Café for all your morning tea needs.

Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, catching up with friends, or a celebratory occasion, Puffing Billy Railway’s exclusive carriage hire offers you and your guests a unique outdoor experience with privacy and comfort front of mind.

Even four-legged family members can get in on the steam train fun, with special monthly Lakeside to Gembrook Dog Express journeys on board enclosed compartment carriages. If you are a local community member, take advantage of the railway’s annual Locals Pass, offering up unlimited travel on return train journeys, as well as special discounts on unique dining experiences, events, and major food, drink, and retail products.

Or enjoy a different type of Puffing Billy Railway experience in beautifully restored heritage dining carriages as part of the railway’s first-class Steam & Cuisine luncheons. Delight in a locally sourced three-course menu while eating up the beautiful passing scenery from Belgrave to Lakeside. The Nobelius Packing Shed – a heritage listed remnant of horticultural history that was once part of the largest exporter of fruit and ornamental trees in the Southern Hemisphere – is another romantic setting for an afternoon bite.

Ride in open side carriages to Nobelius Siding, before indulging in a tasty two-course menu and exploring the four-and-a-half-hectare Nobelius Heritage Park that sits behind the Packing Shed.



Other special events include Day Out with Thomas, the Puffing Billy Running Festival, as well as our much-loved Murder Mystery dinners. Scheduled to be complete and open in Spring of 2021, visit the new state-of–the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre to learn more about the railway and the region. Free entry. Indoor and outdoor dining options available.

Whether it’s energetic adventure, a touch of nostalgia or cultural experiences, there is something for everyone at Puffing Billy Railway.