By rail · STEAM TRAIN RIDES IN AUSTRALIA
Good steam train rides in Australia sell the seats before the fares, and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Ride Puffing Billy, a preserved steam railway built in 1900, through the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. Choose a journey from Belgrave or Lakeside, meet the volunteer crew, enjoy Emerald Lake Park, and sit on the carriage sill between Belgrave and Lakeside when permitted.
“I loved the views and the whole trip! I really recommend this journey, I'd do that again”
Spend eight hours beyond Melbourne on a guided trip to Puffing Billy and Healesville Sanctuary. Ride the steam train from Belgrave to Lakeside, walk through rainforest, and see koalas, kangaroos, and birds of prey. Guides such as Gary, Stuart, Anthony, and Jerry are known for keeping the day friendly and well organized.
“I absolutely love it. It’s something you need to do while you’re here.”
Combine two of Victoria’s best-known outings in one 12-hour trip. Ride Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside, visit The Nobbies, then watch little penguins come ashore at Phillip Island. English-speaking guides such as Alan, Gina, Jose, and Stuart are praised for useful wildlife tips and smooth timing.
“Excellent experience and thx for our tour guides … LeLe and Gina both of them very professional and fun”
Ride Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside through fern-filled forests, cross the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge, and relax at Emerald Lake Park. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with audio commentary in 16 languages and central Melbourne pickup.
“Magical fun experience. Nothing like ridding a steam train while your legs dangle off the side. The lush views are amazing.”
Ride the historic Puffing Billy steam train for one hour through the Dandenong Ranges, with open carriages, rainforest views, and dangling-leg fun. Your English-speaking guide, such as Gina, Mark, or Michael, handles the day from Melbourne pickup to Lakeside. Bring warm clothes, walking shoes, and a snack.
“Amazing tour guide. Gina is incredible, informative and very friendly. We love our experience here. I traveled with my 80 year old mother and she had such an amazing time. Highly recommended!”
Ride the historic Puffing Billy steam train with your legs hanging from the carriage, pause in Sherbrooke Forest, then visit Healesville Sanctuary. Your guide handles the long drives from Melbourne, with names such as Gerry, Andy, Stewart, and Margaret praised for friendly commentary. Lunch is extra.
“Andy was excellent. This was a relaxing and interesting trip. We have been go go going for 1.5 weeks and needed something a bit more relaxed. The sanctuary was really great. Very interesting talks every 15 minutes and don't miss the flight show. Very interesting.”
Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach to ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, visit The Nobbies, and watch little penguins come ashore at sunset. Guides such as Daniel and William are praised for clear timing and useful tips. Maru Koala and Animal Park is optional and costs AUD $33 extra.
“Clear instructions and gave us useful suggestions, especially the penguin activity, let us know where was the best location to see it”
Ride the historic Puffing Billy steam train from Belgrave through the Dandenong Ranges in open-sided carriages, then visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park. A guide such as Robbie, Sherif, Bluey, or Mel may lead the day. Hotel pickup and Wi-Fi are included.
“Very clear instructions for pick up , and friendly guide ! Very nice experience! Nice length of time spend there”
Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach to ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, visit Maru Koala and Animal Park, see the Nobbies, and watch the Penguin Parade at dusk. Guides such as Evan Wu and Lei may lead the day in English and Mandarin.
“Our tour guide, Evan Wu, was responsible and had a great sense of humor. The whole trip was well-organized and very enjoyable. We watched the amazing penguin parade and rode the exciting and scenic Puffing Billy Railway.”
You’ll ride the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, visit Brighton Beach and the Nobbies, and watch little penguins return from the sea. English and Chinese guides, including guides such as John and Tony, lead this 12-hour trip. Maru Koala and Animal Park is optional and costs extra.
“Driver was inconsiderate to my grandfathers mobility issues and parked very far at the penguin parade despite there being open spots closer which upset my grandfather who insisted we go on without him so he didn’t get to properly enjoy the experience or see any penguins.”
Join a licensed guide such as Darren, Gina, Stewart, Cat, or Leelee for a 12-hour Melbourne day trip. Ride Puffing Billy, visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and The Nobbies, then watch little penguins return to Phillip Island. Pickup, transport, train admission, and Penguin Parade entry are included.
“We had an amazing day on Puffing Billy and Penguins wildlife tour. Gina, our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful the whole day through. Puffing Billy is an amazing experience and watching hundreds of penguins come in from tRead more”
Spend 8 to 12 hours combining Melbourne’s Brighton Beach, a Puffing Billy steam-train ride through the Dandenong Ranges, The Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. An English and Chinese speaking driver-guide handles transport, tolls, parking, and tickets, with Maru Koala Park available at extra cost.
“Lots of activities through out the day, which was nice. However, it was a very high tempo so it was hard to enjoy the stops as we had to rush through them a bit. It said the Puffing Billy would've been approx 45 minutes but it was over after 20 minutes, which felt a bit like we didn't get what we were promised. Would've loved to be able to stay longer at the penguin parade stop, since the penguins were a bit late that evening so we had to leave in the middle of their arrival. One thing that felt a bit weird was the Maru Koala and Animal Park,…”
Spend 12 hours travelling from Melbourne to Phillip Island with an English and Chinese-speaking guide. Ride the Puffing Billy steam train, visit the Nobbies, choose an optional animal park stop, and watch the Penguin Parade. Recent departures have included guides Ken and David Chen.
“terribly, journey was cut short, (time and places both were less), most time on road, (speed was lower, average 15km/h lower than speed limit). penguin island only had 15 minutes ( compare brochure 1.5 hour stay). not worth it.”
Ride the historic Puffing Billy steam train, stop at Maru Koala and Animal Park, see The Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins come ashore. Your guide handles the long day from Melbourne, with train and standard Penguin Parade tickets included. Mandarin may be the main tour language, with English translation available.
“Actually primarily cater for chinese tourist but overall my experience is very good with them! Our guide (english name John) was very accommodating and is quite chill. Great services”
Spend 11 hours beyond Melbourne’s CBD with a bilingual English or Chinese guide. See Brighton’s Bathing Boxes, explore Healesville Sanctuary, visit Rochford Winery, and ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges. Ken has earned special praise for his kind, dependable guiding.
“I highly recommend to double check the pick up location if joining this tour to prevent unnecessary conflict with tour guide: We were noticed to change the pick up point a day upon our tour from a walking distance to ~15min vehicle travel. Yet, another parties were picked up in our original spot. We enquired our tour guide, Devin about the new arrangement and he repeatedly insisted that was the instruction he received in a considerably unprofessional manner. We understand mistake could occur but an inappropriate response wouldn’t solve any problem but deliver negative impressions. In the end of the tour, Devin finally apologised a bit more sincerely, he suggested…”
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![[Private Tour] Healesville Sanctuary Wildlife & Puffing Billy Steam Train - Healesville Sanctuary and its native Australian animals](https://1.therailtraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/private-tour-healesville-sanctuary-wildlife-puffing-billy-steam-train.jpg)
