By rail · WILDLIFE
Good wildlife trips sell the seats before the fares, and the best ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
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 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.”
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”
From Anchorage, ride south through Portage Valley to see bears, moose, bison, and elk, then reach Alyeska Resort and its 2,300-foot tram. Expect a small group, guide commentary, wildlife photos, and about six to seven hours on the road. Confirm the tram and guide details before booking.
“Alyeska itself is beautiful and fun, especially if you don’t have a lot of time but want a quick getaway from Anchorage. This really isn’t a tour, though, more like a group Uber ride. You’ll stop a couple places along the way, but mainly you’re just taking a van to Girdwood. When we got out the driver just told us when he’d be back to pick us up, but didn’t really offer any guidance on where the shuttle to Alyeska was, what it looked like, how often it ran, etc. We figured it out, but you’d think they could at least include a schedule or picture of the shuttle. Something.…”
Travel from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then continue to Girdwood for free time. AWCC admission and transport are included. Alyeska Tram tickets and your return Girdwood Express ticket are extra, so plan those costs before departure.
“Canceled trip because leave times changed and did not fit into our schedule and was harassed all night long via text messages”
You’ll ride the century-old Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, visit Moonlit Sanctuary for kangaroos and koalas, and stop at Brighton Bathing Boxes. A private driver-guide such as Tom or Woody handles transport and timing, but train and sanctuary tickets must be arranged ahead.
“Very very wonderful experience, my son and daughter really love. We saw train and many wildlife. The train tickets are extremely hard to get and our guide Tom helps us to purchase. Thank you team. Highly recommended.”
![[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)
Spend about eight hours with a private English or French-speaking guide, visiting Healesville Sanctuary and riding Puffing Billy. Russell and Francois are named guides connected with the experience. Hotel or port pickup, a luxury vehicle, entry tickets, water, and a flexible schedule are included.
“Amazing experience.The places are scenic. Thanks Russel for explaining everything with humor which makes our day even funnier”
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