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Puffing Billy Railway
4.6
9878 reviewsAbout
Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, situated in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and only 60-minutes 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.
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.
What's Available
25 featuresATEC Korea Host
Australian Tourism Export Council
Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Barbeque
Cafe
Carpark
Coach Parking
Conference/Convention Facilities
Enquiry Desk
Family Friendly
Food and Refreshments
Gallery / Museum
Interpretive Centre
Kiosk
Lawn / Gardens
Lookouts
Non Smoking
Parents Room
Picnic Area
Public Toilet
Shop / Gift Shop
Free Wifi
History & Heritage
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Nearby places
Reviews & Ratings
Zahra Mirzaei Fashami
Google review
Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful and interesting experiences you can have in Victoria. Let me tell you about my experience from the beginning. We went as a group of four, and you need to book your tickets a few weeks in advance. I definitely recommend getting the train tickets, because if you go there and don’t ride the train and just use the area, you’ll probably regret it. When I got on the train, there were a couple of things that disappointed me a bit. First, many people had arrived about half an hour earlier and taken the seats with the best views. Since there are no assigned seats, even though we had tickets, we couldn’t really see much of the scenery. For the return trip, we arrived earlier so we could get better seats. Another point is that the train isn’t very comfortable, and sitting for a while can make your legs and back ache a bit. However, the scenery you see along the way is absolutely worth it. Also, some coal smoke comes into the cabins, and small coal particles may land on your face and clothes. Personally, I didn’t mind this because the whole idea of Puffing Billy is to experience what train travel was like in the old days. The restaurants along the way weren’t very good either the prices were high and the quality was low. I recommend bringing some snacks with you so you don’t have to eat there. People who leave near by were so lovely and waved when they seen us and if you have some fiends coming to Melbourne I definitely recommend go there with them.
Ray Mak
Google review
The Puffing Billy Railway is located about 50 kilometers from Melbourne city centre. Our bus ride took roughly an hour, bringing us from the urban landscape into a tranquil countryside surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air. As one of Victoria’s most beloved tourist attractions, Puffing Billy offers a nostalgic glimpse into Australia’s historic steam railway era. It even passes through charming stops like Menzies Creek, adding to its old-world charm. I truly enjoyed the scenic journey aboard the steam-powered train. The rhythmic sound of the engine, the gentle breeze, and the panoramic views of forests and rolling hills made the ride incredibly relaxing. One of the most remarkable moments was when the train crossed the iconic wooden trestle bridge — a breathtaking sight that perfectly captures the romance of classic rail travel. Puffing Billy Railway is definitely a must-visit if you’re in Melbourne. The surrounding area also has wonderful dining options, including many family-owned restaurants serving hearty and authentic Australian cuisine. I’ll be sharing more about one particular restaurant in a separate review — it featured a beautiful grand piano, and I even had the opportunity to perform on it. It was truly a memorable experience, and one I would happily revisit again.
Yuki KOIZUMI
Google review
First time on the Puffing Billy Railway, and it was an amazing experience overall. The kids looked really happy, enjoying the scenery and feeling the wind. On the way back, I also enjoyed sitting on the edge of the carriage with my legs out, taking in the view all the way home. It turned out to be such a memorable experience. I’ve already promised myself to come back with family and friends!
Just Hadas
Google review
We visited Puffing Billy and really enjoyed the experience. We discovered it by chance after seeing an advertisement at the airport, and were pleasantly surprised. We took the 10:00 AM ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, where you have about an hour to spend. There’s a café at the Lakeside station, but the sandwiches weren’t great. I’d recommend bringing your own food and enjoying it by the lake. The train ride itself is fun and unique. We’re a couple in our 30s and weren’t sure if this would suit our age, but it definitely did and we had a great time. Tips: tickets are assigned by carriage number, so arrive early to get a good seat. When boarding from platform 2, sit on the side facing the platform for better views. One downside is the cancellation policy: there are no refunds or flexibility, even for cancellations made well in advance. While we didn’t need to cancel, we feel this is something that could be improved, and for that reason we removed one star.
Ellie Brook
Google review
Such an amazing experience. There’s a cute cafe and gift shop while you wait. You can dangle your legs out of the carriage or just sit or stand. It goes for a good while and then you stop at a lake where you get over an hour to explore (also a cafe and gift shop), then hop back on the train and journey home. The staff are super friendly and I had such a good day. I also went alone and felt totally fine as everyone was super nice. You can be solo, with friends, couples and families.
Get in touch
Where you'll be
1 Old Monbulk Road
Belgrave VIC 3160